Good Intentions

Shavua Tov. Regarding קרבנות, unlike Christianity, that assumes that now that we no longer have sacrifices, we need another means of atonement. And they think they have the answer as to how to achieve atonement. Judaism, on the other hand, believes that even when we did offer sacrifices, if they were offered with bad intent, they do not achieve their intended goal. We see this in the story of King Shaul and Shmuel, where Shmuel clearly tells Shaul that Hashem doesn’t care about sacrifices, if the one offering them does not listen to His voice. The Prophet Isaiah begins his book with the words, למה לי רוב זבחכם, “Why do I need your abundant sacrifices?” Hashem sees the intent that the one offering the sacrifices has. This is why the poor man’s meal offering, that comes with good intentions, carries with it more importance than the bull offered with bad intentions by the wealthy person. In general we learn that one’s כוונה, good intentions, are what is necessary for Mitzvot to bear fruit. This is the message learned from the קרבנות.