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ופתח אהל מועד תשבו יומם ולילה שבעת ימים ושמרתם את משמרת ד' ולא תמותו

At the entrance of the Ohel Moed shall you dwell day and night for a seven day period, and you shall protect Hashem’s charge so that you will not die. (8:35)

The Chasam Sofer, as cited by U’masuk Ha’or, interprets this pasuk homiletically to teach us a lesson concerning man’s true focus in life. If a person lives his life in such a manner that he “dwells” in front of the Ohel Moed it means that he never forgets the most important principle of existence in this world: life does not go on forever. One day, each and every one of us will return “home,” from whence we came. If this awareness accompanies our every life’s endeavor, then we will merit to “protect Hashem’s charge, so that you (we) will not…

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זאת תורת העולה... על מוקדה על המזבח כל הלילה

This is the law of the elevation-offering… (that stays) on the flame, on the Altar, all night. (6:2)’

There are individuals who serve Hashem, observe Torah and mitzvos, yet their actions are not oleh l’ratzon, received by Hashem in good will. Something is missing in their service to the Almighty. That something is “heart,” passion, enthusiasm. Such a person, even when he finally decides to go the route and serve Hashem with heartfelt passion, does so periodically. It is not one long constant avodas haBorei, service to the Creator. Dispassionate service goes nowhere; it certainly does not rise up to Hashem. The story is told that the Baal Shem Tov, zl, was once asked to speak to a…

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ובער עליה הכהן

And the Kohen shall kindle wood upon it. (6:5)

The Baal HaTurim notes that the word u’bieir is mentioned twice in the Torah. It is mentioned earlier, in Parashas Mishpatim (Shemos 22:4), u’beier b’sdei acheir, “or he grazed in another’s field.” The Torah addresses the owner who allows his animal to graze in someone else’s field. Second, is the above reference to the Kohen who kindles wood on the Mizbayach every morning. Obviously, some connection must exist between the two pesukim. In Sefer Devarim 1:13, Moshe Rabbeinu is instructed to appoint judges to work under him in judging the nation. The pasuk says, Havi lachem anashim… va’asimeim b’rosheichem, “Provide…

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אם על תודה יקריבנו

If he shall offer it for a Thanksgiving-offering. (7:12)

Chazal list four instances in which a person should bring a Korban Todah: when he has traveled overseas; when he has traveled through the desert; when he has been released from prison; when he has been cured of an illness. Rabbeinu Bachya supplements this, saying that all instances of joy – such as simchas chassan v’kallah, wedding – are reason for bringing a Korban Todah. The Korban Todah is comprised of forty loaves, thirty of which are matzoh and ten which are chametz. All this must be eaten in the span of a night and a day. For instance, if…

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קח את אהרן ואת בניו אתו

Take Aharon and his sons with him. (8:2)

Rashi teaches us how Aharon HaKohen was taken/convinced to perform the avodah, service. Mashcheihu bi’devarim, “draw him with words.” We are being taught an important principle. One should not be pulled to do something against his will. Compelling someone to perform a service which he either is not interested in executing or for which he feels completely incompetent will not produce fruits of success. Whatever inhibitions one has concerning a position must be assuaged via a positive manner if his work is to produce positive results. Aharon HaKohen had serious concerns regarding his own suitability to perform the sacrificial service….

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Command Aharon and his sons. (6:2)

Command Aharon and his sons. (6:2)

Rashi quotes Toras Kohanim that comments, “Tzav, the word, ‘command,’ can only be meant to express urging on, miyad u’le’doros, for the immediate moment and for future generations. (Furthermore) The Torah must especially urge in a situation where there is a loss of money.” The Kohanim sustain a financial loss because they are not paid for their service. In order to perform it, they must be readily available, thus precluding any other form of livelihood.  The Torah makes this point within the context of the Olah – Elevation/Burnt Offering, because the loss of income in this case is especially significant….

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ואש המזבח תוקד בו

And the fire of the Altar should be kept aflame on it. (6:2)

The commentators interpret this pasuk homiletically. “And the fire of the Altar shall be kept aflame on it.” One in whom the fire/passion to serve the Almighty burns within him should be careful to see to it that it remains bo, “within him” – not externally, to hurt others. In other words, one should go to great strides to see to it that his religious observance does not impinge on others. An observant Jew should be especially sensitive to the feelings of those around him. They quote the passage in the Talmud Succah 28a, which notes that Yonasan ben Uziel,…

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והרים את הדשן... על המזבח ושמו אצל המזבח

And (he) shall take up the ashes… upon the Altar, and shall put them down at the side of the Altar. (6:3)

There are people who live in the past, resting on the laurels of eras gone by, the achievements of yesterday, the successes that have been long over. One lives in the past when he does not have much of a present to speak of, and even less of a future to which to look forward. This does not mean that one should forget the past. Absolutely not. The past is a critical component in establishing the present and preparing for the future, but one must live in the present. The mitzvah of Terumas HaDeshen which was carried out by the…

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אם על תודה יקריבנו

If he shall offer it for a Thanksgiving-offering. (7:12)

The Midrash teaches that le’asid lavo, in the future End of Days, all korbanos, sacrifices, will be bateil, nullified; all prayers will also be nullified, with the exception of the Korban Todah, Thanksgiving offering. The sound of todah, gratitude, will continue to resonate – even when all others have been halted. We wonder what purpose gratitude will serve in the End of Days: What need will there be for requiring gratitude? There will no longer be any pain or sorrow, hunger or thirst, illness or personal trauma. There will be no questions, no accidents, no issues that need resolving. Everything…

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אם על תודה יקריבנו

If he shall offer it for a Thanksgiving-offering. (7:12)

Life is wonderful. This is especially true when one considers the alternative. In any event, the fact that the Torah has us bringing a Korban Todah, Thanksgiving-offering, upon being saved from serious illness, released from prison, or having survived a dangerous journey indicates that staying alive is a good thing. It is definitely something which we should make the most of. It is, therefore, perplexing that Bais Shammai and Bais Hillel debated one another for two and one-half years concerning the very same issue: Would it have been better not to have been created, or is creation beneficial? Clearly, there…

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