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Uh, what do you mean, "If/when?!" Make up your mind, please; is it "If?" or is it, "When?" After all, the two words are certainly not the same; one is optional, the other is obligatory! So which definition is the one that fits our pasuk?
Well, that is exactly Rashi’s point when he comments on the Hebrew word, "Im." Normally, he says, it would be translated as, "if." But on some rare occasions, the same word means "when." Such as in the verse, "Im – WHEN you will lend money to a fellow Jew in need…." No ifs, ands, or buts; you HAVE to help him. It’s just a question of when.
And here, too, in our pasuk, the Torah tells us that we must bring certain korbanot, whether we like it or not.
But hold on a second. I was always taught that "sacrifice" was a very bad translation of the word "korban." Because "sacrifice" implies that I am giving up something (usually money!) that I would much rather not part with. A better translation (and certainly a more "PC" one!) would be "offering," which has the connotation of something I do willingly, out of choice, in order to get closer to Hashem.
So how, then, can I be forced to do something willingly?! It’s a contradiction in terms!
Let’s try to unravel this riddle by taking our time-machine back to the beginning of humanity. Kayin brings a korban to G-d; but being that it is inferior, Hashem rejects it, & Kayin goes berserk. What was Kayin thinking?
Kayin said to himself, "Why does Almighty G-d need my offering; He has everything & wants for nothing! So I may as well not use up the best of my produce; I’ll just bring a simple, token bit of flax." But Hashem is not happy. Of course, it's true that He doesn’t need the offering; but He DOES want Kayin to give his utmost, to try his hardest, to excel in sharing. To learn to be a giver, & not only a taker.
And so it is with the whole concept of offerings – today represented by prayer. G-d demands that we bring offerings & that we pray, but not for His benefit. Ultimately it is we who are the recipients of the offerings we present, of those prayers we utter. And because G-d, the supreme parent, wants the best for us, He must sometimes make us do that which is right & in the end rewarding for us.
Perhaps that is why the word, "Im" has the same Hebrew letters as "Aym – mother." G-d, the Mother of all life, knows best!
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.