Devar/5768/Vayikra
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עברית
English
When any man of you bringeth an offering unto the LORD (Lev 1:2)
There are many who say that the book of Leviticus doesn't interest them, because it speaks mainly about "impractical" commandments. Not only that most of the commandments are directed towards the Tribe of Levy, but also because they deal with the sacrificial system -- and that subject is very far from the conciousness of the wider public. There are some who say there is no need to delve into these subjects deeply, because we won't need to bring sacrifices, God forbid!
It is puzzling how religious Jews, who keep the commandments could express such opinions. It is difficult to imagine that God would dedicate such a large portion of the Torah to "impractical" matters! All the details of the commandments of the sacrificial system indeed are relevant and we must perform them according to the halachah, as brought precisely in the "Mishne Torah" -- but because of our sins and our lack of interest, the Holy Temple remains destroyed.
Because the sacrificial system contains many commandments which are for all generations, we must learn it and repeat our learning, and prepare ourselves for that day (may it be soon!) on which we once more will be able to bring our elevation offerings, and our sin offerings; our freewill offerings and our Pesach offerings. Because it is God's will, may He be blessed, to bring us closer to Him not only through prayer, good deeds and Torah study; but also by means of the sacrificial system. Without the Holy Temple and the sacrificial system, we are still in Exile, even when we inhabit our Land.
By building the Holy Temple, we will bring peace to the world. We will accept the elevation offerings of all gentiles who wish to bring them (See Laws of the Sacrificial System chapter 3); and the prophet says: Even them will I bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer; their burnt-offerings and their sacrifices shall be acceptable upon Mine altar; for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples (Isa 56:7). On the other hand, not every Jew will be able to bring an offering: A Jew who practices idolatry, or who transgresses Shabbat in public -- we do not accept his offerings at all. Even the elevation offering, which we accept from a gentile -- we do not accept from this idol-worshipping Jew, as the verse states: "When any man of you bringeth an offering". From tradition we have learned -- "of you", and not "all of you"; to exclude the idolater. But if the Jew was purposefully transgressing other commandments, we do accept his offerings, in order that he return in repentance. (Laws of the Sacrificial System 3:4)
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