THE ART OF SACRIFICE

Dear Family,

I hope that everyone is well.

Wishing refuah shleimah for Yechezkiel ben Ester.

I saw an interesting editorial from Rabbi YY Jacobson this week, which I would like to share:

There was a successful businessman having a discussion with his new son-in-law and offering him a 50-50 partnership in his business

‘All you will have to do is manage the factory’ he said.

‘I hate factories,the young man replied. ‘Too noisy.’

‘Fine said the father-in-law. Then work in the office.’

‘I hate office work. I can't sit behind a desk.’

The father in law stared at him and said, ‘ I just made you a half owner of a thriving company, and you are refusing both jobs. What am I supposed to do with you?’

‘Easy he said. Buy me out!’

This humorous exchange captures a deeper truth.

When a person refuses to give of themselves, even great opportunities become meaningless.

A life without sacrifice becomes centred entirely on the self.

In this week’s Sedra Vayikra we learn about some of the SACRIFICES in the Temple.

The Alte Rebbe explains, from the word *mikem* -from you, that the primary Offering that G-d desires, is not from the animal, but from the person themself. Ie to sacrifice our own desires, ego, and inner resistances etc.

In our zeal for personal freedom, we have forgotten that meaningful living requires giving something of ourselves for truth, for another person, for our values, or for G-d.

When no part of life demands sacrifice, we become more fragile, more superficial, and more self absorbed.

The Book of Leviticus, centred on Offerings, reminds us that to live, is to live for something beyond ourselves.

Gut Shabbos and Gut Chodesh to all