The Torah uses an unusual term to describe the person who brings a Korban Minchah, Meal-offering, to the Mizbayach. He is a nefesh, a soul. Chazal explain that the Torah is teaching us an important lesson. Usually, the individual who brings a Korban Minchah is poor. Otherwise, he would have brought something more expensive, like a sheep or even an ox. The poor man has very little, and he offers a paltry gift from his pitiful possessions. Hashem understands what is transpiring in the poor man’s mind. He has so very little, what can he really give for Hashem? A Korban Minchah represents the poor man’s scraping, saving and struggling to demonstrate his gratitude. To us, the poor man’s korban may not look like much, but to Hashem it is priceless. He is offering his nefesh, soul. This is how the Almighty views this poor man’s devotion.
Horav Shimshon Pincus, zl, posits that though the Bais Hamikdash is gone, we still have a korban ashir, rich man’s offering, and a korban ani, poor man’s offering. How pathetic does it appear when a man comes to shul supposedly to learn after a long, hard day, but he can hardly keep his eyes open. He tries to focus on the shiur, but the words keep disappearing, as his eyes begin to shut.
While such a person may seem to be spiritually weak in our eyes, Hashem loves him. He is sacrificing his entire being. Sure, he would rather be home relaxing or taking a nap; yet, with his last ounce of strength, he drags himself to the bais ha’medrash to attend a shiur. It may neither be the best, nor is it the biggest – but it is all that he has. To Hashem, this counts for very much.
