Not All Animals Were Created Equal

Our animal traits may be kosher if they are used for higher purposes.

Three Species: Three Idols

This week’s Torah portion–Vayikra–features the many types of animal sacrifices that one would bring to the Temple. Some sacrifices were from sheep, some from goats and some from oxen.

Maimonides explains in his Guide for the Perplexed that the reason for the Torah’s selection of these three species is connected to the notion that sacrifices were designed to repudiate the various forms of idolatry that were prevalent at that time The Egyptians worshipped the lamb, the Babylonians worshipped the goat and the Indians worshipped the cow. Whenever any of these sacrifices were offered it reinforced the conviction that these idols were powerless.

Maimonides’ thesis is based on one aspect of the need for sacrifices. From this perspective, sacrifices serve a pedagogic end—to wean people off their idolatrous practices. However, in Maimonides’ magnum opus, the Mishneh Torah, Maimonides sees a more positive and mystical side to sacrifices, although he does not elaborate on it.

Not a Sacrifice

Kabbalistic and Chassidic thought, however, does provide an alternative explanation for the selection of these three animal species that is linked to a different, and more positive, understanding of sacrifices.

The English translation of the word korban as sacrifice suggests that we are using and destroying the animal for our own purposes. However, the word korban has a completely different connotation.

Chassidic thought quotes the commentator Rabeinu Bachaye who points to the Hebrew word for sacrifice: Korban, that is etymologically related to the word korov that means to get close. A Korban is thus our way of getting close to G-d.

However, the question can be raised, if a korban is intended to bring us closer to G-d, why do we need the animal?

This reminds us of the humorous story of the man who hired a horse and wagon and wagon driver to transport his merchandise to the fair. But the horse was so old and weak that the merchant and the coach driver had to push it uphill and restrain it going downhill. When he arrived at his destination, he asked the coach driver: “I know why I’m here, and I know what you do. I even understand what function the wagon serves. But why do we need the horse?”

The Obstacle to Getting Closer

To get closer to G-d one must consider that which separates one from Him. Each one of us is a composite of two personalities: our G-dly soul and our animal soul. Our G-dly soul’s interest is to maintain a close relationship with G-d. But the G-dly soul’s ambition is hampered by the animal soul’s desire to satisfy its own selfish needs and interests.

There are two ways one can overcome the problem that our animal soul has created. The first is to shun the animal soul and destroy it. The second approach is to get the animal soul itself to shed its negative traits and to get closer to G-d.

The Goring Ox in the Service of G-d

In order to accomplish this objective, one must understand the nature of one’s animal soul. Not all animal souls were created equal. Some animal souls are like a goring ox. In the modern vernacular we would refer to this personality as a bull in a china shop. This personality has no regard for the other person, and will aggressively trample anything or anyone in his path.

To bring a Korban from an ox is to get the raging bull to use his strength and determination for positive purposes. No matter how many obstacles there might be in one’s path to doing good, the rehabilitated ox will push its way through all of them. The goring ox becomes a passionate force for all that is good and holy.

In addition, the goring ox personality becomes a fighter, an iconoclast; fighting against every evil institution and ideology.

The Animal Indulging on G-d

There are other animal souls that are more like a timid lamb. The problem with the lamb personality is that it is totally self-absorbed and interested in the satisfaction of its appetite.

Self gratification and even narcissism can also be employed in the service of G-d. Rather than focusing on physical pleasures in which to indulge, the lamb Korban is where the person discovers the immense joy and sense of satisfaction in doing spiritual things. One can also derive enjoyment and pleasure from Torah study and helping others. And there can also be no greater blissful state than to communicate with G-d during prayer.

In addition, the timidity of the lamb personality makes it easier for this individual to reconcile with others. The weaker the ego of the animal soul the greater the opportunity to overlook a slight to one’s ego and forgive and forget.

Holy Chutzpah

The third animal soul type is the goat, or brazen individual. This animal soul has a lot of chutzpah and is not intimidated by anyone.

This negative personality can also be brought close to G-d by employing chutzpah in the service of G-d. Rather than being a follower of every fad, one becomes a leader in doing unconventionally positive things. In the words of the Mishnah, “Be bold as a leopard.” Do not be influenced by peer pressure; become a leader and not just a follower.

Instead of destroying the animal characteristics that we possess, a korban involves taking these very characteristics and employing them for positive ends.

The ultimate korban then is to harness one’s animal tendencies that they too shall want to get close to G-d, each animal soul in its own inimitable way.

The Wolf Will Lie with the Lamb

One of the most famous prophecies concerning the Messianic Age is the one of, “the wolf will dwell with the lamb.” (Parenthetically, the often misquoted version of, “the Lion will lie with the lamb” was probably caused by confusing this phrase with a subsequent phrase where it states, “And the lion will eat straw like the ox.”)

The talmudic Sages argued as to whether this verse is to be taken literally. According to the opinion that it is a metaphor it is understood by Maimonides to refer to the way all the nations will live in peace with Israel.

One can also find another metaphoric interpretation of this phenomenon in light of the above analysis of the deeper meaning of the animal sacrifice:

It is a description of how the animal nature within man will be transformed to the point that even the animal within us will be brought close to G-d. Even the part of our personality that is like a devouring wolf will become tame.

From the book Light from the Future: Parshas Vayikra by Rabbi Heschel Greenberg, published by the Jewish Discovery Center.