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So what is the deeper message being transmitted here, through the medium of the korbanot?
The Rambam offers 2 reasons for bringing the korbanot: One is that korbanot were a means of weaning the Jewish nation from the then-prevalent cult of idolatry. But this reason is rejected by the Ramban & others, who remind us that korbanot preceded idolatry, as indicated
by the fact that Noach & even the family of Adam – the very first human – brought offerings to G-d!
So Maimonides suggests another idea: Animals were among the things which were worshipped by the nations (e.g. the sheep by ancient Egypt, or cows which are worshipped even today in India) & so bringing an animal for a korban indicates the superiority of Man over the animal kingdom!
Nachmanides counters with his approach: He says that when one offers up an animal, it is as if he himself deserves to die for his sins, but the animal is being sacrificed in his place (just as a ram was offered up by Avraham at the Akeida, in place of his son Yitzchak). This should
give the person bringing the offering great pause, as he realizes that he is culpable for his actions & should serve to humble him before G-d.
And so we have these twin, seemingly opposite emotions at work: Hubris & Humility. A person, on the one hand, must recognize that he is Hashem’s greatest creation, a marvelous creature endowed with a holy neshama, far above the animal kingdom. At the same time, we are
always at G-d’s mercy, a frail & fragile being who sins, & must appeal for Divine clemency & compassion.
This, I suggest, should be the posture of the newly-elected (or re-elected) Knesset. Appreciate the fact that you have been elevated to one of the highest positions in the entire world, the leadership of the Jewish People, that you are now a Chosen among the Chosen. At the same
time, do not let it go to your head; do not believe that you are above review or reproach. While we hope you will not become a korban, be prepared to sacrifice for the nation & to offer all your many talents to its diverse citizens.
Good luck – you will need it!
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Moreshet Shaul Hashem Is your Shadow – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 420 – an address from 1941
P'ninat Mishpat A Non-Contractor in Changing Times – part I
(based on ruling 85128 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Moreshet Shaul Our King on Rosh Hashana, Our Father on Yom Kippur.
Based on Aroch Siach, p. 221 (Rav Shaul Yisraeli)
P'ninat Mishpat A Non-Contractor in Changing Times – part II
(based on ruling 85128 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Moreshet Shaul Hashem Is your Shadow – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 420 – an address from 1941
Parashat Hashavua Happiness for the Right Reasons
[With painful longing, we share these divrei Torah from our co-Rosh Kollel for close to 40 years, Harav Moshe Ehrenreich zt”l.]
