This week, we begin Sefer Vayikra, a
sefer dedicated to explaining all things holy. After finishing Sefer Shemos
with the discussion of the holy structure, the Mishkan, Vayikra begins with a
discussion of what will take place inside the building. Our parsha begins with
the laws of korbanos, sacrifices, and the sefer continues with a discussion of the
different degrees of holiness found in different physical states, as well as
animals and days of the year.
While discussing the laws of korbanos,
the pasuk lists an important requirement. “וְכָל־קָרְבַּ֣ן
מִנְחָֽתְךָ֘ בַּמֶּ֣לַח תִּמְלָח֒ וְלֹ֣א תַשְׁבִּ֗ית מֶ֚לַח בְּרִ֣ית אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
מֵעַ֖ל מִנְחָתֶ֑ךָ עַ֥ל כָּל־קָרְבָּֽנְךָ֖ תַּקְרִ֥יב מֶֽלַח” “And
you shall salt every one of your meal offering sacrifices with salt… You shall
offer salt on all your sacrifices.” (Vayikra 2:13). There is an obligation
to salt every single korban that is placed on the Mizbe’ach, even the ones not from
meat.
This obligation began
during Creation. Originally, there was no separation between the sky and the
sea. In order to create the land, Hashem created the horizon to separate
between the waters of the sea and the sky. The sea became upset that it was
being separated from the kedushah of the heavens; therefore, Hashem promised
that the “lower” waters would have a special kedushah as well. He required
every korban to be covered with salt, which comes from the sea. Additionally,
on Sukkos, there is a special ceremony called ניסוך המים,
where water was poured next to the Mizbe’ach.
How come the promise
was for salt to be placed on the korbanos? Why didn’t Hashem make it that water
should be poured on the Mizbe’ach for every korban? There would be no problem
of the fire being able to burn a wet korban, the fire on the Mizbe’ach came
from heaven, and with the open-aired ceiling of the Mishkan and the Beis
Hamikdash, there was always a possibility of rain. Yet, the fire was unaffected
by it. So how come the promise was to use salt?
Rabbi Yaakov Kaminetzky explains that this
way actually shows the prominence of the lower waters. Sea salt is made by
gathering seawater on the beach, let it evaporate in the sun, and collect the
salt crystals that remain behind. Looking at the sea, the salt isn’t visible,
but by removing the upper portion (the water) you can then collect the lower
portion (the salt).
This is how Hashem
showed the sea that though He may have separated them from His place of Glory,
they were still important. Not only did He decree that a portion of the sea
should be placed on every korban, but this portion should come from the lowest
part of the sea! The lowest of the low became an indispensable piece in the
highest place on this world. We can use this in our lives as well. We see that
spirituality does not just come from the high places, it can come from even the
lowest places if given the chance.
Shabbat Shalom!
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