Tzav – Page 11 – Peninim on the Torah

The Kohen shall don his fitted linen tunic, and he shall don linen breeches on his flesh. (6:3)

The Kohen was to wear vestments made of “bad” – linen. Linen grows from the ground in individual stalks, similar to human hair. Rabbeinu Bachya explains that the individualistic nature of each grain signifies the concept of achdus, unity. They reflect an inner harmony, a unified essence. As the grandson of Aharon, the Kohen serves as the paradigm of unity. Aharon HaKohen was the “oheiv shalom v’rodef shalom,” one who loved peace and pursued peace.” He reached out to his fellow man to generate inner peace by bringing him closer to Torah. Horav Mordechai Miller, Shlita, notes that the Torah…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tzav, 5759

This is the law of the elevation-offering, the meal-offering, the sin-offering, and the guilt-offering; and the inauguration-offering and the feast peace offering. (7:37)

The Midrash notes that the Korban Shelamim, Peace-offering, comes at the end of the sequence of korbanos. This implies that peace is of supreme significance, for it reconnects man with his Maker, with his fellow-man, and with his own conscience. Horav Eliyahu Munk, zl, explains that peace is neither a simple fact of creation nor a part of natural law. It is not a pacifistic doctrine to which one must adhere even at the expense of sacred principles. Peace is not, as some would suggest, a compromise of values and ideals; rather, it is a sense of harmony in which…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tzav, 5759

Take Aharon and his sons with him…He poured from the oil of anointment upon Aharon’s head…Moshe brought the sons of Aharon forward. (8:1,12,13)

Hashem commanded Moshe to sanctify and induct Aharon and his sons into the Kehunah, Priesthood. Hashem chose Aharon and his four sons – Moshe’s brother and his four nephews – over everyone to serve in the holy Priesthood. We can understand why some people might question the choice of Moshe’s close relatives. Let us understand why Amram and Yocheved merited to have such special children and grandchildren: Moshe, Aharon and Miriam and their offspring who stood at Klal Yisrael’s helm. What was their unique zechus, merit? Why was Aharon selected to be Kohen Gadol and progenitor of the Kehunah? We…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tzav, 5759

Moshe did as Hashem commanded him; and the assembly was gathered. (8:4)

The Kotzker Rebbe, zl, once interpreted this pasuk satirically. We see from here that Moshe first followed Hashem’s command, fulfilling everything that was asked of him. It is only afterwards that the people assembled before him. Regrettably, today we assemble before some of our “spiritual” leaders before they have proven their devotion to Torah and mitzvos. Being a spiritual leader carries with it specific and demanding criteria, the most significant of which is adherence to Torah and mitzvos. Tragically, some of us are not that demanding of our spiritual leaders. Perhaps, we feel that if we limit our expectations of…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tzav, 5759

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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The Kohen shall don his fitted linen tunic, and he shall don linen breeches on his flesh. (6:3)

This is the law of the elevation-offering, the meal-offering, the sin-offering, and the guilt-offering; and the inauguration-offering and the feast peace offering. (7:37)

Take Aharon and his sons with him…He poured from the oil of anointment upon Aharon’s head…Moshe brought the sons of Aharon forward. (8:1,12,13)

Moshe did as Hashem commanded him; and the assembly was gathered. (8:4)

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)

YEARS

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