In this week’s Parsha (1:2), the pasuk says, “Adam ki yakriv mikem karbon lashem” – when a person from you offers a sacrifice to Hashem. There is a question here: The Torah could have simply said Adam ki yakriv karbon lashem – when a person brings a sacrifice to Hashem. Why the extra word mikem – from you? I would like to share with you an incredible lesson that I heard from my father, Rav Yitzchok Fingerer shlita: The Sfas Emes says that the ultimate sacrifice is not the offering that you’re giving to Hashem. What Hashem really wants is mikem – Hashem wants you. Hashem wants you more than animal sacrifices. The ultimate sacrifice that you can give Hashem is yourself. Hashem wants your sincerity, your conviction, and your heart. Hashem wants us to be the best we can possibly be!
We must ask ourselves what we are giving up from within ourselves. Is there something in your nature or personality – a struggle you have? Is there a temptation that you are giving up or sacrificing? Hashem wants you more than anything else. Hashem wants your strengths, talents, and devotion – that’s Adam ki akriv mikem, the person who brings from mikem – from within him. That’s the deepest and most important sacrifice, more than any other offering!
Over 100 years ago in Vienna, Austria, there was a young girl who had a beautiful and amazing voice. However, for a religious girl professional singing was not an option. One day, a famous agent heard about this girl’s incredible voice, and he offered her a very lucrative opportunity and career as an opera singer. The young star was thrilled, so she decided to discuss the matter with her parents. When her parents heard this, they decided that they would do all within their power, to not allow her to take this offer. However, the young girl refused to listen to her parents.
Eventually, the family’s Rav suggested that they go to Rav Yitzchok Meir, the Kapytshnitzer Rebbe, who was in Vienna at the time. Immediately, the father went with his daughter to see the Rebbe, who spoke with the girl. The Rebbe asked the girl, “Why do you want this position so badly? The girl answered honestly: “It’s because of the fame that I will find. I will be known throughout the world.” The Rebbe closed his eyes, deep in thought, contemplating the aspirations the girl had just expressed. After a few moments, the Rebbe opened his eyes and said, “It is the dream of every young Jewish woman to be blessed with a child who will illuminate the world through his Torah learning. I give you my promise that if you now sacrifice your chance at fame, there will come a time when you will be blessed with a child who will light up the world. He will become one of the greatest halachic authorities of his time. Your fame will come, but it will be through him – your son.”
The young girl wiped away her tears and thought deeply about the magnanimous promise the Rebbe had just made to her. She was a fine Jewish girl and after considering the offer, she accepted the Rebbe’s proposition. Eventually, this girl got married and had a son named Shmuel. This Shmuel grew up to be the great Shevet Levi – Rav Shmuel Halevi Wosner one of the greatest Rabbis of the time! Why? Because his mother gave up for Hashem, she gave from mikem – she gave from herself. She gave her talents to Hashem. She sacrificed her career!
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