Another new beginning!!! Parshas Vayikra. It's all about coming closer to Hashem!!!

"Vayikra el Moshe..../He (Hashem) called to Moshe.....(Vayikra 1:1)"

In our pasuk, Hashem called to Moshe. The Sifra tells us that He called in a loving way. Rashi tells us that the call was in a loud and thunderous voice, powerful enough, to shatter trees and to be heard throughout the world. Despite this, only Moshe was able to hear Hashem's voice. Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt"l, asks if it was not meant for the rest of the people to hear Hashem's voice, why was it necessary for Him to speak so loudly? and answers that even though Hashem's voice was loud enough for everyone to hear, the people were not worthy of hearing it. It was to teach every Jew in every generation to consider it as if he or she had been given each commandment by Hashem directly. From Rav Moshe's words, we can understand that our pasuk implies that Hashem always calls out to each person, even though he might not be consciously aware of it. The gemara in Brachos teaches us this as well. Thus Rabbi Nachman taught that every day, Hashem calls out to each person, sending all sorts of messages cloaked in the hints of each day's experiences - messages that come to a person in the form of his perceptions and the thoughts that pass through his mind, through the actions and deeds he is compelled to perform, the things that he is compelled to say and the things that are said to him. These hints provide a person with the necessary information he needs to be brought closer to Hashem. Therefore, Rabbi Nachman recommends that we must pay close attention to the "little occurrences" in our daily lives in order that we can determine the personal message Hashem is trying to convey. However, Rabbi Nachman warns that one should be moderate in this practice, for excessive analysis is not healthy and can damage a person spirituality, causing him to fall into the realm of evil. (Lekutei MoHaran 54:2)

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch says on our pasuk that it is most regrettable that we have no word which really reproduces the idea which lies behind the expression korban. The unfortunate use of the term "sacrifice" implies the idea of giving something up that is of value to oneself for the benefit of another, or of having to do without something of value. The other definition "offering" also is by no means an adequate expression for korban. The idea of an offering presupposes a desire on the part of the one to whom it is brought which is satisfied by the "offering" which is like a gift. But the idea of korban is never used for a gift. It is used exclusively with reference to man's relation to Hashem, and its meaning can only be understood from its root "karov" which means to approach, to come near, and to come into close relationship with somebody. The object and purpose of "hakravah" is the attainment of a higher sphere of life. The one bringing the korban desires that something of himself should come into closer relationship to the Almighty, Hashem, and the procedure by which this greater nearness to Hashem is to be achieved is called hakravah. This is really the answer to everything! Closeness to Hashem is the highest, and really the only conception of what is "good" ( "But as for me, Hashem's nearness is my good...." Tehilim 73:28) True happiness in life is dependent on to closeness to Hashem bottom line! Nothing else! In the halls of Hashem the problems of life solve themselves. Happiness in life rises and falls in accordance with the proximity or distance of Hashem to oneself. All prosperity loses its attraction if it entails estrangement from Hashem. Even suffering itself becomes exalted happiness in the nearness of Hashem to those who have refined their minds in the halls of the Sanctuary in order to get an understanding of true happiness. (Rabbi Hirsch's Commentary as quoted by Growth Through Torah)

Of the 613 mitzvot that appear in the Torah, 246 of them appear in sefer Vayikra. Many of these mitzvot deal with the korbanos that were brought in the Beis Ha'Mikdash. So what does that have to do with us? The Torah is supposed to help us in our daily lives? A few answers can be given to this question. 1)If we would desire the rebuilding of the Beis Ha'Mikdash, it would come quicker. By learning the intricate details of something it helps you not only understand that thing but also you appreciate that thing so much more. We also know that our teffilos are in place of the korbanos, so maybe if we try and better understand the korbanos we can better understand and therefore significantly improve our tefillos. And also withing all of these "details" we can find many beautiful lessons that we could apply to our lives.

May we merit to tune into Hashem's constant calling to us and through that come closer to Him from wherever we may be and then bring the Mashiach out of hiding so that he may help us in the building of the third and final Beis Hamikdash! Speedily! In our days! Amen!

Have a great Shabbos!!!

Peace & joy,

Etan