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ואש המזבח תוקד בו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Tzav, 5773

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

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Tzav, 5773

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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Home -> 5773 -> Tzav

אם על תודה יקריבנו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Tzav, 5773

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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Home -> 5773 -> Tzav

אם על תודה יקריבנו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Tzav, 5773

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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Home -> 5772 -> Tzav

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Tzav, 5772

“The Kohen shall don his fitted linen tunic.” (6:3)

Rashi explains that the vestments the Kohen wears must fit according to his body measurements. They should be neither too long, nor too short. Horav Tzvi Hirsch Ferber, z.l., interprets this idea figuratively. Regrettably, sometimes when a person is accorded great honor and “dressed” in royal finery – lauded, praised and esteemed – the raiments are “too long.” They are greater than he actually is. He is not worthy of all the accolades and honor that the community is showering upon him. The individual who is the paragon of virtue and respectability provides a contrast. A man of sterling character,…

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Home -> 5772 -> Tzav

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Tzav, 5772

“The Kohen shall don his fitted linen tunic…he shall separate the ash…and place it next to the Altar. He shall remove his garments and don other garments, and he shall remove the ash to the outside of the camp.” (6:3-4)

In the Talmud Yoma 23b, Chazal explain that the Kohen’s act of removing his garments was an act of derech eretz, good manners and courtesy. It is not proper for a servant to pour wine for his master while wearing the same garments that he wore when he was cooking the meal. Horav Mordechai Gifter, z.l., derives a powerful message from Chazal’s words. A human king has many servants, each performing a specific function. The cook prepares the food, restricting his area of expertise to the kitchen. In contrast, the king’s waiter is someone whose training, refinement and breeding benefit…

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Home -> 5772 -> Tzav

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Tzav, 5772

“The fire on the Altar shall be kept aflame on it, do not extinguish it.” (6:5)

The literal translation of lo sichbeh is “do not extinguish it.” The Baal Ha’Tanya rendered an alternative interpretation for this phrase. “You must extinguish the lo, the negative, within you.” Negativism is an all-consuming destructive force which paralyzes an individual. How does one overcome a negative self-image? How does one develop self-esteem? It is not the intended goal of this book to serve as a psychological authority, or to offer advice for coping with one’s emotional deficiencies. Yet, culling from some of the popular Torah-oriented authorities will help us to address a problem whose severity has reached epidemic proportions. A…

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Home -> 5772 -> Tzav

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Tzav, 5772

Moshe said to the assembly, “This is the thing that Hashem commanded to be done.” (8:5)

Rashi explains that Moshe Rabbeinu was telling the people that anointing Aharon and preparing him to serve as Kohen Gadol was not his own “idea.” He was following the instruction of the Almighty. Moshe was concerned that the people might suspect that he was acting either on his own behalf or on the behalf of his brother Aharon. He mitigated their concerns. While this may have “calmed” the people, Chazal relate that Moshe was still worried that he might personally benefit from the honor of investing Aharon into the Priesthood. This would constitute me’ilah, unlawfully benefiting from this holy endeavor….

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Home -> 5771 -> Tzav

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Tzav, 5771

Command Aharon and his sons, saying, “This is the law of the Olah/Elevation-offering. It is the Olah [that stays] on the flame.” (6:2)

The Midrash Rabbah makes an intriguing statement: Any nation or people which “elevates”  itself  over  Hashem  or His  nation  will  be judged  with  fire. Chazal are teaching us the terrible punishment in store for the person, or people who arrogate personal eminence – who views himself or themselves as greater than Hashem. While this is addressed primarily to the gentile oppressors who feel that they can take on Hashem and His people, it also serves as a blanket statement decrying the ill effects of arrogance. Let us face it: Whoever acts haughtily is, in effect, against G-d, in Whose eyes…

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Home -> 5771 -> Tzav

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Tzav, 5771

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

In previous exhortations concerning the korbanos, offerings, the mitzvah was introduced either with the word daber, speak, or amarta, say. Why does the Torah use the more emphatic term, tzav, command, regarding the Korban Olah, Elevation/Burnt offering? Chazal explain that the more emphatic term is used here to urge the Kohanim to be especially zealous in performing this service; and to ensure that this enjoinment be repeated and emphasized constantly throughout future generations. Rabbi Shimon adds that this exhortation is especially relevant to those commandments that involve a monetary loss, such as the Korban Olah from which the Kohanim received…

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