CHASSIDIC PEARLS BY RABBI LAZER BRODY PARSHAS VAYIKRA

(PLEASE LEARN THIS FOR A REFUA SHELAMA FOR THE GEDOLIM Rav Elyashiv -Yosef Sholom ben Chaya Musha, Rav Shteinman - Aaron Yehuda Leib ben Gitel Feiga, Rav Weiss - Yitzchak Tuvia ben Rikal, Rav Belsky - NAME ADDDED Chaim Yisroel ben Chana Tzirtel, Rav Yosef - Yaakov Chai ben Margalit Telzer Rosh Yeshiva, Yitzchok Izak ben Trina Rivka Harav Shlomo Leib Ben Miriam - HaRav Shlomo Brevda Harav Yeshaya Yaakov Ben Raizel - HaRav Yeshaya Yaakov Portugal Harav Meshulem Fish Ben Tziril - The Toshe Rebbe Harav Yitzchok Issac Ben Treina - HaRav Isaav Ausband for a refuah shleima b’soch kol cholei am Yisrael.)

"And the Kohen (Priest) shall burn all of it on the altar, a burnt-offering a fire-offering, a pleasing aroma to God" (Vayikra 1:9). The Olah, or burnt offering, is so important that it has the honor of being the very first sacrifice mentioned in Vayikra, the book of Leviticus. We therefore must ask ourselves, what's so special about the Olah, and what is its underlying message for all generations? * * * The King's Cabernet wines were the best anywhere. The rich brown soil of the sun-drenched royal vineyards yielded plump, premium wine grapes that surpassed those of the world's most famous chateau plantations. The King's wines were not for sale; they were given as rewards to those fortunate few who served the benevolent monarch with extraordinary dedication. The King made one stipulation with those whom he honored – they must bring there own perfectly clean oak-hewn cask. Without it, they could not claim their prize. For twenty years, the King's personal valet had served his master faithfully and steadfastly. On the occasion of a royal banquet in honor of the King's birthday, the monarch decided to pay a special tribute to his trusty servant. The King wanted all his subjects to see how even a simple servant could attain – with dedication – the prestige that's normally reserved for noblemen. The valet prepared an empty oak cask for his regal prize. The cask was clean, but it still had the musty aroma of the peasant wine that the he was accustomed to drink. "This cask is not yet fit for royal wine," said the King, "it's clean, but its strong aroma will overcome the delicate bouquet of my royal wine. We can't allow that!" "Then what must I do, Your Majesty?"