Hebrew
The Holy Tongue (Lashon Hakodesh)
Why we (the non-Jews) get it wrong?
“Commandment”
the English word “commandment”
connotes an order imposed upon us by a strict and punishing G-d.
“Mitzvah”
But the Hebrew word “mitzvah” implies an honor and privilege
given to the Jews, a responsibility that the Jews undertook as part of the
covenant they made with G-d, a good deed that we are eager to
perform.
“Sacrifice”
The English word “sacrifice” implies that the person bringing it is expected
to deprive himself of something valuable – but G-d finds no joy in His children’s
anguish or deprivation.
“Offering” is more positive and closer to the mark. But it too fails far short
of the Hebrew word “korban.”
“Korban”
The Hebrew word “korban” means to come near.
The person bringing an offering comes closer to G-d; he elevates his level of
spirituality. That is the true meaning of the word and the significance of the act.
There is more…
