Quick Thoughts on the Parsha

In the fourth aliyah of Parshat Vayikra, we learn about the שלמים offering. Chazal discuss why it is called שלמים and specifically explore its relationship to שלום, peace. Rashi records two answers on Vayikra 3:1. First, מטילים שלום בעולם, ‘because the שלמים instill peace in the world’. We see this because through our sacrifices to God-- today through our tefillot-- we petition God, עושה שלום, to bring about peace. The שלמים are meant to lead to Divinely instituted peace. Rashi’s second answer is, שלמים שיש בהם שלום למזבח, ולכהנים, ולבעלים, ‘because שלמים bring about peace since some portion goes to the altar, some to the kohanim, and some to the owner of the sacrifice’. In this reason, the שלמים itself creates peace in a very practical way because it is fairly distributed to everyone involved in the offering. Everyone is taken care of, provided for, and nourished. Rashi’s two answers on our pasuk teach us about the two paths to peace that we must pursue: that between man and God and that between man and man. The hard part is knowing when each is needed. Today, when we see moments of conflict, whether in our relationships, at work, or perhaps on a much wider level in the world, may we know when to turn to God in sacrifice and prayer and when to act and make peace happen between people.

--Rabbanit Alissa