DRAWING CLOSER
The Book of Vayikra is the Book that introduces us to the karbanos. Rav Sam-son Raphael Hirsch explains how the common translations of korban misrepresent what the korban actually is. Before we begin, what is a korban? A korban is an animal, bird or flour that is brought to the Beis HaMikdosh for the sake of offering it up on the mizbeiach, the Altar. The most common translation for korban is sacrifice. This word implies giving up something of value for a greater cause; whether it be life and money and receiving nothing in return. The other common translation is offering. This word implies a gift of value to the recipient as one offers an offering to the recipient. An offering is a form of gift for the benefit of the recipient. Both of these translations corrupt the under-standing of what a korban actually is.
The word korban derives from karov, to be in close proximity. L’karev is the verb of bringing someone or something close. The function of the korban is to assist the one who brings it, to move closer to HaShem. It is the vehicle by which Man draws himself closer to his Maker. It is exclusively for the benefit of the one who brings it. Although HaShem cherishes those who draw them-selves close to Him, nevertheless, He derives nothing of value whatsoever from the korban itself. In the first chapter of Isiah, Yishayahu chastises his people in the name of HaShem, “For what do I need your plentiful kobanos…” The prophet is telling his people that HaShem has no benefit from the korban other than the closeness that it generates between the one who brings it and HaShem. Since the people were actually moving away from HaShem in the days of Yishayahu, the korban is worthless. Rav Hirsch concludes his discussion with no word that properly translates korban.
Last Shabbos our community lost a very great man, Lev Komarov. A fellow short in physical stature but a giant in spiritual stature. He was a regular at BJSZ and was a soft spoken man, admired by all who knew him. (Some folks knew him as the fellow who drove collectors around.) Part of his greatness was his humility and how he kept himself hidden. He viewed himself as just a simple Jew; nothing special.
Even those who knew Lev well, like myself, did not know that he held a PhD from Moscow University in mechanical engineering and held a high position in that role in the former Soviet Union. When Lev came to America an opportunity opened up for him to continue his career somewhere in middle America. However, for Lev there was no choice but to settle in Baltimore. He wanted to live in a Jewish community. He was a Jew, he lived to be a Jew and wanted to raise a Jewish family. Although his degree was in mechanical engineering, that was not who he was.
As a child he celebrated Shabbos at home and attended a cheder in Romania before the War. After the war and after losing his parents he married and moved to Moscow. He longed for the days of his childhood when he celebrated Shabbos. Alas, he did not have the opportunity. Upon his arrival to Baltimore in 1989 he rejoiced at his first Shabbos seuda at the home of Lonnie Shavitz. He was moved to tears when he realized that he was able to return to his Jewish past. When Lev rejected the offer to restart his career by moving to middle America, he did not sacrifice any-thing. There was nothing he wanted but to move closer to HaShem with his people in his new Jewish community.
Lev understood what a korban is and lived his life accordingly. May his memory be a blessing.
Have a wonderful Shabbos.
Paysach Diskind