Torah Thoughts on Parshas Vayikra by Moti Loterstein
"וְנֶפֶשׁ כִּי תַקְרִיב קׇרְבַּן מִנְחָה לַה' סֹלֶת יִהְיֶה קׇרְבָּנוֹ וְיָצַק עָלֶיהָ שֶׁמֶן וְנָתַן עָלֶיהָ לְבֹנָה" וַיִקְרָא ב':א'
“When a soul will bring a meal-offering to God, his offering shall be of fine flour; and he shall pour oil on it and place frankincense on it.” Vayikra 2:1
Parashas Vayikra discusses the many different types of Korbanos that were brought in the Beis HaMikdash, including Korbanos that one may bring voluntarily, such as a Korban Olah or a Korban Shlamim. The Torah typically describes a person bringing a voluntary Korban as an “אָדָם”, i.e, the regular term used to describe a person. However, the Torah uses the seemingly loftier term "נֶפֶשׁ", a “soul”, when describing one who brings a voluntary Korban Mincha (a flour offering). Why does the Torah single out the one who brings a Korban Mincha with such a special description?
Rashi, citing the Gemara in Menachos (104b), explains that the Korban Mincha, a relatively inexpensive Korban, is most frequently brought by a poor person. A person who has chosen to use his limited resources (and, as noted by Radatz in his commentary to Sefer Vayikra, the very source of his own sustenance) to give thanks to Hashem. In recognition of the relative significance of this person’s sacrifice, the Torah designates him with the honorific “נֶפֶשׁ”, as though he has literally offered his soul to Hashem.
This public appreciation of personal sacrifice may help explain another aspect of the Korban Mincha. The Torah specifies that every Korban Mincha must be brought with salt, describing it as “מֶלַח בְּרִית אֱלֹקֶיךָ”, the “salt of your covenant with your God”. What was this “covenant”? Rashi explains that during the 2nd day of Creation, Hashem created a separation between those waters that would remain in the heavens and those that would remain in the oceans and seas of the earth. These earthly waters complained, as they too wished to be closer to Hashem. Hashem therefore made a covenant with the earthly waters that they would have a share in the service in the Beis HaMikdash, in the form of the salt used in Korbanos.
Why, however, did Hashem choose salt, a mere component of the earthly waters, as a covenant, instead of water itself? Why not simply require that every Korban be accompanied by water? Perhaps here, too, Hashem wishes to publicly highlight a sacrifice. If Hashem had designated plain water, which is found in the heavens as well as the earth, as a necessary accompaniment to Korbanos, it would not necessarily be obvious that Hashem was recognizing the sacrifice of the earthly waters. Hashem therefore selected salt, an element distinct to the earthly waters, to make clear to all that the earthly waters were being rewarded for their sacrifice.
If Hashem takes such efforts to give appreciation to the sacrifices of others, how much more so should we show appreciation to those who sacrifice for us, be it a spouse, family member, teacher, or soldier. In doing so, may we foster peace among Klal Yisrael, and may we be zoche to once again bring Korbanos in the Beis HaMikdash!
Moti Loterstein graduated from FYHS in 2001. After learning for several years at Yeshivat Sha'alvim, he received a BA from HTC before attending law school. Moti has spent his legal career as a federal prosecutor, and currently serves as the Assistant Chief of the United States Department of Justice, Antitrust Division's Chicago Office. Moti also regularly provides training to federal law enforcement officers across the United States and has served as a guest lecturer at several law and business schools. Moti and his family live in West Rogers Park.
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