Torah Portion

David Klein Gallery

Superficial Defects Matter
Only To Humans, Not God

(Psalms 147:3) 'He heals the bro-
ken-hearted;' (Isaiah 57:15) `...the
crushed and lonely of spirit;'
(Psalms 51:19) 'Offerings to God
are the broken in spirit; the broken-
hearted and crushed, oh, God, You
do not reject.'"
This rnidrash points out the dif-
n this week's Torah portion,
ference between the human being
we have the prohibition of
who can see only the superficial
bringing as a sacrifice an ani-
externals and whose evaluation is
mal with a physical defect
purely utilitarian — to him the
(Leviticus 22:17-25).
highest honor and good, the best is
Likewise, we are presented by the
determined by appearances. But to
Torah (Leviticus 21:16-24) with
God it is the inner reality
other verses that prohibit a
that counts most, and in
priest with a physical
the human being humility
imperfection from offering
is the ideal.
a sacrifice so as not to "des-
The whole sacrificial
ecrate My holy (sacrifices)"
rite, certainly, is for the
(Leviticus 21:23).
human participants; surely
Certainly we can under-
God has no need for such
stand that an animal must
things. It is important "to
represent the best we can
man" that the ceremonies
offer to God — but with
be impressive and symbol-
the Torah's usual regard for
RABBI ELIEZER ize to the human being his
worth
human dignity ,
relationship with God.
CO HEN
it is very difficult to under-
Therefore,
seemingly
Specia / to the
stand how, it seems. God
"defective" sacrifices or
jezvisl
7 Nezvs
Himself rejects the human
priests would be unwor-
being afflicted with a phys-
thy. But as the midrash
ical defect.
clearly states:
The following midrash (Leviticus
God Himself not only accepts
"Rabbah" 7:2) can be understood in
bur, in fact, sees as the ideal those
such a way as to give us a possible
who are the most humble and fully
realize their
dependency
on Him.
In truth,
compared
to God, all
humans are
infinitely
weak,
dependent
and "defec-
tive." This
is the reali-
ty of the
answer:
human condition. It is those very
"Rabbi Abba the son of Yudin
humans who realize this fact most
said: All that the Holy One Blessed
acutely who are the "closest to
Be He disqualified in an animal He
God." El
accepted in the human. He disqual-
ified in the animal blind or crippled
or split... (Leviticus 22:22) and He
accepted in the man a broken heart
or crushed, Oh, God, You do not
Why should the Torah attempt
reject (Psalms 51:19).' Rabbi
to "impress" human beings with
Alexandri said: The average person
the religious ceremonies that are
(human being) who employs broken
performed? How important are
tools is a disgrace but with the
the "externals?" Why do we tend
Holy One Blessed Be He, His tools
to judge people so superficially?
are broken as it says (Psalms 34:19)
How does "closeness to God"
`God is close to the broken-hearted'
reflect itself in our lives?

presents

ICONIC
IMAGES

Shabbat Error:
Leviticus 21:1-24:23;
Ezekiel 44:15-31.

New Paintings by Dana Bell

I

May 5 — May 2 6 , 2001.

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163 TOWNSEND BIRMINGH.AX1 Nil 48009

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Judith Brysk, MD invites you

to an open discussion on loss of
libido in a women's life cycle with
current approaches to therapy

The whole sacrificial rite,
certainly, is for the human
participants; surely God has
no need for such things.

Conversations

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Dr. Brysk is a certified fellow of
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of Obstetrical & Gynecological services

Call (248) 865.4270

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Discussion to be held at
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East entrance - lower level conference room

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Howard Kaplan

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