In V3n41
Arnold Wolf and James Cohen respond to the students in Lori
Palatniks class
regarding animal sacrifices. Some important points and
sources regarding
sacrifices are the following:h
* Rabbi Hirsch's commentary on VaYikrah is probably the best source for
a
good Jewish View on sacrifices. Though very detailed it is well worth
it.
* Rav Hirsch points out that there are many sacrifices not having
animals
or blood at all: e.g. ---Ketoreth (the "perfume" sacrifice on the
golden
altar) ---Minchah ( the "flour" sacrifice).
Rav Hirsch also points out we don't object to killing animals if there is
a
purpose---e.g. for leather for shoes or for fur for coats. The real
issue
here is not the killing but whether there is a purpose. According to
Rav
Hirsch according to the Torah man has a need for symbolic expression of
his
deepest and most inner emotions. The Torah allows this thru the
whole
sacrificial order.
What are the basic sacrifices symbolizing? What is so important`
to
symbolize? Rav Hirsch answers this throughout his commentary. Allow me
to
give a simple example:
A person sins and feels quilty. How can his former emotional self
be
"redeemed". The Torah through sacrifice answers.
A cursory look at a Concordance will show us that "sheep" refers to
simple
people who serve G-d simply and "follow" him. So we take a
sheet(=simple
person) and bring him to the North side of the temple where the
table
(=physical passions) can be seen. The person then slaughters
and
terminates these passions but the blood(=life force) of the passions
is
poured (="transformed") from its former "physical animal vessel" to a
holy
temple vessel.This "animal blood in a temple vessel"(=animal life
force
transformed to holy motives) is then used to place the blood on the
horns
(top) of the altar (Rav Hirsch explains that a sinner is depressed and
we
must emphasize how high (altar horns) he has risen to remotivate himself
to
serve G-d.
Lori at this point will probably retort--sounds nice, but how can I
teach
all this to my class? I have a suggestion which has been used
in
mathematics education (where students also abhor the "technical
details"):
Let Lori give students the basic ideas --animal symbols, altar part
symbols
etc---and then let the students write what they think the symbolism
is and
let them also write if it helps. The technical term used in math
education
is "idea diaries" in`which students record their reflections on
difficult
and technical concepts and their attempts to reproduce them. Such
an
exercise allows students to "discover" themselves the purpose inin
these
laws and can give them insights.
I hope this helps and improves appreciation of Torah
Russell Jay Hendel, Ph.d, ASA rhendel @ mcs drexel edu