This week’s Torah portion – Vayikra – features the many types of animal sacrifices that one would bring to the Temple. Some sacrifices were from sheep, some from goats and some from oxen.
Maimonides explains in his Guide for the Perplexed that the reason for the Torah’s selection of these three species is connected to the notion that sacrifices were designed to repudiate the various forms of idolatry that were prevalent at that time The Egyptians worshipped the lamb, the Babylonians worshipped the goat and the Indians worshipped the cow. Whenever any of these sacrifices were offered it reinforced the conviction that these idols were powerless.
Chassidic thought offers an alternative explanation for the selection of these three animal species that is linked to a different understanding of sacrifices. Chassidic thought quotes the commentator Rabeinu Bachaye who points to the Hebrew word for sacrifice: Korban, that is etymologically related to the word Korov, that means to get close. A Korban is thus our way of getting close to G-d.
To get closer to G-d one must consider that which separates one from Him. Each one of us is a composite of two personalities: our G-dly soul and our animal soul. Our G-dly soul’s interest is to maintain a close relationship with G-d. But the G-dly soul’s ambition is hampered by the animal soul’s desire to satisfy its own selfish interests.
There are two ways one can overcome the problem that our animal soul has created. The first is to shun the animal soul and destroy it. The second approach is to get the animal soul itself to shed its negative traits and to get closer to G-d.
In order to accomplish this objective, one must understand the nature of one’s animal soul. Not all animal souls were created equal. Some animal souls are like a goring ox. In the modern vernacular we would refer to this personality as a bull in a china shop. This personality has no regard for the other person, and will aggressively trample anything or anyone in his path.
To bring a Korban from an ox is to get the raging bull to use his strength and determination for positive purposes. No matter how many obstacles there might be in one’s path to doing good, the rehabilitated ox will push its way through all of them. The goring ox becomes a passionate force for all that is good and holy.
There are other animal souls that are more like a timid lamb. The problem with the lamb personality is that it is totally self-absorbed and interested in the satisfaction of its appetite.
Self gratification and even narcissism can be employed in the service of G-d. Rather than focusing on physical pleasures in which to indulge, the lamb Korban is where the person discovers the immense joy and sense of satisfaction in doing spiritual things. One can derive enjoyment and pleasure from Torah study and helping others. There can also be no greater blissful state than to communicate with G-d during prayer.
The third animal soul type is the goat, or brazen individual. This animal soul has a lot of chutzpah and is not intimidated by anyone. This negative personality can also be brought close to G-d by employing chutzpah in the service of G-d. Rather than being a follower of every fad, one becomes a leader in doing unconventionally positive things. In the words of the Mishnah: “Be bold as a leopard” – not to be influenced by peer pressure; to become a leader and not just a follower.
The ultimate Korban then is to harness one’s animal tendencies that they too shall want to get close to G-d, each animal soul in its own inimitable way.
When the prophet speaks of the “Wolf lying with the lamb” in the future Messianic Age, according to one interpretation of this phenomenon, it is a description of how the animal nature within man will be transformed to the point that even the animal within us will be brought close to G-d.