As we leave the time of Pesach and transition into our standard routines and practices, a thought remains: Perhaps it might serve us well to remember the various ways we can serve our Creator through our many gifts.
Reading new daily sections of the Korbanot over the first 13 days of Nisan reminds us of the beauty of dedication to Hashem through our prayers, as we await the rebuilding of the Third Temple. I couldn’t help but recall the sanctity of the luminous voice of Avrom Tolmasov — and before him, Isak Katayev — in their singing of Qurbon Olam («I will sacrifice»): a timeless and deeply enchanting melody, sung in Uzbek, sanctified by the golden voices of Bukharian Jews.
Their talents and dedication to their craft is almost supernatural – the most materialistic person cannot help being transported to a higher spiritual realm upon hearing their pleas – not “wails”. Pleas for the acceptance of a divine love, a supernal beauty – a true wanting and “cleaving to Hashem”.
Many of us did a fine job at cleaning our chametz before the Passover Holiday. In listening to Qurbon Olam and allowing myself to be transported to higher levels of receptivity, I find no desire in rushing to a chametz-driven lifestyle after Passover. I feel more connected to staying unleavened, and free of the pride of material enlargement for the sake of mere appetite.
I find it also helpful to recall that a qurbon, a sacrifice, in many ways is meant as a current-day metaphor to bring us closer to Hashem. A prayer, zemirot sung by true Masters, and much more from our own daily lives can serve the same purpose. Is this not what Hashem wants? Is this not what many of us observant Jews strive for? For the former, I make no pretense of knowing the answer. For the latter, and for myself personally, I find much meaningful engagement in such mitzvot – the opportunity to enact our faith and love for Hashem by showing up and being-present for each other.
How powerful as a people can we be when we see our Avodat Hashem (service of Hashem) embedded within our daily interactions? Our sacrifices and offerings to Hashem (may they be lovingly accepted) can shake the foundations of much of our material-driven existence to pave the way for a higher, and more spiritually refined way of being with ourselves, and others. Many have said The Moshiach will be of such a grand stature that he will be able to appeal to the multitude by showing and reminding how much we are interconnected.
Perhaps starting with ourselves is the first step, even just among our own individual selves. In a touching play written by French-born writer, Michel Tessier, portraying a living dialogue between the 18th century Chasidic leader, Rabbi Levy Yitzhak of Berditchev and a contemporary French-Jewish man, David–the Rabbi is heard saying: “When you come in here, bring your own burden. When you leave, carry your brother’s. This way, the house {synagogue} will always remain full …of shared prayers.” (Levy Yitzhak of Berditchev: Beyond the Breach, Michel Tessier, 2025).
Our shared prayers, our collective sacrifices and Qurbon, our songs of praise, our enduring mitzvot – these are the pathways of light than can illuminate the darkest of moments and bring our personal and collective Salvation. And who knows where that can lead?
By Dmitri Oster, LCSW