I was shocked to hear that a prominent yeshiva omits the daily recital of “Eizehu Mekoman Shel Zevachim.” The following are eight compelling reasons why this practice should not be emulated:
1) The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 50) dedicates an entire chapter to highlight the importance of saying this beautiful perek of Mishnayot. The Mishna Berura, Aruch Hashulchan and Kaf HaChaim cite no authority who disagrees with the Shulchan Aruch.
2) This perek does not present any machloket (dispute, although some of the matters are subject to dispute). The Kaf HaChaim presents the stunning fact that this perek is the only chapter in the entire mishna that does not record a machloket! Thus, this perek is a “Mishna Berura”—clear and straightforward.
3) This perek brilliantly presents the basic halachot of the various korbanot we offer in the Beit Hamikdash. It is a wonderful daily review of the fundamental rules governing korbanot.
4) I heard a questionable claim that this perek constitutes bitul Torah, lost time from Torah study. Quite to the contrary, if one devotes some time to studying and mastering this perek, then the daily recital of “Eizehu Mekoman” reinforces one’s knowledge of the fundamentals of the avodah in the Beit Hamikdash service.
5) Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik observes that the Torah’s detractors—from classic Christian anti-Jewish polemics to modern-day Bible critics—devote special effort to degrade korbanot. To combat these attacks, Chazal emphasized korbanot’s centrality in several ways:
- While the Talmud Bavli does not comment on almost all of Sefer Zeraim and Seder Taharot because—for the most part—it is not applicable outside of Eretz Yisrael, it devotes massive attention to the avodah in the Beit Hamikdash. Masechtot Zevachim and Menachot are among the longest tractates in Shas.
- Traditionally, children are taught Sefer Vayikra before the rest of Chumash.
- The daily recital of the perek “Eizehu Mekoman.”
6) Rav Hershel Schachter goes as far as to say that the daily recital of korbanot constitutes a Torah-level mitzvah. His assertion stems from the following Gemara (Megillah 31b; translation from the William Davidson edition of the Talmud), which communicates the supreme value of our study of korbanot:
“And with regard to Abraham, it is written: ‘And he said, “O Lord, God, by what shall I know that I shall inherit it?”’ (Genesis 15:8). Abraham said before the Holy One, Blessed be He: “Master of the Universe, perhaps, Heaven forbid, the Jewish people will sin before You, and You will do to them as You did to the generation of the flood and as You did to the generation of the dispersion, i.e., You will completely destroy them?” God said to him: ‘No, I will not do that.’
Abraham then said before Him: “Master of the Universe: ‘By what shall I know this?’” God said to him: “Take Me a heifer of three years old,” (Genesis 15:9). With this, God intimated to Abraham that even if his descendants will sin, they will be able to achieve atonement through sacrificing offerings. Abraham said before Him: ‘Master of the Universe, this works out well when the Temple is standing and offerings can be brought to achieve atonement, but when the Temple will no longer be standing, what will become of them?’ God said to him: “I have already established for them the order of offerings, i.e., the verses of the Torah pertaining to the halachot of the offerings. Whenever they read those portions, I will deem it as if they sacrificed an offering before Me, and I will pardon them for all of their iniquities.””
7) Yirmiyahu HaNavi (30:17) bemoans Jerusalem’s neglect. The Gemara (Rosh Hashanah 30a), in turn, infers that Yirmiyahu charges us with the obligation to focus our attention on Yerushalayim (Derishat Tzion). What better way to be Doresh Tziyon than the daily recital of “Eizehu Mekoman?” In this manner, we maintain Yerushalayim “Al Rosh Simchati,” (Tehillim 137:6).
8) Finally, and most importantly, Tosafot (Sanhedrin 24a s.v. Belula) mentions that the daily recital of “Eizehu Mekoman” ensures we do not miss a day of mishna learning.
Conclusion
If the Shacharit minyan you attend does not say “Eizehu Mekoman Shel Zevachim,” politely suggest to the rabbi and gabbai that the policy be amended. If such efforts are unsuccessful, arrive a few minutes earlier to Shacharit to ensure you do not miss the opportunity to recite this wonderful perek. How can one even consider missing the precious opportunity to recite this magnificent perek?!
Rabbi Jachter serves as the rav of Congregation Shaarei Orah, rebbe at Torah Academy of Bergen County and a get administrator with the Beth Din of Elizabeth. Rabbi Jachter’s 18 books may be purchased at Amazon and Judaica House.
