Parshas Vayikra | The Scent of Spirituality by Rabbi Ari Wasserman

Parshas Vayikra | The Scent of Spirituality

“…a burnt offering, [with] a pleasing fragrance to Hashem” (Vayikra 1:9).

Vayikra, the third of the Five Books of Moses, begins by enumerating various korbanos (sacrifices) to be brought to Hashem in the Mishkan. The first of these is the burnt offering.

What Really Counts

In the Torah, animal, bird, and meal offerings alike are described as providing a “pleasing fragrance to Hashem,” teaching us that it doesn’t matter how great or small one’s sacrifice, provided that his heart is turned to Heaven (Menachos 110a). In other words, it’s the thought that counts.

But don’t deeds count too? Two people may be equally sincere, but if A spends far more on his sacrifice than B, shouldn’t Hashem value A’s offering more?

Not necessarily. It all depends how much each person has to give.

Hashem doesn’t need our sacrifices. What He wants is our self-sacrifice. If A and B are each giving as much as they can, their self-sacrifice is equal, so their offerings are equally pleasing to Hashem. (Ta’am VeDa’as)

The Sweetest Smell

The “pleasing fragrance” of our sacrifices is only as pleasing as our thoughts and deeds. We shouldn’t think our korbanos alone atone for our sins. Rather, our offerings are only a “pleasant fragrance” if we improve from now on. Otherwise, Hashem says, “What use are your many sacrifices to Me?” (Yeshayahu 1:11).

Just as a pleasant fragrance emanates only from a fragrant source, our sacrifices must reflect our own goodness, our repentance and sincere efforts to draw near to Hashem.

Likewise, the Hebrew term olah (burnt offering) literally means “ascending,” not only because the offering itself ascends to Heaven, but because the person bringing it is ascending in his service of Hashem. (HaKesav VeHaKabbalah)

Question for Discussion:

In serving Hashem – and in general – sometimes our good intentions exceed our actions. When have you wanted to do so much more than you were able to?