Acharei Mos-Kedoshim
Parshas Acharei Mos speaks about the avodah performed on Yom Kippur, one being the ketores. The Torah says, “And he – Aharon the Kohen Gadol shall put incense on the fire before Hashem.” The Gemara writes that the Kohen Gadol needed to put the incense on the fire inside the Kodesh HaKodashim, not outside. This is as opposed to the belief of the tzedokim who would wrongly explain the passuk that the Kohen Gadol should put the incense on the fire outside, before entering the Kodesh HaKodashim.
The Divrei Sha’arei Chaim teaches that the proper way for a Yid with his Torah and mitzvos is to first burn inside his own heart the fire of avodas Hashem. Only then, once he has lit a glowing fire within himself, can he then reach outwards toward others and spread his influence. The tzedokim, however, wrongly do the opposite. They try to teach others Torah and mussar, while they themselves are still far from having the flame of avodas Hashem within their own hearts.
The Ma’ayana Shel Torah writes that this idea is spelled out in the words of the passuk, “and he shall put the ketores on the fire before Hashem.” A Yid should first kindle a fire of avodas Hashem within himself and then he can extend outwards; just as the Kohen Gadol who burns the incense inside the Kodesh HaKodashim.
Avi U’Mori related that he had met in the airport a long-time friend of his that he hadn’t seen for many years. To say the least, the person had a big bushy head of hair, which was totally unusual for a man. My father asked him, “what are you doing these days?” The person responded “I am working in kiruv.” My father told me, “Instead of this person influencing others the way he should, he has unfortunately become influenced by others.” A person must have a fire burning continuously inside his heart to remind himself “Hashem is constantly right before me.” When the fire is lit and is burning the right way, a person will be a dedicated oved Hashem and he will be able to influence others in the most effective way.
May we all be zoche to increase the fire of avodas Hashem within ourselves and influence others too!
