“And when ‘a soul’ brings a meal-offering to Hashem…” (2:1) Rashi points out that the word “soul” is not connected to any voluntary korban except in connection with the meal offering. He asks, “Who customarily brings a meal-offering? A poor man. Hakodesh Baruch Hu says about him, “I credit him as though he offered his very soul.”
Why is Hashem telling us that the poor man receives so much credit? Surely Hashem does not favor the service of the wealthy over the poor. And don’t we all know that the charity from the poor is equal to charity from the wealthy as long as the intentions are l’shaim shamayim?
Chazal tells us that there are two types of poverty. One is financial the other is spiritual. We all know what financial poverty is. However, “spiritual poverty” is not so apparent, a person can “have it all” and still feel deprived and depressed. Some label this type of impoverishment a “poverty mentality”.
Counterintuitively, when a person realizes he has nothing in this world - that he is completely dependent on Hashem, he becomes wealthy. There is no room for a “poverty mentality” when a person realizes that Hashem is taking care of him. This spiritual wealth can be had by all simply through thanking Hashem for our blessings and focusing on the many good deeds we do on a daily basis. Life becomes more exciting, interesting and fulfilling by building it with dedication and appreciation of Hashem’s blessings. Serving Hashem with such depth, with feeling, elevates our prayers and service in the same way the poor man’s meal offering is elevated.
B'ezrat Hashem this Purim Hamas will be completely obliterated and thus we will see the curse of Haman come true in our lifetime. Additionally we will see our Am rise as one in recognition and service of Hashem so that we will see the blessing of Mordecai in our lifetime.
Here’s a good word for Sheva Brachas taken form our online shiur (works well with Vayikra)
Over the years people have asked me if I would ever draw cartoons depicting some of the cases found in Yora Daya. Well, the answer is yes! I recently published a sefer called The Great Game of Kashrut. Click on the link to find out more: The Great Game of Kashrut
To order a copy of The Great Game of Kashrut follow this link: The Great Game of Kashrut
If you would like to dedicate a Davar Torah in honor of a special occasion or in memory of a beloved family member please contact Yisroel Simon at yisroel@judaism613.com.
Good Shabbos,R’ Channenjudaism613.org