Parsha Mitzvot: Tzav: Mitzvah 137 – Concept 359: Belzer Rebbe

“This is the Torah of the feast peace-offering- Shelamim – that one will offer to God (Vayikra 7:11).” We are commanded to follow the procedure of the Peace-Offering (Rambam, Hilchot Ma’aseh ha-Koranot – The Laws of the Sacrificial Procedure).

“He who offers Todah – understood as either confession or Thanksgiving – honors Me – yichabdanni (Psalms 50:23).” Rabbi Huna said in the name of Rabbi Acha, it does not say, as we would expect, “yichabdeini,” but, “yichabdanni,” to teach us that he does one act of honor of God after another (Vayikra Rabbah 9:1)

We can explain this Midrash based on a teaching of the Holy Sanzer (Divrei Chaim, Emor) on the verse, “When you slaughter a feast thanksgiving-offering to God, you shall slaughter it to gain favor for yourselves (Vayikra 22:29).” We bring a Korban Todah in response to a miracle, such as, “Those who go down to the sea in ships; Let them give thanks to God for His kindness (Psalms 107).” However, how much better it would be if God would guard the person from being in a situation that demanded a miracle, and, “Only the Holy One, Blessed is He, in His compassion and kindness, makes him happy in his home with all the best,”  and the man thanks God with his entire heart for every breath (Bereishit Rabbah 14:9) and constantly ponders God’s compassion and kindness  expressed in all he has. This is the meaning of “a thanksgiving-offering to find favor,” the favor to live with this level of happiness rather than surviving through miracles. He should learn from his offering to live at such a high level of favor.

We can apply the Sanzer’s teaching to the idea that, “He does one act of honor of God after another.” He brings his offering and derives this lesson of constant thanks, and now lives at such a level that he constantly brings increasing honor to God. He is becoming a Shaleim – a reflection of his Korban Shelamim. (Belzer Rebbe)