There is a halacha in the Mishna Berura(48:1:1) that whenever one says korbanos it is as if they brought that sacrifice.
This is based on a pasuk in this week’s Torah portion of Tzav, “This is the law of the elevation offering, the meal offering, the sin offering, and the guilt offering; and the inauguration offerings, and the feast peace offering” (Vayikra 7:37).
Rabbeinu Bachye writes: “Chazal darshan the words, ‘This is the law of the burnt offering, meal offering, and sin offering and guilt offering etc.’ Whoever gets involved in learning (osek) the portion of the burnt offering it is as if he offered a burnt offering. With the portion of the meal offering it’s as if he offered a meal offering, with the sin-offering it’s as if he offered a sin-offering. What this has to mean is that one should take an introspective analysis of the explanation of the portion and what topic does [the offering] hint to, for by doing so it will open one’s eyes and mind and one will come to understand wonders learned from the laws of sacrifices. In this way one will put in more effort into upholding the Torah and mitzvos, and his sins will be forgiven as if he actually offered a sacrifice. Because you cannot just say that all you have to do is say and pronounce each word of the portion, just the verses themselves without introspection of their meanings. Similarly, they say (Brachos 4b), ‘Whoever says Tehila Lidavid (Ashrei) every day is guaranteed to be one deserving of The World To Come (not just a part of the World To Come but a Ben Olam Haba). The intention being that through introspection into the message of the verses and what they hint to then one will recognize and differentiate pure wonders of the intellect and strengthen one’s heart in belief of Hashem and His service. In this way he will be deserving of life in The World To Come. For this same reason the Rabbis (Taanis 27b) enacted, in the order of our prayers, the teaching of ‘Eizehu Mekoman,‘ to be said every single morning. About this [the Rabbis] said, ‘Hashem said that when they read this I consider it as if they brought [what they read] in front of Me.” (Click here for Hebrew text.)
Rabbeinu Bachye is clearly saying that just reading these passages alone will not do anything. It’s through learning b’iyun –[in-depth analysis of the laws of sacrifices and the reasons behind them] that an impact is made on one’s mind. And the more clarity and understanding one gains by digging into and appreciating the profundity of the sacrificial service and how it can relate to oneself, one can make an impact on the way they conduct their life. If one does so in a positive manner,that is why they will logically deserve life in Olam Haba, The World To Come. The means to this end is sitting and learning about the sacrificial service. Its then as if one has themselves brought the offerings one has learned in detail about; after it makes a positive impression on the person.
However, how can this be done by saying Ashrei 3 times a day in our morning and afternoon prayers, or eizehu mikoman in our morning prayers? We don’t have commentaries on Tehillim or on the mishnayos of zevachim, chapter 5, where it comes from, in front of us on thetable while we are praying! So how can it be so transformative during our prayers?
One of my Rebbeim said years ago that it’s best to go over all the commentary of Shemone esray and vidui on Yom Kippur before Yom Kippur prayers, not while you are davening your shemone esray. This is certainly true here also. One should set aside time to learn on his own the commentaries on Ashrei and Eizehu Mekoman. Yet the Rabbeinu Bachye seems to be saying that even during our davening we can focus in a way which will make an impression on ourselves, to be better people, and to draw closer to Hashem. This is not just by reading the words, especially if you don’t understand what you are reading. Butwhile reading the words one can contemplate about what they are saying, about the wonders and greatness of Hashem, and how He interacts with us, which the words talk about in Ashrei. Every miniscule inspiration and insight which inspires you is transformative and can build your faith, belief, and relationship with Hashem. It doesn’t have to be a major insight, but thinking about it over and over again, three times a day, each time you say Ashrei, can change a person for the better, and that is what earns them Olam Haba. So too, by picturing the korbanos and trying to relive what you are reading about in eizehu mekoman, (if need be by reading in English or any language you understand), it can have a transformative effect. This will inspire a person to improve, and these small differences that Hashem sees you thinking and working on, make it as if you personally brought the sacrifices you read and expound upon.
Even the smallest impact of in-depth understanding makes a large and everlasting impression, especially when done consistently!