ספר ויקרא

Year 1887-1888

Regarding the meal offering of the inauguration, which is called the "meal offering of inauguration," and which the High Priest offers every day - it appears that the High Priest experiences renewal every day and elevates from day to day, which is why he brings this meal offering daily. The Gemara questions whether the priests act as agents of God or as our own agents. It is possible that according to all views, the High Priest is an agent of God, referred to as an "angel of the Lord of Hosts." Just as the angels experience constant renewal, day by day, so too does the High Priest. See what I wrote on the portion about Korach, on the verse "Whomever God chooses, he is the holy one" - it further appears that just as it is written about the anointing oil "it shall remain mine," which our Sages expounded to mean it endures forever, so too all the oil placed on the High Priest would miraculously endure forever. I have also recalled that the Gemara in Keritot states that some of the anointing oil appeared like pearls rising and falling on Aharon's beard. This ability was then passed down to all future High Priests. Although the anointing oil itself was hidden away, nevertheless, the illumination received by the High Priest remained for generations, as it is written "it shall remain mine for your generations."

And in the Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 8:3), "'This is the offering of Aharon' (Leviticus 6:13) - the offering of Aharon was considered as beloved as the offering of the chieftains, as it is written (Numbers 7:17), 'This was the offering of Nachshon, etc.'" And the idea is that the princes' dedication [of the tabernacle] was so that the enlightenment of the rebirth that occurred with the erection of the tabernacle would remain. For it is written (Numbers 7:2), "And the chieftains of Israel offered (hikrivu, which more literally means, brought close)" - that they felt a coming close in their souls to the Holy One, blessed be He. And the dedication was so that an impression of this would remain for future generations. However Aharon the priest was always cleaving to this rebirth. And this is what Scripture was consoling him with, "Yours lasts forever" - see there in the Midrash of Behaalotekha - to say, that he does not need the dedication, since he feels rebirth every day. This is as it is written (about Aharon), "This is the offering" - and that is as if it is pointing with the finger that this thing does not get old for him. And in fact we see that the tribe of Levi did not volunteer during the dedication of the tabernacle. And at first glance, this is a wonder! For the bringing of their offerings began from themselves, with the advice of Netanel ben Tzuar. If so, why did the tribe of Levi not also participate in this? Hence it appears that the tribe of Levi, which was not involved in the sin of the [golden] calf did not feel excitement about the erection of the tabernacle, like the other tribes did. For their level was above the construction of the tabernacle, just like the Children of Israel were [all] prepared to be before that sin. But behold they themselves are the servants of the tabernacles, so that they are called the vessels of the tabernacle and the temple. But the other tribes did bring offerings, so that the enlightenment of the erection of the tabernacle would remain with them forever. So does it appear to me.

Regarding the verse "This is the law of the burnt offering..." - a perpetual fire shall remain burning... This is the ultimate purpose of man's service [of God]. Every day, a new illumination descends upon those who serve the Lord, as it says "and the priest shall kindle wood every morning..." This is a renewal of His goodness every day. It is an expression of love, a gift from the supreme kindness. However, an impression from this light must remain in one's heart all day and night without being extinguished. Consequently, all thoughts and musings that arise in the heart need to be burnt away by the passion of this impression. This is the meaning of "it is the burnt offering on its burning pyre," as the holy Zohar states - "an evil thought must be burnt in the fire." The meaning of "on its burning pyre" is to say that no alien thought can arise unless there is first prepared the power and fire to burn it away, as Nachmanides wrote that God does not bring a test upon a person unless he has the strength to withstand it. In truth, the "perpetual fire" is fear [of God], while "the priest shall kindle" is love, as it is written "a thread of kindness is drawn each day - by day God ordains His kindness, and by night His song is with me." This "perpetual fire...on its burning pyre all night" refers to the night portion. This is the order each day, in accordance with how the light of the Torah impacts a person to burn away alien thoughts, for everything is contained in the Torah, which is called "fire." There is an "illuminating fire" - the 248 positive commandments which come from love. And there is a "consuming fire" - the 365 negative commandments which come from fear. The commandment to remove the ashes hints that by burning away the undesirables, one achieves an elevation each day, allowing new illumination to then descend. These corrections are found every single day. For one who truly serves God, it means accepting the Kingdom of Heaven each day through the recitation of the Shema and "You shall love..." It is written "And these words...that I command you this day shall be upon your heart, and you shall speak of them...when you lie down and when you arise" - one must receive this renewal upon arising until retiring at night. "All night until morning," as mentioned.