Parshat Vayikra begins a very technical section of the Torah that lays out all of the details of the korbanot, or sacrificial system. The word "sacrifice" etymologically comes from the Latin sacrificium, meaning "to make holy." Since the late 16th century, it has also been associated with forfeiture for the sake of something more worthy. This meaning is based on the Christian relationship to Jesus and is not Jewish in its root.Instead, the Hebrew word for sacrifice, korban, comes from the word karov, which means "near." A korban is something that draws one close to another. In fact, it is related to the Hebrew word for "relatives," or those close to you. As such, the ancient sacrificial system was designed to foster intimacy and a sense of closeness across the vast Human-Divine divide.Korbanot are prepared in specific ways because of the importance of the relationship between G!d and us. Just as we mark the anniversary of human relationships with grooming, presents, and a special meal, so too did the ancient Israelites sanctify their relationship with G!d by ritual bathing (rare in the ancient world), unblemished animal sacrifices, and a precise set of rituals. By preparing and precisely following through, we create intimacy.Today, with the Temple destroyed, many of these ancient rituals have become sublimated into the Shabbat dinner table. Candles, wine, ritual hand washing, and giving thanks were all once parts of the Temple service. Today they mark our holy meals. Even the laws of kosher slaughter are based upon how the ancient priests would slaughter and butcher the sacrifices. To this day, many find deep meaning and spiritual closeness by following ancient set routines.I bless us all that at our Shabbat meals and our upcoming Passover Seders, we too find connection and intimacy through following a routine.
