Tzav (Leviticus 6:1-8:36)
OVERVIEW
In Parshat Tzav the various types of korbanot - sacrificial offerings - that were discussed in the previous portion, are visited again. However this time Moses is speaking specifically to Aaron and his sons, the Cohanim or Priests, while last time Moses was addressing the entire people. Since he is now talking to the "professionals," the information has more detail and is geared more specifically to the responsibilities of Priestly service. These details discussed include the taking of the ashes from the alter out of the camp, what the priests are to wear, rules for who may eat the priestly portion of the sacrificial offerings and how it is to be eaten, and the importance of keeping the fire going on the altar. The parshah ends with a description of the consecration of the Tabernacle and the ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests. The Mishkan is now open for business.
IN FOCUS
The fire upon the altar shall be kept burning, not to go out.... (Leviticus 6:5)
PSHAT
In this passage, the Cohanim are being instructed in the details of the offering of the Olah sacrifice. This is the only sacrificial offering that is burnt up entirely on the alter. With all the other offerings, it is mostly just the fatty tissue and blood that is placed in the alter. The rest is consumed by the Priests and the one who brings the offering. As my Rabbi, Gunther Plaut, notes in his UAHC Torah Commentary, "The sacrifices were all performed during daylight hours. The altar portions of the shelamim, chatat, and asham, consisting chiefly of fat, burned rapidly. It would take longer to consume the entire fleshy carcass of the olah, so these portions were left on the alter to burn through the night." Thus, the priests are reminded to regularly tend the fire on the altar and not allow it to go out.
DRASH
In Jewish sources, a connection is frequently drawn between the altar in the Temple, and the altar we build within ourselves. Within the soul of every Jew, our tradition teaches us, there is a spark of holiness. The midrash identifies this as the meaning of the passage in Proverbs which states, "The candle of God is the human soul" (20:27). Just like the fire on the alter in the Tabernacle, the fire within us is never to be extinguished. But sometimes it may linger only as a small spark. All we must do then, in order to bring the spark to full blaze, is to feed the fire with inspirational study and acts of goodness every day.
This idea is exemplified in a story taught by the famous preacher and storyteller, the Dubno Maggid. The Maggid (preacher or storyteller) once came to a large town to speak to the Jewish community. After the talk a cynic, who was totally unaffected by the Maggid’s words, approached the famed preacher. "The sages tell us," began the sceptic, "that words spoken from the heart, penetrate the heart." He continued, "Rabbi, I assume that you spoke from your heart. Your words, however, have had no impact on me whatsoever! How can that be? Why didn't your words penetrate my heart?"
The Rabbi smiled. In his usual fashion, he responded with a parable. "A simpleton once went by the workplace of a blacksmith, who was holding a large bellows. After a few squeezes, the flames of the smith's fire blew into a raging inferno. The man, who always found it difficult to start a simple fire in his own fireplace, marvelled at the contraption. He immediately went and purchased this amazing invention. Entering his home, he proudly announced, "I have discovered how to make a raging fire with the simple squeeze of a lever!"
He set a few logs in the cold fireplace and began to push the two ends of the bellows together. Nothing happened. The logs lay cold and lifeless. Enraged, the man returned to the blacksmith and complained about the faulty implement. "I want a refund!" he shouted. "This blower doesn't work!"
"You fool," laughed the experienced blacksmith. "You were blowing on cold logs! You must start a small fire on your own! If you don't start with a spark, a fire will never erupt!"
The Maggid turned toward the cynic and shook his head sadly. "If there is no spark, the largest bellows will not make a fire."
It is not enough to have a fire burning on the altar, our text suggests. There must also be a perpetual fire of spirit within us when we approach our God. In Chassidic thought there is a concept known as hitlahavut - literally "being aflame" or "fiery enthusiasm." Martin Buber wrote that hitlahavut "is the goblet of grace and the eternal key." Fire is a gift of God, which can enhance life, but also destroy. When maintained properly, fire is a blessing, bringing warmth to our bodies and bringing light to our souls.
DAVAR AHER
This is the law of the burnt-offering... (Leviticus 6:2)
This means that one's soul is uplifted by Torah learning [an interpretation derived from the word here used for "law" - Torah, and the noun meaning a burnt-offering - olah, which means "to go up"]. (Tz'enah Ur'enah)
