“Sacrifice” is the way korban is translated,

but this is wrong, imprecise, outdated.

Here’s some news and it may sound odd:

A korban is an act that brings us closer to God.

Dovid HaMelech, felt both when he was whole or tattered,

that closeness to God, for him, was all that mattered.

Moshe is told to address Bnei Yisrael, say to them,

“Adam ki yakriv meihem korban laHashem.”

Sefer Vayikra, thus, starts with a curious thing,

the assumption that a korban is something we will bring.

Because it’s natural that, as in our spirituality we grow,

gratefulness to Hashem is something we will show.

So, on a regular basis, as to shul we go,

may we be blessed to let our gratitude flow.

Rabbi Neil Fleischmann, an ordained rabbi from RIETS, has taught Torah for over 30 years, primarily at The Frisch School, where he coached the award-winning poetry team. As an integral part of the Yeshiva Poetry Society, Fleischmann is a passionate advocate for the arts within the Torah world. He was named New York’s funniest rabbi and has performed stand up comedy, as well as presenting as scholar in residence, across the city and country. His literary work includes the haiku collection, “In The Field,” and he has contributed close to 20 poems to the “Stories of Our Lives” anthologies, parts 1 and 2. Currently, Fleischmann is working on a book of parsha poems that combines meaningful content with whimsical formatting. You can reach him at nfleischmann1@gmail.com.