“If a soul (nefesh) brings a meal offering to Hashem, his offering shall be of fine flour and he shall pour oil on it and he shall place frankincense on it,” (Vayikra 2:1).

Towards the beginning of this week’s parsha, we learn about the meal offering—made out of fine flour, oil and frankincense. Rashi comments that this offering stands out from all others:

“Of all the voluntary sacrifices, it only says ‘nefesh’ with the meal offering. Who is wont to volunteer a meal offering? A poor person. The Holy One Blessed Be He said, “I count it for him (the poor person) as if he offered his soul,”” (Rashi, Vayikra 2:1).

Rashi (quoting the Gemara in Menachot 104b) explains that although a poor person may not be able to afford an expensive animal or birds to bring as an offering, Hashem treats his modest offering as if he sacrificed his soul.

However, we can ask: If it is not how much a person volunteers which is important, but the effort they put in and the intentions behind their donation, why are the sacrifices listed in price order? If the poor person’s meal offering is so precious before Hashem, why is it taught last?

According to the Kli Yakar, these sacrifices are not listed in order of importance. Rather, he explains: “The earlier a person appears in the verse, the more likely he is to sin … and whoever is greater than his fellow with wealth or with honor, his (evil) inclination is greater … Therefore, it first mentions the cattle for the one who is offering it is presumably rich, and then it mentions the flock, for it is the way of the (person with) average (wealth) to offer flock, and then it mentions the bird offering, for it is the way of the poor to bring birds, and then it mentions the meal offering, which is brought by the poorest of the poor,” (Kli Yakar, Vayikra 2:1).

Wealth is not inherently evil and many wealthy people are exceptionally righteous, generous and humble. At the same time, the Kli Yakar warns against the potential dangers of growing in wealth or honor. When we—as individuals or as a society—become wealthy or important, we risk reaching the arrogant assumption that it is our own greatness and power which has brought us such wealth. As we begin to serve ourselves and forget to serve Hashem, our evil inclination grows and we are more likely to sin.

“And you might say in your heart, ‘My strength and the might of my hand made me all this wealth.’ Then you shall remember Hashem, your God, for He is the one who gives you strength to make wealth … ” (Devarim 8:18–19).

Rabbi Danny Mirvis is CEO of World Mizrachi, and rabbi of Ohel Moshe Synagogue in Herzliya Pituach. He is a member of the Mizrachi Speakers
Bureau (www.mizrachi.org/speakers).