643. Supporters of the Torah

“If any man of you brings an offering to the Lord.” The matter of the offerings implies to us that one must bring oneself closer to the Creator, that Korban [offering/sacrifice] comes from the word Hitkarvut [drawing near], as it is written, “And to cleave unto Him,” which means “Cleave unto His attributes, as He is merciful, so you are merciful.” But when a person works all day only for his own good, by this he draws far from the Creator, and one who is far from another cannot receive anything from him.

Hence, when one observes, “so you are merciful,” this is called Dvekut [adhesion], and at that time he unites with the Creator. For this reason, when a person makes an offering, meaning gives the Creator a part of his possessions, from his self-benefit and pleasure, by this he draws near to the Creator.

This is the meaning of “If any man of you brings an offering,” meaning that one must give a part of you to the Creator, where by observing “so you are merciful,” he draws near to the Creator. This was at the time when the Temple stood.

But now, because of our iniquities, the Temple is ruined and the everlasting fire has been cancelled, and we have no priest in his work, or a Levite on his stand, or Israel in his position, and you said, “that we may present the fruit of our lips.” Our sages said, “This is the law of the offering,” as though he offered an offering of sin, etc.

But he did not give everyone a chance to learn Torah. This was given to us by the participation of Issachar and Zebulun, who made one engagement out of the two of them. Therefore, when they support the learners of the Torah, it is as though they themselves are learning Torah. Hence, by this we will be rewarded with nearing the Creator, and by this we will be rewarded with “It is a tree of life to those who hold it, and those who support it are happy,” and we will be rewarded with complete redemption soon in our days, Amen.