אני מאמין באמונה שלמה בביאת המשיח ואף על פי שיתמהמה עם כל זה אחכה לו בכל יום שיבוא.

ישועה וגאולה אמיתית לכל ישראל.

There is a very interesting point that caught my attention while reading this Parasha. One I believe is relevant to our continuing study and understanding of the word of G-d. In it, in a very simple, picturesque way is explained the purpose and process of redemption and forgiveness of sin.

Vayikra (Leviticus) {8:18} He presented the ram of the olah offering: and Aharon and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram. {8:19} He killed it; and Moshe sprinkled the blood on the mizbeah (brazen altar) round about. {8:20} He cut the ram into its pieces; and Moshe burnt the head, and the pieces, and the fat. {8:21} He washed the inwards and the legs with water; and Moshe burnt the whole ram on the altar: it was an olah korban (sacrtfice or draw near) for a sweet savor: it was an korban made by fire to HaSHEM; as HaSHEM commanded Moshe.

The words I would like to comment on are found in numerous places in this Parasha as well a in last weeks Parasha. In fact they are found throughout the book of Vayikra where the sacrificial system is being explained to Moshe and Aharon. The words are "for a sweet savor to HaShem." Some translations render these words as "a pleasing aroma" or "a soothing aroma," but no matter how they are translated these words focus on the nostrils and olfactory of G-d. We all can agree that the smell of barbecuing meat is in fact very pleasing and because all sacrifices had to be salted no doubt the aroma was sweet smelling, at least at first. But many of these sacrifices or portions thereof had to remain on the mizbeah until they were totally burnt up. Now anyone who has left his or her meat too long on the fire knows that the smell of burnt flesh is anything but pleasing. So what is meant here? Does G-d like the smell of burnt meat and grain or is there a deeper or more significant spiritual meaning to these words? I believe the answer lies in a portion of Scripture penned by Yeshayahu (Isaiah):

Yeshayahu {53:8} He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. {53:9} And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. {53:10} Yet it pleased the L-RD to bruise him; he has put him to grief: when you shall make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the L-RD shall prosper in his hand.