Vayikra 5762 - March 15, 2002
Editor's Note
re: the altar of the heart
When the Holy Temple stood in Jerusalem, a person desiring to come close to G‑d brought a korban, an animal and/or meal offering. Today, our Sages tell us, the three daily prayers fill the function of the korbanot.
Join us this week as we explore "the service of the heart" — as we ask why we pray, as the Baal Shem Tov tells a story to illustrate the meaning of the ladder of prayer which Jacob saw in his dream, and as a total of twenty-seven stories and articles we've assembled look at the thirteen dimensions of prayer enumerated by the Midrash: cry, howl, groan, stricture, song, prostration, encounter, judgment, entreaty, standing, appeal and beseeching.
May G‑d grant us the sense to know what we need, the mind and heart with which to pray for it, and the speedy fulfillment of our prayers --
A person praying is a standing paradox, a swaying contradiction, a self divided. The body is praying for life and existence; the soul is praying to escape life, to transcend existence
G-d tells Moses about the sacrifices brought on the altar in the Sanctuary, including the meal offering, peace offering, offering of atonement, guilt offering and ascending offering.
G-d tells Moses about the sacrifices brought on the altar in the Sanctuary, including the meal offering, peace offering, offering of atonement, guilt offering and ascending offering.
Their leader spotted a beautiful bird perched atop a tall tree. "Come," he said to his disciples, "I wish to capture this bird, so that we may delight in her song and gaze upon her wondrous hues"
It is amazing how a simple mental exercise can reduce the intensity of emotions such as anger, hurt, shame, etc., and the pain associated with them
Jacob has an "encounter" on Mount Moriah; Pinchas conducts a "judgment" with G-d; Isaac and Rebecca "entreat" for a child; Jonah "cries out" from the belly of the fish... 27 stories, voices, essays and insights into prayer
Due to the limitations of your reality, some of your best friends can enter only incognito.
In fact, the really big ones sometimes sneak in disguised as ugly monsters and vicious enemies. Otherwise, the guards at the gate would never permit them entry.
These are the events optimists call “blessings in disguise.”
Here’...
