As Heard From Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

“To waive it as a wave-offering before Hashem.”

Said Rabbi Jochanan: He waives it forth and back to Him that owns the four winds, and he heaves it up and down to Him that owns the heavens and the earth. (Succah 37B) Thus the Mitzvah of T’nufah is intended, among other purposes, to demonstrate that the meat which men enjoy is a miracle of kindliness which can be bestowed solely by the Master of the winds and the owner of heaven and earth.

The cattle and sheep produce meat from the grass and the water which they ingest, and this in itself is a marvel of bottomless profundity, never to be equaled by any human contrivance. But the grass is a stupendous miracle in itself, for it is derived from the carbon-dioxide which composes but three parts in 10,000 of the air. The plant would quickly exhaust all the carbon-dioxide which is near it, and the plant would then perish. But the wondrous movement of the air (the 4 winds) provides a constant stream of additional carbon-dioxide, and “The world could not exist without the winds.” (Taanit 3B)

An essential component, the sunlight, is also supplied by the Master of the heavens: and from 93 million miles away the light hastens at 186,000 miles per second at the bidding of its Master. The rain which nourishes the plant is derived from the bitter sea-water, which the sun evaporates and distills into pure water which nourishes the vegetation. The winds that convey the clouds of water-vapor over the continents, the sun that raises the pure water-vapor from the seas, the gravity which causes the condensed drops to fall, the miracle of soil in its ability to produce food, and many other infinitely cunning contrivances of which only the Master of the Winds and the owner of heaven and earth are capable.

All are testimonials to the endless Wisdom and Kindliness of their Creator. For this purpose the Mitzvah of T’nufah comes, to declare that the meat of the cattle and the flock, as well as all food, should be utilized by men in order to gain the chief achievement of Life: The Awareness of The Creator’s Wisdom and Kindliness.

Quoted from “A Kingdom of Cohanim” by Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

Shabbat Shalom

Related posts:

1. Parshat Tsav As Heard from Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L “To waive it...
2. Parshat Emor As Heard from Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L “For your favor”...
3. Parshat Matot-Masei As Heard From Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L “Mizmor Shir Leyom...
4. Perashiot Matot-Masei As Heard from Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L “Mizmor Shir Leyom...
5. Parshat Matot As Heard from Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L “Mizmor Shir Leyom...