Rav Shlomo Kluger explained that often, when a person is in a state of trouble, he makes a promise that when he is saved, he will sacrifice a korban Todah, as it says (Tehillim 66:14): “Asher patzu sefasai vediber pi batzar li.” But this korban does not come from the person’s desire to sacrifice a korban, because the person would prefer that he should not have had this trouble in the first place, and he would not have to bring a korban as a result.
In fact, the right and more effective way is to precede by bringing the korban willingly, before the tzarah arises, and as Chazal say regarding tefillah (Sanhedrin 44b): “A person should always precede with tefillah, as the Torah says “Vechi sizbechu zevach shelamim l’Hashem – lirtzonchem tizbechu,” don’t wait for the trouble to come that will compel you to bring a korban. Rather, bring the korban willingly first, before the tzarah strikes, and thus you will prevent it from coming in the first place.
Imrei Shefer
