Dedicated in honor of the Rebbe, and in memory of
Yitzchak Leib (Lyle) Federman
Nissan 4, 5772 · March 27, 2012 |
Editor's Note:
Dear readers,
I will never forget the scene. My grandfather, Rabbi Chaim Meir Bukiet, a Talmudic scholar, was speaking in Lexington, Mass., where my uncle Rabbi Alter Bukiet is rabbi.
"The Gemara," he began, quoting the Talmud, "says that when a wife and a husband are not at peace, the mizbe'ach sheds tears," referring to the altar that stood in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
"Why specifically the altar? Why not the candelabrum or the laver?
"The Kabbalistic masters taught that sacrifices were not just in the Holy Temple; they are a part of every person's daily life. When I put my needs aside for the good of another—that is sacrifice. When there is no peace in the home, no shalom bayit, we are not sacrificing enough. For this reason," Grandfather concluded, "the altar sheds tears. It weeps, thinking that we have failed to sacrifice enough."
This week we read the Torah portion of Tzav, which deals largely with sacrifices. Take some time to see where you can sacrifice, for your family, your community, for the world. And of course, enjoy the many articles that delve into the various practical lessons we learn from the sacrifices in the Holy Temple.
Have a great week!
Dovid Zaklikowski,
on behalf of the Chabad.org Editorial Team
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