Commitment
A real commitment also requires a certain extent of self-sacrifice. Being that we have limited time, resources and energy, when we say yes to one person, client, or job, essentially we are also saying no to someone or something else.
In Yiddish there is a popular expression, “Mir Ken Nisht Tantzen Oif Tzvei Chasunos,” loosely translated, “we cannot dance at two weddings (simultaneously)”. While we make time for the things that are most essential to us, we are also sacrificing other comforts, luxuries or even important things that may not make it to the top of our to-do list.
A healthy marriage requires a solid commitment between two spouses. In Judaism, the wedding ceremony consists of two components: 1. Kiddushin (i.e. sanctification/dedication) which essentially forbids either spouse from intimate relationships with another person. 2. Erusin (i.e. marriage) which solidifies the marriage and confirms the obligations that the husband and wife must provide for one another. Judaism recognizes that marriage is a commitment and therefore will require a degree of sacrifice from both spouses. Making a commitment requires a degree of self-sacrifice but through it we come closer to our loved ones.
The same is true with regards to the relationship between each of us and G-d. Over 3000 years ago, at Mount Sinai, G-d declared the Jewish people as His chosen nation and we entered into a unique relationship with Him. While Judaism includes many positive Mitzvot, celebrations and opportunities, it also instructs us to refrain from doing certain things that are detrimental to our physical and spiritual wellbeing. Maintaining a vibrant connection with our Jewish identity also requires a certain amount of commitment and sacrifice. Instead of asking “What’s in it for me?” we train ourselves to ask “What is required of me?”. Judaism teaches us to serve a higher purpose and create a home for G-d on earth.
In this week’s Torah portion, Vayikra, we learn about the various sacrifices offered to G-d in the Temple. The Hebrew term for sacrifice is Korban which shares the root word of Kerov (i.e. close). Through sacrificing and offering something which is valuable to us for a higher G-dly purpose, we also become closer to G-d as a result. The sacrifices were a medium through which closeness and intimacy were established between G‑d and human beings, and in a broader sense, between Him and every aspect of the world at large. When a person brought a sacrifice, what he or she was doing was endeavoring to draw close to G‑d.
Although the literal service of the animal and meal sacrifices have not been offered since the destruction of the Temple close to 2000 years ago, the inner meaning behind this holy service is still relevant within each of us in our own daily lives.
Every person contains both a G-dly soul and an animal soul. The G-dly soul, which is literally a piece of G‑d, is infinite and unbounded and is completely selfless. The animal soul, however, is a part of our personality which is concerned with taking care of its physical needs; eating, drinking, working, sleeping, and doing anything else that will make us satisfied. One of the unique dimensions of a human being is that our brain has the ability to control our feelings and desires. But when a person allows the animal in themself to control their conduct, they do nothing with this human potential. This is the eternal lesson of bringing a sacrifice. It is a process of growth, in which a person elevates the animal inside of themself, and teaches it to look upward and appreciate a higher purpose by living a meaningful and elevated life.
While in the current era, a time of exile, we are focused primarily on containing and subduing our animalistic desires, in the time of redemption, when all evil will be removed from earth, we will no longer struggle with our animalistic instincts for we will instead fully transform and harness its passion towards positive living. As is stated in Zecharyah 13:2, “and the spirit of impurity I shall remove from the earth". We pray that we experience this reality speedily in our days!
