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What are we to understand and learn from the ancient practices of sacrificing animals on an altar to G-d?
Aish Hatorah explains that, "Man is a microcosm of the entire world." He is made of the water and earth and animal spirit from all, and then G-d added the ineffable spirit of Godliness.
The Hebrew word used in the text of the Torah for sacrifice, קורבנ, Korban, does not mean Sacrifice or Offering. It comes from the root word קרב, to get close. Man's goal is to strive to come as close to G-d as possible.
The many different types of Korbanot offered during the times of the First and Second Temples did not influence G-d. G-d does not need our offerings. They are an expression of our inner yearning to draw close to Him.
In our day and age, with no Holy Temple in Jerusalem, we can no longer bring offerings. It is only when we are true stewards of the physical world, directing it toward G-d in all we think, see, hear, taste, feel, smell that we can come to some understanding of His Wisdom.
Only with that higher level of understanding are we allowed the ultimate power over other living creatures.
- Excerpted and condensed from Aish HaTorah