From the Teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, Z”tl Adapted by Rabbi Eli Touger
In this week’s Torah portion, Emor, we read about the care of newborn animals. “When an ox, a sheep, or a goat are born, for seven days it should remain under its mother’s care, from the eighth day and on it will be acceptable as a sacrifice to G-d.”
Later, in the same paragraph, the Torah commands us, “And you should not desecrate My Holy Name, that I may be sanctified amongst the children of Israel...”. What could possibly be the connection that brings these two laws together?
The newborn animals are symbolic of our emotions that our intellect, the mother, gives birth to. Rather than allow your emotions free reign, “Seven days it should remain under its mother’s care.” Allow your mind time to develop the emotion before expressing it.
This is especially important to remember in situations that are out of our control, meaning that they are clearly and directly from G-d. Especially when it is impossible to make sense of. Here we need to let our thought process the notion that G-d knows what and why He does these things. Our job is to find a way to sanctify G-d through these events, so that it changes us in a positive way.
Reprinted from the Parshas Emor 5783 edition of L’Chaim Living, a publication of the Lubavitch Youth Organization in Brooklyn. Adapted by Rabbi Yitzi Hurwitz from the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, yitzihurwitz.blogspot.com. Rabbi Hurwitz, who is battling ALS, and his wife Dina, are emissaries of the Rebbe in Temecula, Ca.
