Close Calls

This week we begin the third of the Five Books of Torah, Chumash Vayikra, the Book of Leviticus. From the prohibition against speaking ill of others and the laws of Kashrus to the well known phrase "love your fellow as yourself", this part of Torah is filled with fascinating and important Torah concepts.

One, however, that some of us have difficulty understanding is the concept of Korbanos, animal sacrifices. People wonder, "How does the ritual sacrifice of an animal on the Temple Alter help atone for my inadvertent sins?"

With some thought, analysis and learning we can come to understand and appreciate the concept of Korbanos. Our Sages teach us that during creation Adam and Eve were created last to teach us both the nobility of man as well as the importance of humility.

Though it may not be politically correct, Judaism teaches us that in the hierarchy of creatures, man reigns supreme! Only mankind was created in the Almighty's image and has a divine mandate. We were put on this world to show that all of creation was prepared for him to accomplish his noble task to study His Torah and fulfill His commandments. By serving the Almighty in this way we perfect our souls, control our base instincts and elevate even mundane tasks into holy ones! Therefor mankind was created last. If on the other hand we don't live up to our divine responsibilities, then, in a sense we are less than the animals so creation teaches mankind humility, for the fly itself tells us "I was here before you!"

So by sacrificing an animal, we remind ourselves that we need to behave in a way that we earn the title of being elevated above all creatures. One way it does this is because of the difficulty we have with Korbonos. The feelings of compassion we have for the animal that is here to help us atone for our sin can itself be a motivation for us to repair the spiritual damage our actions have caused.