The Rebbe from Tosh quotes a powerful statement from the Kamarna in Parshas Vayikra. He writes that the Baal Shem Tov was able to see the refuos for all illnesses in the first pasuk of this parsha. This profound statement needs much explanation. What did the Besht see in the words, “Vayikra el Moshe?” The Tosh Rebbe explains the deep meaning of this statement based on the understanding of what is the purpose of korbanos and how they apply to us today when we don't have a Bais Hamikdash.
The Rebbe explains that our purpose here is to get as close as possible to Hashem and the idea is to remove the outer obstructions and physical layers that clog our spiritual connection to Him. Last Shabbos Kodesh when I was laining the parsha I felt like I was in the kishkes of the korbanos and when I was reading the word, “vehifshis” which means removing the skin of the animal, I realized that this is exactly what the Ramban wants us to think when the actual korban is being brought, that the objective is to see yourself so to speak being skinned and all the shmootz being discarded. Perhaps that is why the Torah emphasizes the rinsing of the intestines. We want to remove any residue from our insides. This also fits the words of Chazal that one should see and feel Hashem in his inner body.
The idea connects nicely to this week’s parsha which focuses on the Korban Olah which represents total dedication and elevation to Hashem and basically gets totally burnt on the mizbeach.
So how do we do this today? One way according to Chazal is to recite the verses of the korbanos which has the same effect as bringing them. But we can also experience the purpose of korbanos through the sacrifices that we make in life especially when it involves our midos. The verse in Tehilim says it all: Zivchai Elokim Ruach Nishbara-- the breaking of one’s spirit is a sacrifice to Hashem.
There are times in life when we are challenged with the need to work on ourselves and sacrifice our desires or our negative traits and it’s not easy. The key to our success is observing the mitzvah of Pesach which calls into play the mitzvot of Emuna and Bitachon. In as much as we understand that Hashem runs every aspect of our life, when a challenge is sent our way we must tap into the mitzvah of Emunah and grab the opportunity to make ourselves a small Korban to Hashem and thereby get close to Him.
Getting close to Hashem is our life time goal. We will fall and get up many times and may we be B”H zoche especially this coming Pesach to reach the personal and collective redemption from our boundaries and to connect to Hashem in the most intimate and high level possible.
by Rabbi Daniel Coren
