This week we take out two Torah Scrolls. In the first, we read from the portion of Tzav, which is the Second Parsha of the Chumash of Vayikra (Leviticus), a continuation of G-d’s command to Moses to command Aaron and his sons to follow the procedures for offering up sacrifices.

“If (a person) brings (a sacrifice) in order to give thanks…. (7:12)

In general, the sacrifices served to separate us from our materiality, drawing us closer to G-d. Prayer today, in the absence of the Temple substitutes for sacrifices today.

In the Messianic era however, the physical realm will be saturated with G-dliness, and the need to reach this high level will no longer be necessary, hence, both sacrifices and prayers will no longer be needed.

There is an exception and that is the thanksgiving sacrifices and prayers. This is because rather than the effort to reach higher consciousness, thanksgiving is the experience of just that – our recognition and awe of G-d’s presence in our lives. Since our Divine awareness will perpetually ascend in the Messianic Era, our joy in experiencing it will perpetually increase. We will therefore continue to offer sacrifices and prayers of thanksgiving.

By focusing our prayers today on being thankful for feeling close to G-d, we can hasten the coming of the Messianic Redemption, when this will be the sole focus of our prayers.

In the Second Torah scroll, we read Parshat Parah, (Bamidbar / Chukat) which is the Third of the four special portions we read before Pesach (Passover). It describes the preparation of the Red Heifer and its ashes that were used to purify those in need of purification.

With our prayerful wishes for the wellbeing of our IDF soldiers, the safe return of our hostages to their families embrace and an everlasting peace for Eretz Yisroel (the Land of Israel) and the World over with the arrival of Moshiach. Amen!