* Translated by Janine Muller Sherr
We are living through challenging days, and Pesach is approaching. This week, we will also be reading Parashat Vayikra, the first parasha in the Book of Vayikra. Most of the book focuses on the sacrificial offerings; there is none of the sweeping narrative we find in the books of Bereishit and Shemot.
The American Jewish author and Pulitzer Prize winner, Herman Wouk, once spoke about this particular Jewish characteristic—their fealty to all parts of the Torah, including those sections which are not particularly gripping or straightforward—those aspects of the Torah, which require great effort without immediate gratification.
He wrote:
“There was once an author who decided to produce an abridged version of the Bible: he simply edited the Five Books of Moses by removing the laws and leaving in the narratives. As a result, the Book of Leviticus (Vayikra) was reduced to only half a page. But we Jews have never removed a single word from the Torah. The detailed planning for the construction of the Tabernacle (Mishkan) and the exhilarating story of the Exodus were always considered of equal value.”
Wow. What a life-transforming idea! We must remain steadfast in our beliefs and values at all times—not only when it is easy or pleasurable to do so.
These are very difficult days, as we try to juggle conflicting responsibilities while navigating a challenging routine (sirens, Zoom, safe rooms, miluim — serving in the reserves, and dedicating ourselves to the cleansing of our physical surroundings as well as our souls).
But every year we return to our Pesach preparations and to Sefer Vayikra, thereby affirming our everlasting connection to our eternal story.
