June 19, 2026 Categories: In Print / Halacha & Hashkafa
Daf Yomi
No Halacha Is Irrelevant
“Anticipating The Arrival of Moshiach”
As we are in the midst of the study of Kodashim and specifically Tractate Zevachim that deals with the laws of korbanos, it is worthwhile to reflect upon the words of the saintly Chafetz Chaim, zt”l, who extols the virtues and benefits of studying this particular topic of Torah.
The Chafetz Chaim in his preface to Sefer Likutei Halachos explains that although the laws concerning sacrifices in our time have no practical relevance in the absence of the Beis HaMikdash, there are many meaningful reasons to engage in their study.
To Study, To Observe, And for Its Own Sake
Aside from studying Torah in order to be able to properly observe the mitzvos, studying Torah is in and of itself a mitzvah. Even if one knows all the halachos, there is still a mitzvah to study Torah for its own sake in order to get closer to Hashem.Pleasing To Hashem
The Chafetz Chaim explains that studying sections of the Torah that have no practical relevance today is particularly pleasing to Hashem because it demonstrates one’s love for the study of His Torah for its own sake and not to gain some practical instruction.An Actual Sacrifice
As noted in several places in Shas and Midrash, our Sages taught that today, when we are bereft of our Beis HaMikdash, one who engages in the study of the korbanos is considered as having actually sacrificed that korban and Hashem forgives his sins. (Mishna Berurah O.C. 48:sk1).An Imminent Need for Teachers
The Chafetz Chaim felt that since we all eagerly await the arrival of Mashiach and the restoration of the Beis HaMikdash at which time the korbanos will again be offered, it is essential for all to be prepared – the Kohanim, who will have to actually perform the service in the Beis HaMikdash, as well as the Yisraelim, since some laws relate to them as well. Moreover, there will be great need to have rabbanim – scholars who are well versed in these laws so as to be able to instruct the Kohanim.He Established a Kollel and Published Relevant Sefarim
To the Chafetz Chaim these halachos were already relevant, as he was convinced of the imminent arrival of Moshiach. He was therefore distressed that the study of Kodashim was largely being ignored. He felt so strongly about this that in his old age he established a kollel for scholars to study Kodashim. Moreover, he republished several out-of-print sefarim – Asifas Zekeinim, Hagahos HaGra to Toras Kohanim – and also wrote his own books on this topic – Likutei Halachos and Biur Al Toras Kohanim. May we merit the coming of Moshiach and the rebuilding of the Beis Hamikdash as we continue the Daf Yomi study of Seder Kodashim.
