Thoughts that Count For Our Parsha
A person who brings close [offers] from you a sacrifice to G-d. (Lev. 1:2)
Grammatically, "A person from among you who brings close a sacrifice," would have been more correct. But, the Torah teaches us a lesson from the order of the words. If you wish to be close, it comes "from you" - it is only dependent on you. Any Jew who wishes, can reach the lofty heights of closeness to G-d attained by our great forebears. (Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak of Lubavitch, the Previous Rebbe)
Writes Rabbi Shenur Zalman, founder of Chabad Chasidism: "A person who brings close" - in order that a person becomes closer to G-d - "from you a sacrifice to G-d" - he must bring the offering of himself. He must sacrifice his personal "animal," the desire for evil that is called the animal soul. (Hayom Yom)
Do not leave out the salt. (Lev. 2:13)
The salt was an integral part of the sacrifices. Though not edible on its own, salt adds flavor to the entire meal. The same is true regarding Torah. Chasidism, the inner secrets of Torah, though not widely understood because of its profundity, provides the flavor and background for the remainder of the Torah. (Rabbi Shneur Zalman)
You may not burn any leaven or any honey as a fire offering to G-d. (Lev. 2:11)
"Any leaven" is a person who is moody or melancholy. In the morning or evening, on Shabbat, holidays or weekdays, he is always sour. "Any honey" is one who is always pleasant and sweet. Whatever happens, he's always smiling. "You may not burn [either of them] as a fire offering to G-d!" You cannot properly bring a sacrifice to G-d from either of these emotions. A person must rule his character traits, even his positive attributes. For surely there are times when one must be "leaven" and times when one must be "honey." (Rabbi Shmuel of Lubavitch)
Reprinted from the Parashat of Vayakhel 5763/2003 edition of L’Chaim