פרשת אחרי מות
הוראה
The revelation on Yom Kippur of the level of Yechidah should effect throughout the year to fulfill Torah and Mitzvos on a level of inner desire (and not as an obligation)
תוכן
Not only did Nadav & Avihu not sin, but they brought into the Mishkan such a level of kedusha which sanctified the Mishkan. Their avodah involved a voluntary offering of ketores on the inner altar, expressing a deep, inner connection, accomplishing more than the (prescribed) service of Moshe & Aharon.
בקרבתם טז, ב
לקוטי שיחות חלק לבא
Outer Altar
elevating physical to G-d – external aspect of Avodah using garments - קרבן- to draw close
Inner Altar
to unite with G-d through the fire of Koteres – internal aspect of Avodah cleaving to G-d with emotions and intellect - קטרת - to bind
הוראה
One should attempt to cover and reduce one’s energies in mundane matters; but in holy matters the energy should be “uncovered”
תוכן
Mitzvah of covering the blood indicates one’s involvement in the world should not be done with one’s full life-force; however, one should apply one’s passions to one’s spiritual pursuits
וכסהו בעפר יז, יג
לקוטי שיחות חלק לז
Levels of Blood Levels of Involvement with the World
- Blood of Chayos & Birds, one is obligated to cover
Worldly matters that pose potential obstacles, a person needs to be careful in order not to stumble and go down from one’s level - Blood of (chullin) domesticated animals, one is not obligated to cover
Worldly matters that one could be used for holy purposes, one should seek to attach them to holiness - Blood of Korbanos are sprinkled on the Altar
Holy matters (Torah, prayers, and Mitzvos) one should give one’s entire life force
An undomesticated animal or a bird that may be eaten and he spilled its blood and he shall cover it with earth. Why does this law apply only to a "chayah" (undomesticed animal) and "ofe" (a bird), but not to a "beheimoh," a domesticated animal?
The Rokei'ach in #319 says that this is based on a medrash that says that when Eliezer returned with Rivkah to his master Yitzchak, he said that if Yitzchak finds that she has no virginal blood it is not because Eliezer violated her. It is because during their return she fell off the camel and her virginity was broken. They retraced a bit of their steps and found where this happened. The blood was protected by undomesticated animals and birds. The Rokei'ach says that because domesticated animals did not come to take part in the protection of the blood, they do not merit having this mitzvah done with their blood. (Chid"a in Chomas Anoch)
