----- Forwarded Message -----From: "Rabbi Moshe Revah" <htcnews-htc.edu@shared1.ccsend.com>To: "mates57564@aol.com" <mates57564@aol.com>Sent: Thu, Apr 11, 2024 at 6:11 PMSubject: Dvar Torah from the Rosh HaYeshiva
Dear Yeshiva Family:
In this week's parshah, the Torah discusses the Korbanos that a woman who has given birth is required to bring. The pasuk (12:8) states that she must bring two birds, one for an Olah – a burnt offering, and one for a Chatas – a sin-offering. Rashi points out that even though the sin-offering is offered first, the Torah mentions the Olah first.
The Gemara (Zevachim 90a) makes an enigmatic comment: "with regards to the 'reading,' the Olah is first." Rashi on the Gemara explains that statement with the above point, that in our parshah the Olah is mentioned first even though it is offered up second. Tosfos disagrees and states that the Gemara does not intend to tell us the order mentioned in the Torah, for one can just go and look that up, but Rashi obviously feels the Gemara is making this point, that although a sin offering is offered up first, the olah is mentioned in the Torah first.
Perhaps we can explain that the Gemara, and the unusual order in the pasuk, is coming to describe to us a correct way of approaching life. We are, of course, familiar with the dictum that in plotting a direction for self-growth one should first shun evil, sur mera, and then do good, aseh tov (Tehillim 34:15). That is indeed the way a person should go about offering korbanos as well. First, one brings a sin offering and in doing so learns the lesson to abstain from sin; and then he is ready to bring a korban Olah, which is an offering of doing good, of bringing a korban to Hashem and moving in a positive direction!
However, this begs a question, how are we to convince people to abstain from evil? Someone in the throes of sin is not inspired to suddenly change course, nor may he be capable of doing that. The Torah is therefore explaining a method of kiruv, detailing that a way of bringing a person to the correct path is by giving him a vision of the beautiful life he can live if he abides by the Torah. This is what it means with regard to the "reading." When discussing a life of an Orthodox Jew with others, and even more importantly with oneself, one should extoll the virtues of the korban Olah, a life of bliss and fulfillment, a life of rich harmonious relationships, with family, community and Hashem. A life of real self-contentment and joy. We show the brochure: this is what life can be if one buys into the system and runs his life accordingly. It is not a 'tough' life at all, not a life of rules and restrictions but a life of enjoyment, fulfillment and satisfaction. This is represented by reading and talking about the Olah, talking about the good parts of life, allowing glimpses and tastes into the world of a beautiful Shabbos seudah, of being part of an amazing society, of living a harmonious married life, and all this is represented by the Korban Olah. Then, once one has a lofty goal set for his life, he can start working on eradicating the mitigating factors standing in the way of achieving his goal. That is the practical work of the Chatas. Having turned from evil and started on the path of self-growth and improvement, the korban Chatas, he can then start journeying into the world of beautifying himself, bringing his korban Olah and leading the full life the Korban Olah represents.
It is tough to explain to someone who has not tried the "Torah system" that it enables one to have a fulfilling life. How can it be that a life with so many restrictions is pleasant? Harder still, is explaining this to someone who is part of the system but does not follow its rules, believing that it will make his life restricting and overbearing, and therefore he rebels. Trying to explain to such a person that the correct method of teshuva is by starting to avoid his "evil" ways will not meet success. The only way is to change this person's perspective is to sell him on the "good" parts of the system, to depict the true colors of the picture showing how this life is really good. Allowing him a taste of something special, and then he will be able to work on the 'sur mera'!
This is true about every aspiration one has in life. For a person to be successful he must set both long- and short-term goals. A long-term goal is the vision he wishes to aspire to, the ultimate destination for what he wishes to achieve in life. Having such a goal will provide motivation even when the going gets tough, for he will always have the drive to fulfill his vision. Short-term goals are the small steps that he needs to make to get there. A person must dream big and have big goals and a long-term vision, but then practically he must get to work on a reachable goal that can inform his short-term growth.
One must be realistic with himself and set goals that are manageable. Setting immediate goals that are unrealistic and above his abilities is counterproductive, for aside from certainly not helping, they are detrimental. They can use up one's idealism and stamina for an unachievable goal. But at the same time, one has to have a long-term vision. He has to know what is his final goal and projected outcome , something to provide overall direction in life. He has to know that there are levels above what he is working to achieve now and to recognize that even after he reaches his current goals, there will be even higher levels for him to reach.
This is the lesson we can learn from the statement that the "reading of the olah is out of order." The olah provides the ultimate goal, and the Chatas is the practical small steps to get there. Practically, one must first rid himself of sin, bad influences and misdirection. Only afterward should he work on levels that are symbolized by the korban Olah, levels that demonstrate doing good, of dedication to Hashem. However, in the reading of the korbanos, in the understanding and the setting of the goals, there must be an overriding goal, an ultimate direction that one must have, and then from there he should plot smaller goals. First understand the overall goal, the Olah, the ultimate dedication to Hashem, and then incorporate the smaller more doable daily goals, beginning with getting rid of sin and fixing up oneself.
Young people should envision what they want their life to look like when they are older. They should dwell on this vision for a bit, and work on it, imagining exciting details that will inspire them. Imagine themselves leading a Shabbos table, how they want their family to look, their ability to provide for their family, how they envision their role in shul, etc. This vision of themselves is a long-term goal to work towards. This is a vision that will give them direction. That will help in their decision making throughout life. If a dilemma presents itself, a decision can be reached far more easily with a long-term goal in mind, because they will know if that decision will divert or lead them toward their goal. To achieve this dream, there has to be a path toward the goal. That path is built upon a multitude of small goals, built to climb towards the overall goal. This is the best recipe for success in life.
Perhaps this is why many times a marriage starts off with such passion. Hashem blessed us with the ability to get infatuated at the beginning of a relationship to show how it can feel if one really works at it for 20 years. This could be your everyday if you work. Hashem allows us a glimpse of the 'olah', the good to come, if we build carefully and correctly to that goal.
Hashem should help us all in the journey towards a happy fulfilled life, working towards a goal of self perfection and helping the rest of the world on the way!
Rabbi Moshe Revah
Rosh HaYeshiva, HTC - Beis HaMidrash LaTorah
HTC
Hebrew Theological College is a member of Touro University
and a partner with the Jewish United Fund in serving our community
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Fw: Dvar Torah from the Rosh HaYeshiva
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