Daf Yomi, Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, Torah and Psychology, Marriage Counseling, Psychotherapy
Our Gemara on this daf discusses the requirement of certain sacrifices to be slaughtered on the north side of the courtyard in the Temple.
Meshech Chochma (Vayikra 1:10-13) notes that the Torah explicitly states the requirement of slaughtering on the north side (tzafon) in regard to the sacrifice brought from sheep and goats (Hebrew “tzoan”), even though through scriptural derivations, it was required in many sacrifices. Meshech Chochma answers based on a Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 2:10) that the north (tzafon) hints at the Akeida whose ashes remain hidden and stored away (Hebrew tzafoon) as they bring merit to the future generations. He adds, the Hebrew word for North (tzafon) is of the same root as hidden (tzafoon), because it is the one area of the sky that the sun does not manifest. This represents an openness without any blockage. Avraham's sacrifice was turning to God and offering everything without reservation. That is like the open horizon without anything or any heavenly body interfering.
All of this might seem excessive. Is that really the function of sacrifices? Can these rules about location truly be effective in arousing these heavenly responses and spiritual states? In some ways, it would be more satisfying if the commentaries simply said “We don’t know what God wanted here and all we know is that He asks of us to do it, and so it must be a good thing.” In some ways that would be easier to digest than these fine-tuned, subtle symbolic ideas.
After going through many laws and requirements in different kinds of sacrifices, and offering explanations of their symbolic meaning, the Rambam in the Guide for the Perplexed (III:46) raises a similar question. His response is to not underestimate how human nature works. Symbolism is highly impactful on human consciousness.
Most of the Torah, e.g. shofar, tefilin, mezuzah, matzah, Succah etc are symbolic acts. Indeed, human expression through artistic actions such as song and painting are continuous and constant in every culture, primitive or complex. There are paintings in the darkest of caves that go back to cultures and civilizations long extinct, with no technology to speak of. They did not have plumbing, skyscrapers or modern medicine, but needed to paint their homes with murals expressing their deepest feelings. This is human nature and unavoidable, and not to be avoided or disparaged, rather to be respected and harnessed.
The actions performed in the service of the sacrifices are often psychologically, and spiritually symbolic or reminiscent of desired states. We discussed many times throughout Zevachim and Menachos what various laws and actions symbolize. In a general sense as per the Ralbag at the beginning of Vayikra as well as the Toras HaOlah throughout the sefer, the person observing and bringing the sacrifice via the shock of witnessing the slaughtering and evisceration of the beast can enter into a meditative state - almost a prophetic trance. He reflects about himself, his vulnerability, and the dichotomy between the physical and spiritual natures of human existence.
Slaughtering on the north side through linguistic similarity, “reminds God” — which really means it is reminding us - of a spiritual peak of devotion and self-sacrifice our ancestor achieved, and energizes us today.
Translations Courtesy of Sefaria, except when, sometimes, I disagree with the translation
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Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, LCSW-R, LMFT, DHL is a psychotherapist who works with high conflict couples and families. He can be reached via email at simchafeuerman@gmail.com