Dear Friends,
When we look at our strengths and talents, we are more comfortable accepting that these are by design. But the negative qualities are more difficult to accept. However, to quote Rabbi Taub; "these are features not bugs".
In this week's Torah portion, in a subtle yet powerful manner, this point is expressed.
This week we begin to read the 3rd book of the Torah, the book of Vayikra - Leviticus. In this book, we read about the various offerings that were brought into the portable Mishkan (Tabernacle) and later in the Beit Hamikdash (Temple) in Jerusalem.
As I have the privilege to teach daily Chumash with Rashi 9am on zoom (if you ever want to join this special zoom, just reply to the email with your phone number to receive the daily text invite) we went through a lot of different offerings, both for the communal and for the individual. In the individual, it talks about the rich person's offering (a sheep) , the middle class person's offering (a bird) and the poor man's offering (some flour).
In telling us about the offering of the poor man, the Torah uses the unique expression, "If a soul brings an offering". It doesn't use this expression when talking about the rich or middle class person's offering.
Rashi (11th Century famous biblical commentator) quotes the Talmud that says that since the offering is of the poor person, who may feel down that all he can bring is a poor offering, the Torah wants to lift his spirits and as such tells us that G-d considers it as if he offered his very soul to G-d.
I think the Torah is validating the struggle of the poor person whose poverty consists of poor qualities as well. Being poor generally is not something someone chooses. Additionally, the poor person is likely doing everything they can to no longer be poor. Nonetheless, the Torah and G-d validate the circumstances and the feelings that come with it. How true is it then, in regard to poverty of better qualities that G-d validates us and our struggle.
Being that all of us can relate to being a 'poor person' in some area of life, we ought to continue working to liberate ourselves from our negative qualities. But, as the poor person too, until such time that these qualities are transformed, it is part of G-d's masterplan. Bringing ourselves with our shortcomings to the table in service of Hashem, is considered an offering of our very souls (Thank you to my friend Eliyahu Schusterman for sharing that idea).
I was thinking about this and want to add another bonus:there is something special when we give our 'poor person offering' that doesn't exist in the 'rich/middle class offering.'
You see, when you do a good deed and everything works out and you "knock it out of the park" you also feel really, really good about yourself. While self-esteem is important (and we are wired to feel good about doing good) that sentiment of self-satisfaction takes away from the selflessness of the act (again this is not good vs. bad just a subtle nuance).
But when Providence presents you with failure or modest success in your attempts to do good, only you and G-d are left with knowing you did your best.
And that my friends is the truest offering to the Almighty and the world. Lchaim!
Have a good Shabbos!
Rabbi Yitzi Hein