In introducing the law of the chatas offering (Leviticus 6:18) and the asham offering (ibid. 7:1), the expressions ?zos toras hachatas? and ?zos toras ha-asham? are used. The Gemara (Talmud Menachot 110a) explains that one who studies the laws of these sacrifices is equated with one who actually brings them.
We don?t find this equation with any of the other mitzvot? Why is it true for sacrifices?
The Maharal (Tiferet Yisrael, Ch. 70) explains that a sacrifice elevates man beyond the purely material, animalistic dimension of his existence, thus bringing him closer to G-d. The study of Torah, which is Divine wisdom, has this elevating power. So, when man is unable to actually bring a sacrifice, he can achieve similar results through the Torah study of that sacrifice.
The Maharal teaches in numerous places that Eretz Yisrael is a land that transcends the purely material dimension of existence, which is why living there brings man closer to G-d. If one is not able to actually fulfill the mitzvah of living here, Torah study of the laws of that mitzvah should provide some compensation for what is lost by living outside of Eretz Yisrael.
As the study of those laws elevates man above the purely material dimension of existence, he may find that the barriers preventing him from living in Israel aren?t as insurmountable as they originally seemed.
Shabbat Shalom.
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Rabbi Shaya Karlinsky writes from Jerusalem.
Aloh Naaleh is an organization dedicated to building Aliya motivation among North American Jewry. Torah Thoughts contributed by Aloh Naaleh members appear in the Orthodox Union's Torah Insights publication. Contact Aloh Naaleh at aloh-naaleh@aaci.org.il.
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Spend Passover with Arutz Sheva at a resort in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv or Kfar Pines (near Hadera). Click here for info.
We don?t find this equation with any of the other mitzvot? Why is it true for sacrifices?
The Maharal (Tiferet Yisrael, Ch. 70) explains that a sacrifice elevates man beyond the purely material, animalistic dimension of his existence, thus bringing him closer to G-d. The study of Torah, which is Divine wisdom, has this elevating power. So, when man is unable to actually bring a sacrifice, he can achieve similar results through the Torah study of that sacrifice.
The Maharal teaches in numerous places that Eretz Yisrael is a land that transcends the purely material dimension of existence, which is why living there brings man closer to G-d. If one is not able to actually fulfill the mitzvah of living here, Torah study of the laws of that mitzvah should provide some compensation for what is lost by living outside of Eretz Yisrael.
As the study of those laws elevates man above the purely material dimension of existence, he may find that the barriers preventing him from living in Israel aren?t as insurmountable as they originally seemed.
Shabbat Shalom.
--------------------------------------------------------
Rabbi Shaya Karlinsky writes from Jerusalem.
Aloh Naaleh is an organization dedicated to building Aliya motivation among North American Jewry. Torah Thoughts contributed by Aloh Naaleh members appear in the Orthodox Union's Torah Insights publication. Contact Aloh Naaleh at aloh-naaleh@aaci.org.il.
************
Spend Passover with Arutz Sheva at a resort in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv or Kfar Pines (near Hadera). Click here for info.