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Moshe Levy returns home after an exhausting day at work. He parks his car in front of his house, turns off the lights and a moment before he turns off the engine, and takes out the keys, he hears a thundering noise. His car window shatters into pieces and a basketball hits him in the head
The parsha that begins the book of Vayikra-Leviticus starts with a discussion of the various sacrifices that were to be offered in the Mishkan, the portable Sanctuary in the desert, and later in the Beis HaMikdash, the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
A significant portion of the third book of the Torah—Leviticus—deals with sacrifices brought as atonement for sin. At the end of this week’s parsha, the Torah states:
The Torah, in this week’s parsha, speaks of one who must atone in the event he may have committed a transgression but is unsure. He must bring an asham-a guilt offering. Although there was neither intention nor malice, nevertheless the Torah demands that he make atonement for the mere possibility that he had transgressed.
The Biblical book of Leviticus (VaYikra) is devoted to the laws of the various offerings in the Bais HaMikdash. This week’s parsha, Tzav, speaks of the Ola Mincha, Chatas, Asham and Shlamim offerings, among others.
Many of the commandments recorded in the book of VaYikra, and more specifically, in this week’s parsha, revolve around the offerings the Jews were required to bring to the Bais HaMikdash.
How can it be that no one opens his mouth in protest?! If the Jewish people would ask and plead, bang on the table and demand that Moshiach Tzidkeinu should come immediately, “now!” – Moshiach would be here already, arriving even on Shabbos!
We cannot lull ourselves into thinking that the Redemption is far off and that it is an elusive goal. That is tantamount to one who places G-d on a “pedestal” and maintains that He is beyond our reach. We must approach our requests for Moshiach and Redemption as requests for things that are within range, nay, that they are right outside our doorway standing on the threshold.
The ultimate manifestation of the korban ideal will be realized in the Messianic Age. First, the Temple offerings will be reinstated as the Torah states, and we make reference to it countless times in our liturgy. Second, all of existence will undergo the process of korban-elevation, not sacrifice.
Since he has a connection with the Rebbe, he is compelled to behave as a chassid. * There is no alternative. One must fulfill the directives of the leader of the generation!
March 15, 2019