Parashat Vayikra

By Rabbi Shlomo Zargari:

Shalom to all,

This week’s parasha starts with a phrase which will be repeated many times:
אשה ריח ניחוח לה״,” offering by fire a pleasing aroma for HaShem.

And if ח״ו the nation sins, it says that HaShem “won’t accept the pleasing aroma,” meaning the offerings will not be pleasing. The reason is, as the verse in Yeshaya 1,11 says,
לָמָּה־לִּ֤י רֹב־זִבְחֵיכֶם֙ יֹאמַ֣ר ה׳ שָׂבַ֛עְתִּי עֹל֥וֹת אֵילִ֖ים וְחֵ֣לֶב מְרִיאִ֑ים וְדַ֨ם פָּרִ֧ים וּכְבָשִׂ֛ים וְעַתּוּדִ֖ים לֹ֥א חָפָֽצְתִּי׃
“What need have I of all your sacrifices?” says HaShem. I am sated with burnt offerings of rams, and suet of fatlings, and blood of bulls; And I have no delight in lambs and he-goats.

The story goes that there was a Rav of a big city who in his own right was wealthy and did not need a salary. Throughout the year he was extremely busy with communal services, making halachic decisions, giving classes and lectures, mediating quarrels, bringing shalom bayit, giving counsel etc… He would support the needy and give interest free loans. The whole community appreciated him and loved him.

On Purim everyone would send him Mishloah Manot to show their appreciation. There was a person who had a very hard time parting with his money. Reluctantly he would also send some money to avoid embarrassment. In the evening all the dignitaries gathered in the Rav’s house for the special seuda. When the Rav saw the stingy person he called him over and handed back to him the money he sent. The man stepped back… the Rav told him, “Please take, these are yours. I don’t want them.” The stingy man was taken aback and said, “If the Rav would return the gifts to everyone else as well, I would accept. You don’t like accepting gifts, but you accepted their gifts and you’re returning mine?”

The Rav answered, “I want you to understand. Everyone feels an appreciation and love for their Rav and throughout the year they want to show their appreciation. However they are busy with their affairs and livelihood. They can’t show their love. On Purim they aren’t busy, they are happy and want to show their good wishes. I accept all of it because it genuinely shows their feelings. You however, please forgive me, are naturally stingy and have a hard time parting with your money. All year you think only about yourself. When Purim comes you feel bad looking different from others and send some coins. That sums up your gift, no feelings, believe me I don’t need your handouts!”

HaShem does not want our offerings. If a person is trying to convey his true feelings, he wants to connect with his Creator and bring himself closer to Him, then it’s pleasing. But if he is distant and has no interest in connecting and just brings the offering to make himself look good or to feel good about himself, HaShem doesn’t need his offerings… Let’s remember, Tefila is like the offerings…

Shabbat Shalom