Tzav – Page 11 – Peninim on the Torah

Moshe took the oil of anointment… he anointed the Altar, and all its utensils, and the laver and its base in order to sanctify them. (8:10.11)

Moshe anointed Aharon and his sons, as he inducted them into the Kehunah. He also anointed all of the holy utensils that were used in the Mishkan. The process of anointing elevated the utensils to a level of sanctity in accordance with their function in the Mishkan. It makes sense that a ladle, that heretofore had been a piece of metal and now would be used to accept the blood of korbanos, would need to be prepared and sanctified for its new station. There seems to be a demand for all vessels to be anointed – even those that did…

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Moshe Marcovich In Tzav, 5758

He shall remove his garments and don other garments, and he shall remove the ash to the outside of the Camp, to a pure place. (6:4)

For practical purposes, the Kohen who cleans the excess ash from the Altar changes his garments. He removes his regular vestments and changes into older, more worn priestly garments. A number of lessons can be derived from this concept. The most notable is that one should appreciate the significance of dressing properly for an occasion. When one greets the king he should prepare himself, donning garments which befit royalty. Hence, when one greets Shabbos, or enters a sancturary, such as a Shul, he should dress in clothes that are appropriate to the sanctity of the place and the holiness of…

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Moshe Marcovich In Tzav, 5758

This is the korban of Aharon and his sons. (6:13)

The Midrash recounts that Rabbi Yosi bar Chalafta was once questioned regarding what Hashem has been doing from the time that He created the world. In this purely rhetorical question, the Midrash seeks to understand the values on which Hashem places greatest emphasis. They respond that Hashem occupies Himself with zivugim, making couples, pairing off people and also material possessions. “This woman to that man, this money/material possession to that man” are the words used by Chazal. Upon consideration, Chazal seem to imply that one’s material success or lack therof is a zivug similar to finding a mate. As in…

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Moshe Marcovich In Tzav, 5758

If he shall offer it for a thanksgiving offering, he shall offer with the feast wafers….and loaves of scalded fine flour mixed with oil. With loaves of leavened bread he shall bring his offering. (7:12, 13)

The Korban Todah was unique in that it consisted of forty loaves, some of which were chometz and some of which were matzoh. This korban, which represents man’s thanksgiving to Hashem, was different than the usual Korban Shelamim, peace-offering. The Korban Shelamim was eaten for two days and one night. In contrast, the Korban Todah was eaten only for one day and one night. The Netziv comments on the quantity of loaves, especially in light of the fact that the amount of time allotted for eating the loaves is less than usual. He says that the individual who has survived…

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Moshe Marcovich In Tzav, 5758

He slaughtered it, and Moshe took the blood…and he purified the Mizbayach….and he sanctified it to provide atonement for it. (8:15)

The Yalkut Shimoni questions the reason for atonement. What had Bnei Yisroel done that would have been considered sinful? Moshe was concerned that perhaps during the collecting for the Mishkan, undue pressure might have been applied upon people, causing them to contribute out of shame. This can be viewed as gezel, theft. Although a gift given under duress, out of embarrassment, is halachically valid, this gift cannot be considered b’ratzon, willful, as emanating from a total nedivus ha’lev, heartfelt contribution. In order for the kedushah, holiness, of the Mishkan to be pervasive, it was essential that it be built in…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tzav, 5757

Command Aharon and his sons, saying: This is the law of the (Korban) Olah, elevation offering. (6:2)

Chazal attribute the use of the more emphatic form of introduction, um, “command”, to the laws of the Korban Olah, to the urgency of the matter. The Torah exhorts the Kohanim to be especially zealous in performing the Olah service, now, as well as in future generations. The reason for this special emphasis is the monetary loss incurred by the Korban Olah. Chazal offer a number of explanations for this monetary loss. The most common explanation is that nothing remains for the Kohanim after the rest of the Olah is burned on the Mizbayach. Although they receive the hide, it…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tzav, 5757

This is the law of the (korban) Chatas, Sin-Offering; in the place where the (korban) Olah, Elevation-Offering is slaughtered shall the Sin-Offering be slaughtered. (6:18)

The Torah teaches us that we are to slaughter the Korban Chatas in the same place as the Korban Olah–in the northern part of the courtyard. In the Yerushalmi Yevamos 5:3, Chazal comment that the purpose of slaughtering the Olah in the same location as the Chatas is to minimize the publicity that might follow the sinner who seeks to repent and offer his contrition. The Korban Olah was not necessarily brought for any sin or wrongdoing, but rather as a gift to Hashem, especially if one had inappropriate thoughts that left him feeling guilty. Since one rarely escapes sinful…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tzav, 5757

Any (korban) Chatas from which some blood has been brought to the Ohel Moed, to effect atonement within the Holy shall not be eaten; it shall be burned in fire. (6:23)

Horav Raphael Katz, zl, the author of the Marpé Lashon, infers a profound lesson in avodas Hashem, service to the Almighty from this pasuk. There are instances during a man’s spiritual growth when, with all good intention, he attempts to “jump the gun” and ascend to a higher spiritual plane for which he is not yet ready. A man must build upon a solid foundation of spiritual development. Otherwise, everything he has done–even his previous accomplishments–will lose its integrity. He proves his thesis from the fact that if a Korban Chatas is offered inside the Heichal, the blood is invalid…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tzav, 5757

This is the law of the (korban) Olah, Elevation-offering, the (korban) Minchah, Meal-offering, the (korban) Chatas, Sin-of fering. (7:37)

In the Talmud Menachos 110, Chazal comment that one who studies Torah does not need to bring a Korban Olah, Minchah, or Asham. The Torah study in itself serves as a vehicle for atonement. The Kotzker Rebbe, zl, once said, “I thought I would have chassidim who would not listen to the enticements of the yetzer hora, evil inclination, not because they would not want to, but rather, because they would be so involved in Torah study they simply would not have the time to listen!” This may be the underlying message of our pasuk. One who studies Torah will…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tzav, 5757

Moshe said to Aharon…Cook the meat at the entrance to the Ohel Moed…As I transmitted the command: Aharon and his sons are to eat it. (8:31)

We may note that Moshe Rabbeinu addresses Aharon in the third person, although he is speaking directly to Aharon. Horav S.R. Hirsch, zl, attributes this discrepancy to the fact that during the seven days of Milluim, Moshe did not function in his usual capacity as transmitter of the law. Rather, he acted as the Kohen Gadol. Moshe appears to Aharon and his sons as the Rabbon Shel Yisrael, the quintessential teacher and transmitter of the law, only in regard to this eating of the Ayil Ha’milluim and its bread. This set the tone for the future, when the Kohen Gadol…

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Moshe took the oil of anointment… he anointed the Altar, and all its utensils, and the laver and its base in order to sanctify them. (8:10.11)

He shall remove his garments and don other garments, and he shall remove the ash to the outside of the Camp, to a pure place. (6:4)

This is the korban of Aharon and his sons. (6:13)

If he shall offer it for a thanksgiving offering, he shall offer with the feast wafers….and loaves of scalded fine flour mixed with oil. With loaves of leavened bread he shall bring his offering. (7:12, 13)

He slaughtered it, and Moshe took the blood…and he purified the Mizbayach….and he sanctified it to provide atonement for it. (8:15)

Command Aharon and his sons, saying: This is the law of the (Korban) Olah, elevation offering. (6:2)

This is the law of the (korban) Chatas, Sin-Offering; in the place where the (korban) Olah, Elevation-Offering is slaughtered shall the Sin-Offering be slaughtered. (6:18)

Any (korban) Chatas from which some blood has been brought to the Ohel Moed, to effect atonement within the Holy shall not be eaten; it shall be burned in fire. (6:23)

This is the law of the (korban) Olah, Elevation-offering, the (korban) Minchah, Meal-offering, the (korban) Chatas, Sin-of fering. (7:37)

Moshe said to Aharon…Cook the meat at the entrance to the Ohel Moed…As I transmitted the command: Aharon and his sons are to eat it. (8:31)

YEARS

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