Think Pink

“Command Aharon and his sons, saying: This is the law of the Olah [burnt offering]…” (Vayikra 6:2)

Rashi says the word “command” is a language of hastening, with urgency. He quotes Rabi Shimon in saying that the Torah always urges people to hasten when there is a loss to one’s pocket [i.e., a financial loss] involved.

How does the subject of Aharon and his sons hastening to perform the Korban Olah connect with any possible financial loss? (Rabbi Moshe Greebel).

“Close your eyes and think of a pink elephant.”

This was a classic exercise I’d do with my students when we’d discuss the concept of controlling our thoughts. My elephant always appeared as a fuzzy stuffed animal with red button eyes and a goofy grin.

“Okay, now close your eyes again and don’t think of a pink elephant.”

Invariably, this part of the experiment was doomed to failure. My pink pachyderm stayed stubbornly in my consciousness, as was the case with most of my students.