Leviticus 6:1-8:36 – Jeremiah 7:21-8:3; 9:22-23 – Luke 12:13-34

This week's edition of The Set Table contains:

Questions and Commentary on Tzav
Chayyei Yeshua - A Devotional Commentary on the Besora Reading
In Summary
Looking Ahead

Questions & Commentary on Parashat Tzav

1.  What is the Tzav - order that God is calling us to at this time? What is the connection between the sin offering and dishes for Passover?

Seth Ben Haim

Tzav - In modern Hebrew this word is used for orders or commands, mostly military orders. Anyone who has spent some time in a military framework knows that when orders are given there is an expectation that they will be obeyed with accuracy and speed. Moses is told to give this command to Aaron, that they should care of the sacrifices and offerings on the altar both day and night. The fire on the altar was not to go out.

They were commanded each morning to be zealous with their duties. The Priests were to take from the ashes on the altar and place some of them beside the altar. Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch suggests that this is a national declaration, that in the same way that God was served on the altar yesterday so he would be served today. They were to keep alert and take great care of their duties. Such is the role of the soldier as well, he must be resolute and diligent, careful not to let down his armor so the enemy will not have victory on his shift.

Rashi says that Tzav connotes Ziruz (to hurry up) - Aaron and his descendants must serve the Almighty without delay. This message is especially important for those of us living farther in space and time from Mt. Sinai. When one is first commissioned for a task it is easier to be zealous, but as time goes by we can easily grow weary or bored and let down our guard.   

We are warned in the haftara in Jeremiah 7:22 that we must be careful to do the mitzvot of God with all our hearts, not just making the motions. He says velo tzivitim (I did not command them) concerning the burnt offerings and sacrifices. How can God contradict his clear description of the commandments for burnt offerings and sacrifices, in this and last week's parashiyot? The root for qorban (offering) comes from qarev - to draw near. He desires that we draw near, and yet if we do not offer ourselves with kavvana (dedicated intent) then our keva (fixed obedience) is lacking, and we will be rebuked.

One of the practical lessons in diligence and wholehearted serving of God is given to us in the laws concerning the sacrifices and relates to the upcoming Festival of Pesach.  Most often in preparation for Pesach we switch our dishes out for special sets, that we use specifically for Pesach. The Torah command basis for the special Pesach dishes is from Leviticus 6:21 (holiness) and 11:22 (unclean). Concerning the holiness of the chetat (Sin Offering), this gives a basic lesson in kashering of dishes. The general rule is that if a vessel can absorb taste particles of a non-kosher or holy food, a meat or dairy dish, or leaven, the vessel assumes the status of the food it absorbed. The difference noted here is between earthen (ceramic) dishes that are considered porous and absorbing flavor, they can not be kashered and must be replaced. Metal pots and pans on the other hand do not absorb taste and they are boiled and washed. In Jerusalem at Passover time many people are out on street corners boiling their pots and pans. We also find great sales on new sets of dishes in all the supermarkets.

Aaron and his sons are consecrated or filled, they are prepared for the kavvana and keva of their priesthood. They are not to leave the Tabernacle for 7 days until the time of "The fullness of the days of your filling, for six days he will fill your hands."

How awesome the Almighty fills Aaron and his son's with the Torah of the sacrifice. We are given a similar picture in the beginning of Maasei HaShluchim, when the early Talmidim of our Messiah awaited outpouring of Ruach Haqqodesh, which would allow them to function in a priestly role.

In the flavor of Purim celebrated this week, we see the motif of filling or preparation, in the life of Esther. She is prepared for a special priestly role to go in before the King and intercede for the lives of the people. God is in the process today, of commissioning many more officers that will serve him at this great hour of teshuva (Repentance) and geula (Redemption) for the Jewish people. He is issuing tzavim (military commands) giving us a map of the things that each of us are to accomplish. Will we do it with zeal and speed like Aaron and his son's, or will he bring geula from another place!

2. What is the purpose for all the explicit detail of the offerings, and how does it relate to us today?

Joshua Brumbach

Parashat Tzav is the second portion in the book of Leviticus. The focus of Leviticus is on the ritual details carried out by the kohanim, the priests, on a daily basis. The first two chapters of Tzav continue discussing the offerings mentioned in the previous Torah portion. However, the difference is that previously the Torah addressed itself primarily to the entirety of the Jewish people, whereas this week's portion is directed specifically to Aaron and his sons. This week's portion goes into greater depth and detail dealing with the specifics of how the kohanim are to carry out the offerings.

The question easily arises as to why the importance of so much detail, especially today when we currently do not offer sacrifices and offerings? The answer actually lies in the details. Within these chapters one encounters many times to the use of the word torah, or variances of the word in Hebrew. The word torah derives from the Hebrew verb yarah, which means "to cast, or to shoot" - like an arrow intended for a specific target. The form of the word torah specifically denotes "to aim or direct towards" - hence, the meaning "to instruct, or show the way." The content of the Torah is meant to instruct us in the details of life, how to walk in the path God intends for us, and how to establish the presence of God in our midst.

So why all the detail? Because God cares about the details and the small hidden things. When we hear from God, or sense God's presence it is usually subtle - the sort of "still, small voice."  We have to focus spiritually in order to hear God. It is the same purpose with the theme of Purim. The Name of God appears nowhere in the book of Esther. How can that be? How can a book that seems so full of God's deliverance and mercy not contain one single mention of God? Because it is in the subtleness of the story - in the details - where God is found. God is constantly working behind the scenes in every detail for the good of His people. 

This week is Purim, and this Shabbat is Shushan Purim, a continuance of the Purim holiday for those who live in walled cities - like Jerusalem or Susa (Shushan) in Iran. Our Torah portion, Tzav, and the theme of the book of Esther are related. They both teach us that details are important because it is behind the scenes, in the details where God is found. Each of us is part of a Holy Nation and a Holy Priesthood - we are mamlekhet kohanim - a kingdom of priests, and as such, should be concerned with making God known in every detail of our lives, and revealing God to the world around us. "For you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9).