ב"ה
THEMES of Featured Ascent Lights
Beginner
We must serve G-d in all aspects of life.
The Hebrew word "avoda", lit. "work", refers to the service of the High Priest on Yom Kippur, including even the removal of the ash from the altar. This reminds us that each Jew is a miniature Temple and that every aspect of our lives, even the unspectacular and mundane of our day-to-day work, have a holy and spiritual purpose.
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Beginner
What is the spiritual significance of the Temple offerings?
The Lubavitcher Rebbe says "tzav" alludes to how we are supposed to do each of the commandments: energetically, imbued with the joy and yearning to fulfill the desire of our Creator.
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Beginner
A warm glow must accompany our connection to the Divine.
When we bring enthusiasm and warmth to our observance of the commandments, this is like the priest lighting the flame in the Temple. This flame in turn initiates the descent of the divine flame.
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Beginner
Temple sacrifices can teach us how to come close to G-d.
The Hebrew word for "offering" is "korban", which means coming closer, referring to the drawing closer of man to his Creator. The entire concept of offerings is that we must continuously attempt to come closer to G-d.
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Beginner
Israel may not leave until they slaughter the god of the Egyptians in front of them.
The Shabbat before Pesach is called Shabbat Hagadol ("the Great Shabbat") because before our redemption from Egypt, on the 10th of Nissan, each family was commanded to select a lamb for their Pascal offering to be brought four days later. The lamb was an Egyptian god?". Israel did not leave until they slaughtered the god of the Egyptians in front of them, to show them that their gods are nothing.
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