When people hear that the Torah portion Vayikra is about korbanot, animal sacrifices, many assume it must be one of the hardest parts of Torah to relate to modern life.
After all, what could ancient sacrificial rituals possibly teach us about being grandparents today?
But when we look a little closer, something remarkable emerges.
The Hebrew word korban does not actually mean sacrifice in the sense of loss. It comes from the root karov, meaning to come close.
The entire system of korbanot was designed around one central goal: creating closeness.
And the Torah shows us exactly how that closeness is built. Not through grand gestures, but through three quiet, powerful practices.
First, attention to detail.
The korbanot were incredibly detailed. Nothing was random or casual. In relationships, closeness also grows through noticing the details: what a grandchild loves to eat, the game they always want to play, the story they ask you to tell again and again.
Second, intention.
A korban was not meant to be mechanical. It required presence and focus. The same is true with grandchildren. It is not just about spending time together, but about being fully present in that time.
And third, consistency.
Korbanot were not once-a-year events. They happened regularly. In family relationships, it is often not the big vacation or special outing that builds connection. It is the steady rhythm of phone calls, visits, shared rituals, and moments together.
Closeness is rarely created by one big moment.
It is built through many small offerings of attention, intention, and consistency.
Three small steps to closeness this week:
- Notice one detail. Pay attention to something specific about your grandchild this week. What excites them right now? What are they curious about? Let that detail guide your next conversation or activity together.
- Create one intentional moment. The next time you speak or spend time together, pause distractions and give them your full attention, even if only for a few minutes.
- Strenthen one element of connection. Choose one consistent way to stay connected. A weekly call, a Friday blessing, a shared joke, or a recurring activity that becomes your tradition together.
Bringing someone close is not easy, but in implimenting these elements of the Torah's description of korbanot, you can enjoy a closer relationship with loved ones.
Wishing you a week of closeness,
Rabbanit Sharona Hassan
Founder of Grand Plan
P.S. Hopefully you have now heard about Becoming the Grandparent You Want to Be. This six-week small-group experience will explore Torah wisdom, reflect on our own journeys, and build a practical plan for living our legacy with intention.
We’ll learn from the models of our forefathers and foremothers, talk honestly about the joys and challenges of modern grandparenting, and leave with a clear vision for the role we want to play in our families.
Some people enjoy taking this journey with a friend. If you register for the workshop series together with a friend, another grandparent
(or grandparent to be), you will each receive a small “learning together” discount. Sometimes the conversations that happen between sessions are just as meaningful as the sessions themselves.
You can learn more and register here.
https://grandplan.kit.com/profile/workshop
I would love to have you in this group.
P.P.S. If you would like to explore the ideas of Vayikra more deeply, I invite you to listen to this week’s episode of Connecting Jewish Grandparents: The Grand Plan Podcast, where we look putting these elements of ancient korbanot into modern life.
Spotify: bit.ly/JewishPodcast
Apple: bit.ly/JewishGrandApple
