So Purim is getting closer and closer as we speak. It's so exciting. One of the many themes of Purim is understanding that Hashem runs the world. Throughout the entire Megilah, you will never see Hashem explicitly helping us or saving us. However, if you learn the Megilla according to Chazal, you will see that every single step along the way is from Hashem. There are many examples, and you can find this theme is almost every single passuk. Literally. In the spirit of Purim, maybe spend some time thinking about this: that Hashem really is watching our every actions, and He is right there behind us. We may not realize it, but He is following us from behind, and He will not let us fall. (Beautiful, no?)
I apologize, but I don't have any interesting stories this week. I couldn't think of anything exciting, but this is still an important thought.
In this week's Parasha, Parashat Vayikra, the Torah introduces to us the idea of giving korbanot. What are korbanot? Well, they are sacrifices/offerings, for lack of a better term, that we give to Hashem. There are many details and many different types of korbanot for different occasions. A few years ago, I was trying to explain to a five year old what a korban is, and I told him that a korban is a present that we give to Hashem. He liked that idea, so it works for me, too.
"Speak to the Children of Israel and say to them: When a man (אדם - Adam) among you brings an offering to Hashem, from animals, from the cattle or from the flock shall you bring your offering."
Here, Hashem says that when a man wants to bring a korban, he must follow certain guidelines. There are several words in Hebrew that can be used to describe "a man" - אדם (Adam), איש (Ish), נפש (Nefesh), and several others. All of these words mean "a man." However, the most prominent one is "איש (Ish)." Why is it that here, the Torah uses the word "Adam?"
The Gemara explains that "Adam" was specifically used in the context of korbanot to teach an important lesson. When Adam Harishon (the first man to have ever lived, Adam, as in Adam & Eve) was the only man on earth, he couldn't steal from anyone. That's because everything belonged to him. By consequence, when he brought a korban, he never stole the animal from someone else. Just as Adam never stole an animal to bring it as a korban, you may not steal an animal to bring it as a korban.
The obvious question is, why is it necessary to teach me that I can't steal an animal to bring as a korban? Of course you can't steal! Why would I ever think that I may steal an animal if I bring it as a korban? The Maharsha explains that one may rationalize and justify his thievery in the following manner: "I am not stealing for myself! I am stealing to give it as a korban, as a present to Hashem! After all, everything belongs to Hashem either way. I'm not really stealing anything. I'm just taking what's Hashem's and giving it Him." It is for this reason that it was necessary to insert the word "Adam" here, to indicate that one must not steal korbanot, just as Adam never stole an animal to bring it as a korban.
Many times, we may be inclined to do something wrong. However, we will justify our actions. We will find the best defenses to explain how we are, in fact, doing something correct. But deep down, we know when it's not true. May we all have clarity and not allow our minds to be clouded by our own perverse justifications.
And once again, I am sorry for boring you. I am not justified for doing that.
Shabbat Shalom
Avraham Adam Sabzevari
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