On burnings and slaughterings

In the Yom Kippur davening, we keep mentioning the zechus of the akeida. We petition Hashem to remember the mesirus nefesh displayed during this monumental trial - and in its merit grant us a chance at life and serving Him better etc. etc. But why is the akeida known as Avraham's nisayon ? And what pivotal role does it play in our convictions to become better Jews ?

When we ponder the meaning of such phrases as 'the ultimate sacrifice', we can't help but assume that there is nothing more heroic than giving up our life for something. Yet, there does seem to be an action that is even more fundamental in it's devotion than dying for something.

It's living for it.

While deciding to die for a cause or an ideal is a tough decision - it's a decision that you can make only once. Living for something - that's a decision that gets replayed over and over and over and over. It takes much more conviction and strength of character to live for something, reaffirming that initial decision a million times over. So, while for Yitzchak Avinu, the willing participation in the akeida was a show of dedication, for Avraham Avinu it was a show of mesirus nefesh a hundred times greater. That's why we ask Hashem to recall the great zechus of the akeida. It represents a truly awesome level of dedication to Hashem. It is also the reason that we seek to employ this merit in our process of teshuva - because Hashem doesn't want us to perish in retribution for our sins ( even if this would cleanse us of them ! ). Rather, Hashem would prefer that we repent from our wayward actions and live. A life of service to Hashem - a life that reaffirms and reenforces that intitial decision to return to Him every moment of every day thereafter.

Secondly, in the prayers there is a strong current of yearning for the return of the avodas beis hamikdash. What about the animal sacrifices that were brought are we trying to recall fondly ? The blood ? The guts ? If our perspective of the holy korbanos is limited to the animals which took part - we are sorely shortsighted. True, animals were slaughtered in a ritual fashion and parts were sprinkled on the mizbeach.

The most fundamental part, however, was the fire that consumed them.

If we look at the pesukim that describe the avodah the most striking refrences are to the consuming fire. We know that the avodah in the Beis Hamikdash was replaced by our davening, but did we realize that the core of the process is still the same ?! Just like a fire - once it gets going will continue to grow and roar of its own volition - so too our prayers just need one little injection of sincere enthusiasm and 'fire' from us - and then Hashem will grant us the divine assistance neccesary for a meaningful davening.

Our tefillos have the power of the Aish Tamid, the power of the ever burning flame that graced G-od's own temple!

May it be His will that all of klal yisrael's tefilos be accepted by the Merciful One Above on this our day of greatest closeness to Him, and that we should merit to be sealed in the books of goodness, repentenance and sincere service of Him, always. Amen.