The Mitzvah of Sacrifice

March 15-16, 2013 / 5 Nisan 5773

Shabbat Vayikra

Torah Portion: Leviticus 1:1-5:26 / Haftarah Portion: Isaiah 43:21-44:23

"The Mitzvah of Sacrifice"

Dear Friends,

This week we begin reading the third book of the Torah - the Book of Vayikra (Leviticus).  The style and subject material of Vayikra is completely different than anything found in the other books of the Torah - Bereisheet (Genesis), Sh’mot (Exodus), Bamidbar (Numbers) and D’varim (Deuteronomy).  In Vayikra we learn about the roles and responsibilities of the priests of Israel who come from the tribe of Levi, hence the Latin name for the book, Leviticus.  Much of the book focuses on the technicalities of offering proper sacrifices to God.

For some reason, we in the West have come to understand the word ‘sacrifice’ as something that we give up begrudgingly, because we have to - we have no choice.  When we make a sacrifice, we are often not happy about it…  Consider, rather, that the origin of the word ‘sacrifice’ is from the Latin ‘sacre’ or ‘sacred’ which means ‘holy.’  Furthermore, the Hebrew word for sacrifice is ‘korban,’ which means to ‘bring close.’

The message is this: when we give a sacrifice, when we give something of great value - time, money and more - to a family member, a friend, to Shir Hadash, to the Jewish community at large or the world, we are doing something that will bring great ‘holiness’ into the world.  We offer sacrifices to further a goal, carry a dream and support a cause that is of great spiritual value and deep meaning.  We offer sacrifices to ‘bring closer’ God’s presence in our lives.  We offer sacrifices to ‘bring closer’ our holy Jewish values and lessons to our community and to a world sorely in need of healing, guidance and direction.

As we enter the month of Nisan, the Jewish springtime month of Passover and our Jewish people’s celebration of freedom, consider the sacrifices that you can bring forth to our Shir Hadash community that will bring Judaism, holiness, spiritual value and meaning close to all our lives.

I wish you a healthy & happy Passover (first seder begins on Monday evening, March 25th).

Shabbat shalom.  

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

Rabbi Eitan’s Featherlight Matzah Ball Recipe

(Inspired by: The Complete Passover Cookbook, AvRutick)

2 Eggs

¼ tsp Salt

1/2 cup Matzah Meal

Separate eggs and whip egg whites to stiff peaks.  Beat egg yolks and salt together. Fold egg yolks into the whites.  Gently fold matzah meal into egg mixture.  Let rest for 10-15 minutes.

Wet hands with cold water.  With a light touch, form ¼ cup sized matzah balls.  Drop into simmering salted water or soup stock.  Cover and cook 20 minutes.