The well established custom has been to begin teaching a child Chumash from Sefer Vayikra, even though Sefer Bereishis and Sefer Shemos might be more pedagogically appealing because of the various narratives, Chazal comment, “ohruvyc uexg,hu ohruvy utch,” Let pure souls come and occupy themselves with pure things.” Horav Moshe Swift, zl, elucidates Chazal’s words in the following manner. Torah is not merely a book of knowledge, it is a book of life. It is the source of life for our people. Its focus is not the brain, but rather the neshamah, soul. Torah penetrates the soul of a Jew and imbues him with purity. It molds his character, while it shapes his thought process.
True, the young child does not yet have the acumen for grasping the profundities of the laws of sacrifices, but that is not the essence of Torah study. The Torah, as Horav Swift aptly explains, is zor’ea tzedakos, a seed planted in the soul. Properly cultivated, the seed will develop, so that the individual child maures into a ben Torah, a child of the Torah. The child whose pure innocent ears have heard the pure words of Torah will develop a relationship with Hashem in which the spirit and the flesh become one. Such a child will grow up with a different attitude toward life, morality and purity.
We may suggest another reason for initiating a child’s education with the laws of korbanos. To be a Jew demands that one realize that he is accountable for whatever he does. The word “coincidence” does not reflect a Torah orientation. Nothing is coincidental! When one does not act in accordance with the dictate of Hashem, he must seek penance. He offers a korban to bring himself near to Hashem to expiate his inappropriate behavior, to “apologize” and demonstrate his remorse. Indeed, if one performs an aveirah b’shogeg, sins inadvertently, he must still offer a korban. The well worn excuse of, “I didn’t think,” is not legitimate in our Torah society. A Jew must always think – think about before Whom he stands and Who has granted him his mission in life. When the child is made aware of his lofty charge, he will endeavor to carry out his mission responsibly.
