(Leviticus: 1:1-5:26)

(Parshat Zachor)

(Haftara: Shmuel I, 15:1-34)

(Siddur)

1. [Leviticus 1] Why are the details of every type of sacrificial offering so different? What type of personality is the Torah trying to develop by forcing us to focus so much on details?
2. [2:1] “And the person who offers a minchah offering…” The “minchah offering” is like a pancake made out of flour. The Kohen eats it with some of the other sacrifices. Why is this pancake considered an offering to God with the other sacrifices?

3. [Shmuel I, 15: 9] “But Saul and the people spared Agag…” The midrash tells us that Haman, the villain in the story of Purim was descended from Agag. Both are descended from Amalek who represents cruelty without reason and without gain. What message is this midrash teaching us about compassion and  when not to be compassionate?

4. [Siddur: Ashrei yoshvei vetecha…] “You open Your hand and satisfy every living thing with ratzon (good-will or will-power)”. The Talmud says that whoever says this pasuk 3 times a day is an elevated soul, and will have a good after-life. What is so special about this pasuk that integrating its meaning will have such a special effect?

5. [Siddur, Psukei d’Zimra] “Sing to God a new song…” We usually find meaning in singing familiar songs. What is so special about singing a “new song”?

Commentary

When one forgets the essence of one’s soul; when one does not look into the depths of one’s inner life; everything becomes confused. The first tshuvah, which immediately lights up the darkness, is the return to oneself—to the root of one’s soul.

–Rav Avraham Y. H. Kuk, 1865-1935, Lithuania and Israel.

This study page is dedicated to the memory of Gad Eliahu ben David and Kochava–Eli Zucker

And  to the memory of Sarah Bella bat Yitzchak Kummer, Chaim Yosef Yechiel ben Eliyahu Kummer and Eliyahu and Margaret Kummer