We read: “The Cohen shall cause then to go up in smoke on the Altar, a fire-offering to HaShem; it is a guilt offering” -- Vayikra,7:5.

But on the other hand:

“Of what use are your many sacrifices to Me? says HaShem. I am gorged with the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fattened cattle and the blood of bulls and sheep and he-goats I do not want. Learn to do good, seek justice, strengthen the deprived, perform justice for the orphan, plead the case of the widow” – Isaiah 1:11, 17.

There is almost always a “one the other hand!”

We are not living in the days of the Exodus and the Mishkan. In our days, HaShem is not seeking animal sacrifices and rituals. He is seeking self-sacrifice! 

Time passes by so quickly, does it not? And yet each of these blessed moments counts. Are you living in the past? That does not work! Better to live in the present, looking ahead to what comes next! Once lived, the past becomes nothing but grains of sands, the Langoliers as imagined by Stephen King. While it’s always advantageous to live in the eternal now and to trust HaShem for the future, our future today appears in shades of gray at best. 

Many fear the onset of World War III. Others fear a new Covid variant outbreak. Some folks are concerned about the media reports of giant invading spiders, while others warn of a worm-like creature pushing earthworms to extinction. Fear and doubt are overturning civilizations. Without emunah many are losing their minds, both literally and figuratively. But friends, hear me: what is coming will come! Live in this moment, in this time, and see what HaShem is doing. It is nothing short of amazing witnessing the fulfillment of numerous ancient prophecies right before our eyes!

What blessed insights we receive from Purim and the examples of Mordicai and Queen Hadassah! HaShem is bestowing His Mercy upon us today if we only open our eyes and see! We no longer offer sacrifices as prescribed in Vayikra, and yet we need the same qualities they did! Bitachon in HaShem! HaShem accepts us and our offerings through the Sacrifice of Praise and Prayer and emunah and bitachon. Through emunah and bitachon (motivating faith and trust). We need the kavanah or proper intention if we want HaShem to receive our prayers, offerings, and personal sacrifices. Vayikra 1:2 says, “When a person from you brings a voluntary offering to G-d...” 

God has promised to keep a remnant of our Tribe alive despite ourselves. Do you want to be among the righteous remnant? Consider these words of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov:

“Great atheism is coming to the world as a test from on high. The world’s many sins are causing a terrible lack of emunah. Happy is the person who stays firm in his emunah during these times. The fact that I am predicting this will not prevent the increase of Godlessness and confusion. Long ago, Daniel and others made it known that this would happen in the days before the Mashiach. “Many will purify themselves and be refined and make themselves shining white. But the wicked will do evil. And only the wise shall understand” – Daniel 12:10.
Knowing that this has been foretold,  it would seem that it should not be such a great trial for people to remain strong and firm in their emunah. But the truth is that even though the prophets made this known long ago, it will still be a great trial. Many will fall by the way, which is why it is written: “the wicked will do evil.”
I am revealing this for the sake of the few pure souls who will remain firm in their faith. They will undoubtedly face great battles, even within their own minds. But when they see that this has already been spoken of, it will give them greater strength and encouragement – Sichot Haran #35.

G-d has historically used plagues and wars to call us to teshuvah, sincere repentance. He is doing so again today! Will we finally look to HaShem?

“This day, I call upon the heaven and the earth as witnesses [that I have warned] you: I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. You shall choose life so that you and your offspring will live.

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Don't let the perfect defeat the good