Rav Chaim Ibn Attar, the Ohr HaChaim
“And Aharon drew near to the Mizbei’ach (Altar)” (9:8).
The Ohr HaChaim says that our pasuk alludes to the words of Chazal in the Yerushalmi (Makkos 2:6): Prophecy was asked what punishment sinners deserve and she replied that they deserved death, whereas Hashem in His mercy decreed that sinners bring a sacrificial offering to atone. The Ohr HaChaim explains the meaning behind the sacrificial offerings:
The primary purpose of the act of offering sacrifices is to affect the thoughts of the person who is bringing the Korban. He is to think how all the things that are being done to the offering should all really be done to him; really he is the one who deserves to be slaughtered and burned in the fire instead of the animal, and these thoughts atone for him.
This is why our pasuk says that Aharon drew near to the Altar – it means that he prepared himself to atone for the guilt of his soul, and he drew near to slaughter himself in the flames of the Altar. That is, he would now offer the calf as a sin offering instead of himself, and through Hashem’s mercy the calf would be accepted in his place.
We need to understand how this works, for we know Hashem swore to judge the world and all of Creation (Tanchuma Shoftim) and anyone who dares suggest that Hashem forgives and forgets is liable, may his own innards be forgiven (Yerushalmi Shekolim 5:1)! If so, how can a sinner, whose judgment is death, who is liable for corporal punishment as the Novi says (Yechezkel 18:4) get off with a sacrificial offering to atone?
The Ohr HaChaim suggests that when a sinner commits a transgression he loses his humanity and is transformed into an animal, as Chazal say in Sota 3a that a person only sins if a spirit of shtus (frivolity) enters into him. He is then transformed and becomes like a beast! On the day he repents, a human spirit enters him again, and he rises back up to the level of humans. We might ask, is it correct and proper to kill a human being for the actions of an animal? Therefore, a similar offering must be brought on the same level to atone for such bestial deeds. The acts of a beast will be atoned for by the sacrificial offerings of a beast.
When the sinner sees what is done to the beast and its sufferings, he can truly commiserate and empathize with his kindred, because he was liable and worthy of this very punishment for his own animal behavior.
These feelings of remorse save a person from his fate, as it says (Tehillim 36:7), Adam uveheima toshia Hashem – “Hashem shall save man and beast”. When man’s animal portion joins with his human mind, they are saved from punishment, when unworthy of the fate. Now we can see and understand how a sacrificial offering is truly part of Hashem’s justice, as it says (ibid.), “Your judgments are deep as a chasm, man and beast shall You save, Hashem”.
Praises for the Ohr HaChaim HaKodosh
I Heard it in Heaven
In this week’s Parsha, Shemini, on pasuk 9:15, the Ohr HaChaim concludes his commentary with the cryptic word shomati – “I heard this”, but does not specify where or from whom he heard the peirush. The holy Koidonover Rebbe used to say that he received a tradition that when the Ohr HaChaim said shomati, it means that he heard it from Shomayim, from Heaven! (Segulas Moshe)
Named for the Ohr HaChaim
Rav Aharon of Karlin-Pinsk related on Parshas Bolok 5753:
Rav Yehoshua Heschel Holtovski used to visit the tziun of the holy Rav Chaim ben Attar often and used each opportunity to daven and achieve salvations on behalf of others, especially in times of trouble. One time, his own young son became very sick; the poor babe’s life was in danger and the doctors had despaired of healing him by any natural medical means. Rav Holtovski went to the tziun of the Ohr HaChaim HaKodosh and davened and shed many tears for his son’s recovery. Afterward, he pledged to add the name “Chaim” to his son’s name in honor of the Ohr HaChaim. His prayers bore fruit and were answered; shortly afterward, his son had a miraculous recovery and was healed, completely regaining his strength! The child grew up to be Rav Chaim Yisrael Holtovski. (Shivchei Chaim p. 173)
Shabbos Nuch Dem Chulent
The Karliner Rebbe told one of his Chassidim that the best time to learn and study on Shabbos is after the chulent – “Der bester zeman fun lernen iz Shabbos nuch dem chulent!” Similarly, in one of his letters (Kisvei Kodesh p. 98), he wrote: “See to it that Shabbos after the seuda you do not lie down for a nap; instead, take a sefer and learn – and that study session should focus on the Ohr HaChaim HaKodosh.” (Kovetz Bais Aharon VeYisroel Year 18 Gilyon #5)
