The Korban Todah and Its Meaning
Amongst the various sacrifices discussed in this week’s Torah reading is the Korban Todah, a special sacrifice brought in appreciation of a salvation one experienced. This was brought by one who either traveled safely through a desert or sea, one who recuperated from an illness or one who had been freed from prison.
Sadly, as the Holy Temple has not been rebuilt yet, we are unable to offer such a sacrifice nowadays. Offering a sacrifice is of the greatest forms of submission to God, and the inability to do so is a great loss.
Greater Than a Sacrifice
Notwithstanding the loss of this opportunity, we do have the option of performing a service which is even greater than offering a sacrifice to God. What could be a greater service than bringing a sacrifice? The verses in Tehillim say as follows (69:31-32): “I shall praise the name of God with song and exalt Him with thanks, and it shall be greater to God than the sacrifice of an ox.”
This is a most enlightening statement. While unfortunately we are lacking the aspect of service attained through offering a sacrifice, merely praising God with verbal appreciation is even greater! Praising God is something we can all do at any time, yet we fail to appreciate the value of doing so.
A Lesson in Gratitude
There was once a couple who struggled with infertility. For over a decade, they suffered many disappointments and losses, including the death of an eight month old baby, who died from a rare heart condition. Finally, after twelve long years, a healthy baby girl was born, and their joy was overwhelming. They held a special banquet to express their immense gratitude for the special gift God had granted them.
At the banquet, the new father got up to speak, and he talked about the ordeals which they went through until they reached this gratifying occasion. There was one message which he imparted upon those present: “Give thanks to God. No matter what the situation is, there is always so much to be grateful for. Challenging experiences are also for our benefit. Even when we don’t see the good, we know that everything that happens is for our best, and therefore we must always be thanking God.”
Making Gratitude a Way of Life
When we hit rough spots in our lives, it is natural to turn to God in prayer to alleviate our hardships. But how many of us make a point to start praising God when things are going well? Even when we are going through challenges, there is so much good which God is providing us. How can we ignore the constant good being showered upon us?
While we yearn for the rebuilding of the Holy Temple to have the ability to reach greater heights in our service of God through offering sacrifices, there is so much greatness which is already in our reach. There is no reason why we should not be praising God in front of our friends and family on a constant basis. If we are embarrassed to do so before others, we should at least make a habit of doing so privately.
It’s not sufficient to casually add the phrase, “thank God,” when mentioning something good which happened. To achieve greatness in this area, we must turn this practice into our way of life and earnestly express our gratitude in praising God regularly, as the verse says (Tehillim145:2), “Every day I shall bless You, and I shall praise Your name forever.” By doing so, we will truly elevate ourselves by performing a service of God which is even greater than offering sacrifices.
By Rabbi Yitzchok Aryeh Strimber torah4every1@gmail.com
