Cantor Arik Wollheim

Congregation Agudath Sholom
301 Strawberry Hill Ave
Stamford, CT 06902
(203)-358-2200

www.cas-stamford.org

Friday, March 19, 2010

Shalom From Stamford

Shabbat Parashat Vayikra
4 Nisan 5770
March 19 2010

Shalom,

     Last week's storm and the difficult consequences it imposed on everyone, really served to put things in perspective for us. Obviously, at a time like that, we realize how dependent we are on our creature comforts and our regular conveniences, and we see how quickly our lives can change. All it took was a flip of a switch, and we felt thrust back into the dark ages!  This should compel us to think carefully, and perhaps change our outlook and focus on what really matters.  
      We all felt that we were sacrificing something, yet the storm was not caused by anything that we intentionally did.  And what benefit did we get from a situation that could only be blamed on an "act of God.?"
     This week's parasha, Vayikra, is the first in the book of Vayikra, and also deals  to a great extent with the concept of korbanot, or sacrifices.  Most of the book, and large sections of Bamidbar and Devarim, deal with the details of korbanot.  These laws are complex and precise, and take up a lot more text than the entire creation of the world! 
      One question always comes up when talking about the korbanot.  What is the purpose of bringing a korban?  Do we really believe that God needs the poor animal to be slaughtered and burned on the altar?  Are we doing this for God, or for ourselves?  While there are many answers to this question, I would like to present one that resonates with me.According to Chazal, our sages of blessed memory, the primary purpose of bringing a korban is educational. The Torah wants us to recognize that if we were judged on the basis of our transgressions, we should have been on that altar.     
      However, our merciful God has agreed to "redeem" us in exchange for animal. There is a physiological process a man goes through while performing the ritual of bringing a korban.  According to Chazal, this process will eventually spur us towards teshuvah, or repentance, and promote a greater love of God.
       Despite the inconvenience, despite the sacrifices we had to make for a few days, or even despite the danger or destruction, the compassionate side of the people in our community was brought out during the power failure. Neighbors helped neighbors, and friends rescued friends, or just acquaintances, evoking an overall sense of brotherhood, since "we are all in this together."
      I only wish that we did not need to face  a storm such as the one  we just had, to acknowledge what are important priorities and to bring out the best in all of us.  

 Shabbat Shalom from Stamford,



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