Welcome to the short, practical Lelamed Weekly Dvar and Daily Aliyah. As always, you can Order The Daily Aliyah <https://mosaicapress.com/product/the-daily-aliyah/> and receive your hard copy of these daily practical and relevant Torah thoughts (all proceeds go to Daily Giving), or join this Whatsapp group <https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaXjlYD47Xe8qetMzj3P> to receive one per day. I hope you find this meaningful... _______________________________________________ The parashah introduces the voluntary meal-offerings with the phrase: “And if a soul brings a meal-offering” (2:1). While other sacrifices that are brought also cleanse the soul, Rashi explains that this is the only instance where the word “soul” is used to designate the donor. Why is this the only meal-offering being provided by the soul? What is the significance? Rav Shamshon Raphael Hirsch provides valuable insight into how these voluntary offerings are different from all others. While other offerings represent the souls themselves being offered, the Minchah offering is the soul giving of its possessions. The Minchah offering consists of flour, oil, and frankincense. Flour represents essential nourishment, oil reflects comforts, and frankincense corresponds to the added satisfaction of luxuries. By donating each of these items to the service of God, we are literally sacrificing our personal comforts in a voluntary offering. When we sincerely and voluntarily sacrifice our own interests and conveniences to others, the recipients can sense and appreciate the personal and meaningful nature of these gifts, which draws us closer to each other every time. Shlomo Ressler _____________________________________________ Quotation of the week: “The value of a gift lies not in its price, but in the love with which it is given.”