Parsha #25 Tzav (Give an Order) Vayikra (Leviticus) 6: 1 (8) – 8:36
Haftarah: Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 7:21-8:3; 9:22-23
B’rit Hadashah: 1 Corinthians 10: 14-23; Mark 12:28-34; Romans 12:1-2
Parasha:
This week we see YHVH elaborates on the sacrifices from the previous Parsha. However, there is a new sacrifice mentioned. It is the Thanksgiving Offering, which is a type of Peace Offering. It is a voluntary offering and has two special features. Forty loaves are brought with it and must be eaten on the same day.
This is unusual, as the time allotted for eating al the other Peace Offerings is two days. Only compulsory sacrifices are eaten in one day. That begs the question, is this voluntary or a compulsory offering? To understand the nature of the offering we need to consult King David’s Psalm of Thanksgiving (Psalm 116). David is praising YHVH for saving him. The final stage is a Thanksgiving Offering that is performed publicly as the Psalm attests: “I will pay YHVH my vows in front of the whole nation.”
In this public feast an individual thanks YHVH and tells all those present of the miracle that happened to him.
Perhaps we can now understand why this voluntary offering has a hint of the compulsory offering added to it. The whole purpose of this offering is to proclaim YHVH’s greatness and providence. That is why this offering has 40 loaves to force an individual to find at least 40 persons to eat it with him in the mandatory one day. At the feast he gets the opportunity to tell his story, which encourages people in their belief. The whole community is united in praise of YHVH.
In this way the offering serves a double purpose. To let everyone know that YHVH watches over us and to unite the community in belief and praise of YHVH Elohim.
Halftarah Connection: (Yirmeyahu 7:21-8:3; 9 22, 23)
Our Parsha deals with some of the sacrifices B’nai Yisrael must bring to YHVH. In the Halftarah Jeremiah lists all of B’nai Yisrael’s sins during the Temple period. One of the sins mentioned is that instead of sacrificing animals in the Temple, B’nai Yisrael built altars to sacrifice their own children to the heathen gods. The Prophet tells then that YHVH wants them to do kind and just deeds instead of sinning and bringing sacrifices. A sacrifice loses it efficacy when an individual heart is not repentant and obedient toward YHVH.
Think About it:
1. Why must an earthenware vessel in which something holy has been cooked be broken, while a metal vessel only needs cleaning?
2. What reason could there be for Moshe to place some of the blood of the ordination sacrifice on the Aaron’s right ear, his thumb of his right hand, and the big toe of his right foot?
3. Why does Aaron bring a Sin Offering before he is inaugurated (ordained S’mikah))
Wisdom of the Sages:
“Command Aaron…” (6:2)
Rashi says that when the word “command” is used the commandment must be done quickly, why? In Tractate Kidushin we learn: “He who is commanded and fulfills the commandment is greater that he who isn’t commanded and fulfills the commandment.” The reason for this is that when we are commanded to do something, our evil inclination gives us many good reasons why we shouldn’t. If we aren’t commanded to do it, then our evil inclination leaves us alone.
“His soul will be cut off (karet) from his people.” (7:20)
What does “cut off” mean? Some commentaries say that the person who commits a sin, which is punishable by karet, will live to see his children die. Others believe that YHVH will shorten the sinner’s life, and that he will die by the age of 50. Yet others, like the Ramban, believe that there are different levels of karet, which include the loss of a person’s share in the Next World.
“Gather everyone to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting.” (8:3)
There must have been several million people gathered at the entrance of the Ohel Moed. How could so many people fit into such a small place? The Sages teach that since the nation was united, a miracle occurred, and everyone felt he had enough space. This teaches us that when the nation is united, there is enough room for everyone.
Gematria:
V’tikahel Ha’ayda, “and the community gathered” (8:4)
When Moshe inaugurated the Kohanim (Priests) he was told to gather the community. What makes up the community? The word Va’tikahel, “and they gathered” has the numeric value of 541. The word “Yisrael” has the same value. The entire nation of B’nai Yisrael was gathered before YHVH because the whole nation has to see the sanctification (set-apartness). This was to ensure that the Kohanim’s legitimacy would never be doubted.
Shalom and Brachas,
Rabbi Davis