I begin this week’s thought by expressing our profound and unending gratitude to Hashem for the infinite berachos with which He showers our family. May he continue to give us berachah, and may He grant everyone in Klal Yisroel berachos, hatzlachos, yeshuos and nechamos in all their endeavors, in every area of life.
This week’s parashah begins with the korbanos brought after a woman had given birth. We are told that she must bring two korbanos, an olah – a burnt-offering which is completely burnt on the mizbeiach – and a chatas – a sin-offering.
Although the Torah first makes mention of the olah, Rashi cites the gemarah in the Zevachim that when it came to offering them, the chatas actually preceded the olah.
This being the case, why does the Torah refer to the olah first?
Perhaps the Torah is teaching us a distinction between korbanos and our behavior.
A chatas, a sin-offering, should be motivated by a person’s sincere desire to reconcile and grow closer to Hashem, a sentiment that is represented by the olah. The olah is mentioned first because that motivation is to precede the simple wish to cleanse oneself the stain of sin.
On the other hand, when a person acts, when he begins the journey of repentance, he should first endeavor to stay away from evil – סור מרע – as represented by the chatas, and then go on to do good – ועשה טוב – as represented by the olah.
May we all be zocheh to draw close to HaKadosh Baruch Hu and do His will.
Gut Shabbos.
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