Transforming the Inner Self

Torah is eterenal. Each of its commandments, including those not practiced today, contains a timeless message that imparts wisdom and inspiration even to contemporary man living in a modern society.


Of what modern relevance is the commandment to offer animal sacrifices?


In "Transforming the Inner Self", Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of Chabad-Chasidism, teaches that each of us possesses certain character traits that are "animalistic", or materialistic in nature. Though note inherently evil, these traits can lead a person toward a life of material indulgence and spiritual indifference.


Our charge, then, is to "sacrifice" and transform the animal within, to refine our animal traits and utilize them in our pursuit of spiritual perfection. Following the meditative process described in this discourse, our minds become a chamber for spiritual though, which alters the very composition of our materialistic traits.