Living Torah Archives

Generally, the requirements of the Variable Offering change according to one’s financial ability. Yet, within these laws, Maimonides brings a case of a poor person who pledges to bring the offerings of someone with more means than him. How will he afford it? Doesn’t Jewish law only obligate a person according to his means? Yet, this law emphasizes, that if he pledged to bring the offering, he will be given the means to fulfill his promise. When a Jew commits to doing something positive; if he resolves to disregard his own shortcomings and do a favor for another Jew, we are assured that G-d will help him fulfill his pledge – a lesson illustrated by a story of printing the Tzemach Tzeddek.

The Torah provides a strict warning that offerings may not be brought outside the Holy Temple. Among the rituals performed in the Temple were the placing of the blood and fat of an offering on the Altar.

“And they shall build for me a Sanctuary and I will dwell within them.” The Sages explain: “within them” – within the heart of every single Jew.