Morning Blessings-Vayikra-Ba’alei Tosafot-Accessing God’s Humility

The 29th of Adar is the Yahrtzeit of Rabbeinu Yitzchak (ben Asher) of Speyer. Grandson of the Riva, he was murdered with numerous other Jews because of a blood libel (1196).”Speak to the Children of Israel and say to them, When a man among you brings an offering to God; from animals, from cattle or from the flock shall you bring your offering (Vayikra 1:2).” From this we learn the humility of God; He does not request that we bring animals that run wild and are difficult to trap, adding to our burden. He asks only that we bring of our cattle and flocks that are easily accessible to us. (Ba’alei Tosafot)

While reciting the Korbanot in the morning, remember that God intends to make the process of an offering simple for us, just as He wants our prayers to be accessible to our hearts. When we recite the Korbanot, we address God in His Humility and accessibility, setting the stage for our prayers, that are simple tools we can use to achieve atonement and attachment.