Take for Every Man a Lamb
Adar 19,5767/March 9, 2007
Adar 19,5767/March 9, 2007
"Speak unto all the congregation of Israel, saying: In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to their fathers' houses, a lamb for a household; and if the household be too little for a lamb, then shall he and his neighbor next unto his house take one according to the number of the souls; according to every man's eating you shall make your count for the lamb." (Exodus 12:3-4)
"The modern-day Sanhedrin, headed by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, has decided to purchase a herd of sheep to be used for the Passover sacrifice ritual to be held this year if possible at the Temple Mount." (as reported on February 28, by Arutz 7)
In light of the well-known Biblical commandment cited above, the news item concerning the contemporary Sanhedrin's intentions to acquire lambs for this year's Pascal offering should not even have been considered news worthy. Yet a quick search on the internet will reveal blaring newspaper headlines, the world over, condemning the Sanhedrin as being a group of radical fringe elements, bent on causing war. Unfortunately, even a rabbi was quoted as declaring that the era of animal offerings ended two thousand years ago, and its return is not to be desired. Let's hope that his words were misconstrued.
For starters, let us dispel the myth that today's Sanhedrin is comprised of fringe elements. This slur is patently untrue, as is readily apparent to any knowledgeable person. So what then, is their "beef," (or should we say, "lamb")? Is it because the Rabbis of the Sanhedrin are plotting to storm the Temple Mount with their lambs and slaughtering knives? Is it because they are proposing that Moslems not be allowed to pray on the Mount, or congregate on the Mount in groups numbering more than a handful? Or is it because they are engaged in a protracted propaganda blitz, aimed at denying any Moslem spiritual or historical connection to the Mount?
The reason the world takes umbrage at the Sanhedrin's statement begins and ends with the fact that the Sanhedrin is attempting to fulfill the word of G-d, as quoted above. No more, no less. Today's politically correct world is no more accepting of the Jewish nation's desire to practice Torah precepts than was Pharaoh, in his day. Some will shout that the slaughter of animals is inhumane and vulgar. Others will add that to do so in the name of G-d is nothing less than pagan!
Millions of animals are slaughtered each day across the world in assembly line factories, far from the eyes of the tens of millions of people blithely consuming their flesh each day, yet the world, by and large, is silent. Apparently, the mass destruction of animal life for the purpose of physical gratification is quite acceptable, as long as it's done out of sight, out of mind.
The Pascal lambs were slaughtered one at a time, by the Temple priests, in the light of day, while the entire nation of Israel was watching. Each lamb was slaughtered in the name of the mitzvah - commandment - attaching lofty spiritual import to the act. The slaughtering was performed in a strictly proscribed manner designed to minimize any pain caused to the animal. The slaughtering was done in shifts, within the confines of the Temple Courtyard. Between shifts, the priests completely washed down the Courtyard, maintaining the cleanliness and the dignity appropriate to the Holy Temple. The animal in its entirety was to be eaten. Each lamb was designated to be eaten by predetermined groups. The groups were based on family units. The poor, or people without families, were assigned by the elders to the predetermined groups. No one was allowed to be absent from the Passover meal, on what has come to be known as the Seder night. No one was allowed to go hungry.
What then, is the objection? It would seem that if modern society conducted itself in a similar fashion to that described above, showing respect for all living things, and caring for all members of society, the world might be a better place to live in. This of course, is a description of a world in which there is a Holy Temple. A world in which G-d dwells among us. Until that day when the nation of Israel can once again go up to the Holy Temple in freedom, all we can do is everything possible to prepare for that day. And that is the spirit behind the Sanhedrin's decision to acquire a herd of sheep.
This week, due to the Purim festivities, there is no new Temple Talk broadcast. Next week, Temple Talk will be broadcast as usual.
This week's Light to the Nations on the Universal Torah Network, features Rabbi Richman's latest teaching, entitled "The Soul of King David: A continuation of Holy Temple Studies 21: The Waters of the Depth." To view this week's show, please click here.
Be sure to view Rabbi Richman's five minute teaching on this week's Torah reading of Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11-34:35), also on the Universal Torah Network.
Also this week, in honor of the reading of Parashat Parah Adumah (the Red Heifer, Numbers 19:1-22) on this upcoming Shabbat, Rabbi Richman presents a short video teaching on the Red Heifer. Click here to view.
We are please to announce that the Light to the Nations video teachings are now available on DVD. If you would like to be able to view past episodes of Light to the Nations at your leisure, or send the gift of Torah to a friend, please click here.
May we merit a speedy redemption,
Yitzchak Reuven
THE TEMPLE INSTITUTE
PO Box 31876
Jerusalem, Israel 97500
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