Commitment
A real commitment also requires sacrifice to a certain extent. Being that we have limited time, resources and energy, when we say yes to one person, client, or job, essentially we are also saying no to someone or something else.
In Yiddish there is a popular expression, “Mir Ken Nisht Tantzen Oif Tzvei Chasunos,” loosely translated, “we cannot dance at two weddings (simultaneously)”. While we make time for the things that are most essential to us, we are also sacrificing other comforts, luxuries or even important things that may not make it to the top of our to-do list.
A healthy marriage requires a solid commitment between two spouses. In Judaism, the wedding ceremony consists of two components: 1. Kiddushin (i.e. sanctification/dedication) which essentially forbids either spouse from intimate relationships with another person. 2. Erusin (i.e. marriage) which solidifies the marriage and confirms the obligations that the husband and wife must provide for one another. Judaism recognizes that marriage is a commitment and therefore will require a degree of sacrifice from both spouses. Commitment requires sacrifice but through it we come closer to our loved ones.
The same is true with regards to the relationship between each of us and G-d. Over 3000 years ago, at Mount Sinai, G-d declared the Jewish people as His chosen nation and we entered into a unique relationship with Him. While Judaism includes many positive Mitzvot, celebrations and opportunities, it also instructs to refrain from doing certain things that are detrimental to our physical and spiritual wellbeing or negate the belief in other ideologies. Maintaining a vibrant connection with our Jewish identity also requires a certain amount of commitment and sacrifice. Instead of asking “What’s in it for me?” we train ourselves to ask “What is required of me?”. Judaism teaches us to serve a higher purpose and create a home for G-d on earth.
In this week’s Torah portion, Vayikra, we learn about the various sacrifices offered to G-d in the Temple. The Hebrew term for sacrifice is Korban which shares the root Kerov, meaning, “close.” Through sacrificing and offering something which is valuable to us for a higher G-dly purpose, we also become closer to G-d as a result. The sacrifices were a medium through which closeness and intimacy were established between G?d and man, and in a larger sense, between Him and every aspect of the world at large. When a person brought a sacrifice, what he was doing was endeavoring to draw close to G?d.
Although the literal service of the animal and meal offerings have ceased since the destruction of the Temple close to 2000 years ago, the inner meaning behind this holy service exists within each of us in our daily lives. Every person has a spark of G?d within him/her, a spiritual potential that is infinite and unbounded, like G?d Himself. And every person has an animal nature, a part of his/her personality which is concerned with taking care of its physical needs; eating, drinking, sleeping, and doing anything else that will make one satisfied. This was the purpose of bringing a sacrifice. It was a process of growth, in which a person elevated the animal inside of himself/herself, and taught it to look upward and appreciate a higher purpose.
From the dawn of time, G?d envisioned for Himself a "dwelling place" right here on Planet Earth. And He put us here to fashion this home. To transform darkness into light. One of Maimonides 13 principles of faith is the belief in the ultimate redemption, an awaited era of world peace, prosperity and the refinement of the physical and the infusion of holiness and purpose into the mundane as the paramount objective. We pray that we experience this reality speedily in our days!