The Ultimate Sacrifice
After a daring hostage rescue in Rafah last year, several IDF officers who participated in the mission reflected on their experiences in a powerful media interview.
“Was the risk worth the rescue of two people?” a reporter asked.
Commander D responded without hesitation:
"We don't measure a person's worth in comparison to another. If two soldiers die, it doesn't mean the operation is a failure—it's not a zero-sum game. There's something much greater at play. We accept the responsibility that we may be harmed for something bigger than ourselves. That's who we are."
Commander A shared his personal experience:
"I won't lie—there was fear. During the preparations, I had butterflies in my stomach, thinking about what could happen and how I'd react. But once the mission began, my pulse was steady at 60. I can't explain it."
In many areas of life, we operate based on logic and self-interest. We invest our time, energy, and resources in pursuits that bring us success, joy, and security. But there are moments when we are called to rise above personal gain and make sacrifices for something greater than ourselves.
IDF soldiers, many with families and young children waiting at home, willingly put their lives on the line. They do so knowing they are fighting for the Jewish people—for something far beyond their own existence.
The same is true for each of us, especially in these times. We are all enlisted to fight for what we believe in, for truth, and for our Jewish future. Sometimes, we must suspend our logic and calculated lives and make sacrifices for the sake of something greater than ourselves.
The Connection Between Sacrifice and Spiritual Growth
This week's Torah portion, Vayikra, introduces the concept of sacrifices (Korbanot) brought in the Temple. The Hebrew word Korban shares a root with Kerov, meaning closeness. Through sacrifice—offering something valuable for a higher purpose—one draws closer to G-d and strengthens their connection to others.
The Arizal, Rabbi Yitzchak Luria (1534, Jerusalem- 1572, Safed, Israel) explains that the Temple sacrifices, which was the vehicle of the elevation of the world to G‑d, had to include “representatives” of all four sectors of creation: the inanimate world, the vegetable world, the animal world and the human world. Thus the sacrifice was offered by a human being, and consisted of an animal, grain and salt.
In the past, these sacrifices were a physical act of devotion, a means of bridging the human and the Divine. Though the Temple service ended nearly 2,000 years ago, the spiritual essence of sacrifice remains relevant in our daily lives.
Each of us contains two opposing forces:
A G-dly soul, which is infinite, selfless, and seeks a higher purpose.
An animal soul, which focuses on physical survival—eating, working, and seeking comfort.
One of the unique gifts of being human is the ability to harness our instincts and channel them toward a higher mission. This is the essence of the sacrifice: refining our natural desires and elevating them toward something greater.
Thankfully, we are not required to put our lives on the line as many of our brothers and sisters throughout history have. However, we must be willing to step out of our comfort zones to fulfill another mitzvah and grow in our connection with G-d and our Divine souls, even if it requires personal sacrifice.
For some, this might mean striving to eat kosher and avoiding non-kosher food. For others, it could be enrolling children in a Jewish school despite the financial challenges. It may mean taking time out of our busy day to learn Torah or observing Shabbat to the best of our ability, even if it requires giving up certain conveniences.
A Vision for the Future
Today we must focus on controlling and directing our base instincts. But in the era of redemption, when negativity will be removed from the world, our inner struggles will cease. As the prophet Zechariah states: "I will remove the spirit of impurity from the earth" (Zechariah 13:2).
At that time, we will no longer need to choose between comfort and sacrifice because the world will naturally align with its Divine core, and we will instinctively gravitate toward goodness. May this reality come speedily in our days!
