Page 343 - 24107

Orchard of Delights Tzav # 24107-EYAL - 24107-EYAL | 11 - B | 18-01-28 | 12:12:05 | SR:-- | Black 24107-EYAL - 24107-EYAL |

#
created space for finite reality to come into existence. For this reason bulls] of our lips” (Hosea 14:3) on his or her own behalf and on behalf
the Talmud states: “In every place you find God’s greatness there of the nation of Israel.
you will see His humility” (Megillah 31a).
While prayer has replaced the Temple service and in a sense is a
The paradox of the small alef, as discussed throughout this portion, more developed form of spiritual service because it explicitly focuses
is in fact related to all of the mitzvot, each of which allows us to on the motivations underlying the Temple service, denigrating the
experience God’s infiniteness within finite time and space. It is as if Temple service as barbaric or primitive is an entirely misguided
every mitzvah contains a contraction of God’s infinite essence into approach, for our prayers, as we have shown, follow the model
a time and space bound action. One who performs a mitzvah with a provided by the Temple. This case differs dramatically from other
pure heart and proper intent thus connects not only to God but to instances of change where a new stage is radically different and in
the very purpose of creation. many cases diametrically opposed to the previous phase. Indeed,
despite the fact that animal sacrifices are no longer offered, their
fundamental underlying principles and animating philosophy are
fully integrated into normative Jewish prayer.

£Repentance and the Small AlefRepentance and the Small Alef
££Repentance and the Small Alef We would like to encourage the reader to delve into the many
levels of symbolism inherent in the Temple service, for without doing
so it is virtually impossible to gain a true perspective on Judaism’s
development and an understanding of contemporary Jewish prayer.
The small alef, a symbol of humility, teaches us many things about Just as the Tabernacle’s construction is laden with symbolic meaning
the nature of teshuvah, whether we understand the term in its narrow on a myriad of levels, so too the details of the sacrificial service are
sense as repentance or in its broader sense as a return to God. The brimming with deep meaning. The sacrifices’ deep purposes are
wisdom and secrets concerning the setting up of the Jewish calendar revealed by what seem to be their mundane, technical specifications,
given to the Jewish people on Rosh Chodesh Nisan shed profound including what type of animal is offered; which side of the altar it
light on teshuvah and on our relationship with God. Since the Jewish is brought on; how many animals were specified for a particular
calendar is fundamentally lunar but also takes the solar cycle into sacrifice; and what parts of the animal were eaten. In addition to
account, the ability to fulfill the Jewish people’s purpose of striving the animal sacrifices, grain and wine were offered along with many
to unite opposites is a prerequisite to setting up and understanding of the sacrifices and this too sheds light on the notion of dedicating 24107-EYAL - 24107-EYAL | 11 - B | 18-01-28 | 12:12:05 | SR:-- | Magenta #24107-EYAL - 24107-EYAL | 11 - B | 18-01-28 | 12:12:05 | SR:-- | Yellow 24107-EYAL - 24107-EYAL | 11 - B | 18-01-28 | 12:12:05 | SR:-- | Black 24107-E
the calendar.
everything to the service of God. Many books in English and, of
In Pirkei Avot (2:5), the Sages teach the following: “Do not judge course, in Hebrew exist that devote themselves to revealing these
your fellow man until you have been in his position.” Rebbe Natan, important concepts. The Torah is eternal. It is we who need to learn
Rebbe Nachman of Breslov’s foremost student, in his book Likutei to translate its deeper meanings into contemporary reality.
Halachot, used this advice to suggest a novel way of approaching
God on Rosh Hashanah. He based his approach on the following
Talmudic insights.
The Torah records that when God created the world, He created
two large luminous bodies, the sun and the moon. According to the
Talmud, the moon complained that two kings cannot wear one crown.

330 343