As we continue to face difficult times, the Torah turns us to Leviticus – a book of rules, many about making offerings and rituals for the priesthood. Rabbi Shoshanna Gelfand offers an interesting take on Leviticus, calling it the Book of Relationships.
Rabbi Gelfand explains that our general term for offering or sacrifice in Hebrew is “korban” which better translates as “something that brings us close”.
The offering system is about bringing us in touch with God.
Occasionally we brought an offering that was burned up entirely, to show our passion for total immersion in the divine, a complete spiritual experience.
Most often we brought “shlamim” offerings – from the same root as “shalom” – which were supposed to repair and bring completion to relationships. These offerings were meals shared with the priests and the people who brought them.
In this time of enforced physical distance we must attend even more closely to our relationships – bringing offerings of completion via phone and Zoom, via dropped off packages and smiles across safe distances, and so many other small sacrifices of compassion and loving-kindness.