Throughout Bamidbar Hashem speaks to Moshe, however here in Korach Hashem speaks to Aaron although Rashi (Sifrei Korach 17) tells us that he is not actually speaking directly to Aaron but indirectly through Moshe (detailing the portion that he and his sons are given forever.)
Bamidbar 18:19. All the gifts of the holy [offerings] which are set aside by the children of Israel for the Lord I have given to you, and to your sons and daughters with you, as an eternal portion; it is like an eternal covenant of salt before the Lord, for you and your descendants with you.
The Kohanim are like the Levites given no land as their portion in the Promised Land. The gifts of the sacrifices are their portion. This is called a covenant of salt meaning that which is durable and lasting representing a high level of service for salt is used to make food more palatable and is thus invaluable for sustenance and satisfaction.
How then may we apply this service of the Kohanim directly to what takes place within in terms of our understanding of Torah and of the way things work?
Throughout the day we have a multitude of thoughts. Some of them are holy and others are base, negative and on the whole not worth the effort we spent thinking them. Still it is the nature of thought to group together like vibrations and make them into something larger. Imagine a team such as the Los Angeles Lakers or New York Yankees that work together for a larger purpose.
Problems arise when we start to be overwhelmed by our negative thoughts. This is because left to their own devices these thoughts would eventually work to our detriment bringing about chaos and confusion in mind as well as in actual objective form.
This has to be a way to let go of these thoughts of a baser nature. This is where the idea of sacrifice comes in and the uplifted Tikkun (correction) of sanctification arises. The Kohanim represent therefore those highest thoughts that stand off by themselves protected from the negative influences by dint of their proximity to the holiness of the Mishkan, the dwelling place of Hashem.
What is analogous to the sacrifices being offered are when we realize within that our negative thinking is making us upset. Then having become conscious that something is amiss we seek to make amends. It is here that we reach up for our higher thoughts to bond our attention within those thoughts and then we are able to let go of those thoughts that are weighing us down.
What then happens to those thoughts that were weighing us down and now no longer have any hold upon us? What too becomes of the reality show that is our life being live each moment?
Just like the sacrifices are consumed by the fire of the holiness of Hashem via their sanctification so too are our negative thoughts transformed in a similar manner by their association with higher thoughts. In terms of Kabbalah these negative thoughts become klippoth or shells of existence losing the vital sustaining force called sparks which then return to their maker.
A similar kind of recovering of sparks takes place according to Shaar Hagilgulim in a process called Chibut Hakever. At the time of a soul's passing it is said that a group of four angels take the soul when it is placed in the grave and shake it to remove the klippoth that have attached themselves to that soul. It is a process akin to the shaking of a garment. These klippoth have accumulated not only because of one's negative actions during life but also they are built in due to the sin of Adam eating of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. For the most part every soul has to undergo this Chibut Hakever with a few exceptions such as a Tzaddik, or someone who has already done their Tikkun due to suffering while in a body because of performing great mitzvoth. In this case klippoth are cast aside so that the soul may ascend.
The same kind of process takes place during life as thoughts are shaken off once we are attached to our highest thoughts via our connection to Hashem in body soul and mind.
The sacrifices, their distinctions and the various rituals accompanying their performance are key markers in determining the spiritual well being of a person and of the people Israel. This is why it is so important to establish your awareness as to where your thoughts are coming from and where they are going. A focused awareness is one that seeks Hashem (where thoughts are coming from) and then with a full heart serves Hashem (where your thoughts are going to)
B"H
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