Animal Within

This week’s Torah reading focuses on the korbanos, the offerings brought in the Sanctuary in the desert and later in the Temple. It opens with the verse (literally): “When a man will offer of you a sacrifice to G‑d of the animal.” Proper grammar would read, “When a man from among you offers....” The verse is phrased this way to teach that the offering is “of you,” dependent on each person. No external factor can stand in his way: every person can come close to G‑d if he truly desires.

Korban shares a root with karov, “close.” Bringing an offering means drawing near to G‑d, and the offering must come “of you”—from the animal within. Each of us has an animalistic side. That side isn’t wholly negative—many animals are harmless or pleasant—but an animal acts to satisfy instinctual drives, focusing on its own needs without regard for others.

When we behave like that animal, we fail to use a unique human capacity: thought. Humans can control feelings and desires; if we let our animal nature rule, we leave the world unchanged. G‑d created us to change the world and ourselves. Our actions should be guided by thought and by G‑d’s intent, moving from taking to giving—bringing the animal within closer to G‑d.

This change happens through thought directed at higher values. The animal in us wants to feel good; when it learns that giving and aligning with G‑d’s will bring deeper satisfaction than mere receiving, it will act that way. Therefore we must continually expose ourselves to inspiring, uplifting ideas so we’re motivated to look beyond self-interest and seek goals that benefit all.

Shabbat Shalom!

Candle lighting time in NYC: Friday, 6:50