March 17, 2019 · 17:08:31
Part I.Understanding SacrificeGETTING HASHEM TO LIKE MEAs we read through this week’sparsha, and actually, the wholeSeder Vayikra,there’s a theme that’s constantly reiterated, and that’s the subject of finding favor in Hashem’s eyes. Now, if you would ask someone on the street how to get Hashem to like you, he might have some ideas. Maybe you should say the whole Tehillim a few times; or fast on Mondays and Thursdays. But ourparshadoesn’t leave the way to achieve Hashem’s favor up to our imagination. And surprisingly we’re told again and again that we can find the especial favor of Hashem by means of animal sacrifice. יקריב אותו לרצונו – “He shall bring it for his favor before Hashem” (Vayikra 1:3). לרצונכם תזבחוהו “For your favor you shall slaughter it.” לרצונך “For your favor” (see 19:5, 22:19, 22:29, 23:11).Now you should pay good attention to these words because it’s a very big thing to find favor in the eyes of Hashem; it’s actually the major achievement of life. I want to quote to you from the Chovos Halevavos (Shaar Avodas Elokim, Perek 3). He tells us that צריך שיתברר, “It must become clear to a person, שהתמורה עודפת עליו – that the effort he puts into making himself better in this world will be rewarded with a very great exchange.” He’ll get back much more than he puts in. If you improve yourself in this world, says the Chovos Halevavos, you’ll get much more back in return.What will you get? What’s the great thing you’ll get in exchange? Listen to the words of the Ch