Mishkan – holy scribbles

The Power of Forgiveness

“For today the L-RD will appear to you.” – Leviticus 9:4

Upon the culmination of the inauguration of the mishkan and the kohein into the kehunah, certain offerings were brought. These included an offering to atone for Aaron’s role in the golden calf incident. Commentary notes that the offerings were prepared; however, the fire had not yet descended from the sky; so, Aaron grew concerned. His guilt in the sin of the golden calf compelled him to think that the delay was a sign that he had not been completely forgiven. At this point, Moses and Aaron entered the sanctuary.

While no reason is given in the actual passage found in Torah, commentary offers several explanations. One reason mentioned is that Aaron confided in Moses, concerning his shame about his role in the golden calf incident. He felt that, perhaps, HaShem was still angry with him. Thus, the two of them entered the sanctuary, in order to pray to HaShem to forgive Aaron. When they walked out of the sanctuary after praying, the fire descended upon the mizbeach, consuming the offerings.

HaShem is a righteous Judge; He does not harbor resentment or grudges against us when we sin; only, inasmuch that He calls us towards teshuvah (repentance) does He wait to bestow His compassion upon us, forgiving us completely for our transgressions.

IN our own lives, as human beings, we may harden our hearts towards others, even for perceived slights to our honor, status, or ego. We do ourselves an injustice, by closing ourselves off from others, whom we think have wronged us is some way.

Feelings of resentment may linger until a person forgives another for their trespass. Then, through forgiving the other, all is washed clean, and renewed in that relationship. Only the cleansing waters of forgiveness that refresh the soul, may bring a restoration to our lives, opening the way to increased camaraderie.

parasha Vayikra 5784

The completion of the Mishkan was followed by the manifestation of HaShem’s presence, in the form of a cloud that filled the Tabernacle, and prevented Moshe from entering. Then HaShem calls (vayikra) to Moshe from the Ohel Moed (Tent of Meeting); He proceeds with instructing Moshe to speak to B’nei Yisrael, concerning the bringing of a korban (offering). The Hebrew word, “korban” is derived from the shoresh (root word), קרב meaning to draw near. This implies that the individual draws near to HaShem through the bringing of an offering.

The passage continues by describing five general types of offerings. The olah represents spiritual elevation, because the entire offering is burnt on the mizbeach (altar), sending the smoke to shomayim (heaven). The word olah is connected to the word aliyah, meaning to ascend. Next, the meal offerings are mentioned: “And when any one bringeth a meal-offering unto HaShem” (Leviticus 2:1, JPS). Literally, the verse reads, “when a soul brings a meal offering.” This is because a poor person who brings a meal offering, it is as if he offers up his own soul” (Rashi).

Next, the Torah discusses shloshamim (peace offerings), meant to reconcile the person to G-d and man. After this, the chatas (sin offering), and the asham (guilt offering) are mentioned. Both of these were brought specifically to atone for sin. Yet. the olah, burnt offering could also be made on a voluntary basis to atone for impure thoughts. All of these offerings give us an indication of what we need to be concerned about in our relationship to HaShem.

parasha Pekudei 5784

weekly Torah reading: parasha Pekudei 5784

– The Inner Sanctuary of the Soul

“And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the ark of the testimony; as the L-RD commanded Moses.” – Exodus 40:21, JPS 1917 Tanach

The Power of Forgiveness

“For today the L-RD will appear to you.” – Leviticus 9:4

While no reason is given in the actual passage found in Torah, commentary offers several explanations. One reason mentioned is that Aaron confided in Moses, concerning his shame about his role in the golden calf incident. He felt that, perhaps, H’Shem was still angry with him. Thus, the two of them entered the sanctuary, in order to pray to the H’Shem to forgive Aaron. When they walked out of the sanctuary after praying, the fire descended upon the mizbeach, consuming the offerings.

The power of forgiveness is such that feelings of resentment may linger until a person forgives another for their trespass. Then, all is washed clean, and renewed in that relationship. H’Shem is a righteous Judge; He does not harbor resentment or grudges against us when we sin; only, inasmuch that He calls us towards teshuvah (repentance) does He wait to bestow His compassion upon us, forgiving us completely for our transgressions. Yet, as human beings, we may harden our hearts towards others, even for perceived slights to our honor, status, or ego. We do ourselves an injustice, by closing ourselves off from others, whom we think have wronged us is some way. Only the cleansing waters of forgiveness that refresh the soul, may bring a restoration to our lives, opening the way to increased camaraderie.