Weekly Reading Insights: Tzav 5767

FROM THE MASTERS OF KABBALA (K:2567/Tzav)

From the holy Zohar, teachings of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai (Z:2567/Tzav)

This week's Torah portion starts with the commandment to bring an Elevation offering. This offering atones for sinful thoughts and is considered the most choice of all the offerings. The name of the Elevation offering implies ascent, and is thus connected to both the idea of thought which rises up and the most choice because the tikun of the intellectual faculties is so important.

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From the holy Ari, Rabbi Yitzchak Luria of Safed
(A:2567/Tzav)

In other words, up there in the super-conscious parts of the soul, the emotions are superior to and more "real" than the intellect. It is only in our conscious lives that the intellect is superior to the emotions, because in the process of becoming conscious, the emotions suffer a fall in that they become tainted by the ego. But "up there", in our purer selves, our emotions are more the "real thing" than our intellect.

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From Rabbeinu Bachya (S:2567/Tzav)

[In the Zohar,] Rabbi Abba said that since Moses was firmly rooted in the holy place whence all his power stemmed, he was able to transfer this sanctity to Aaron. This is why the Torah wrote earlier, "He poured from the oil of anointment on Aaron's head, and he anointed him and sanctified him." (Lev. 30:12)

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from the Chabad Master series, produced by Rabbi Yosef Marcus for

www.ascentofsafed.com and www.kabbalaonline.org

MOSHIACH THIS WEEK (M:2567/Tzav)

Nissan

The month of Nissan has a special relationship to the Redemption, as our Sages tell us (Midrash Rabbah Shemot 15:11): "When G-d chose His world He established within it new moons and years; and when He chose Jacob and his sons, He established in it a new moon of redemption, for in [this month, Nissan] the Jewish people were redeemed from Egypt, and in this month they will be redeemed in the future, as the verse says (Michah 15:7): 'As in the days of your going out of Egypt I will show you wonders'

From L'Chaim #813

An essay from Rabbi Shaul Yosef Leiter, director of Ascent

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(W:2567/Tzav)

The Talmud tells us that our daily liturgy was established corresponding to the daily Temple offerings. One who reads the sections in the prayerbook about the offerings is given credit as though he brought the offerings himself. Contained in these selected verses and parts of the Mishnah is a verse from our weekly Torah reading, "The continuous flame on the alter should not go out" (Lev. 6:6).

What was the process? The priests in the Temple would bring a small flame to the Altar, which in turn would draw down an enormous divine flame from Heaven, and consume the offering. This supernal flame would only descend when the Temple flame was properly lit. While the supernal flame was divine and therefore boundless, the Temple flame was brought by human beings who are limited in action, and thus the fruits of their labor are also limited. Interestingly enough, though, we see that it is specifically the "limited" human efforts, that are the preparation to allow the supernal flame to descend! The only condition is that our flame be properly lit. The lesson from this is that when we do what is required of us, the Almighty adds His portion - supernal, unlimited strengths - until a person's efforts become a "constant and eternal flame".

Furthermore, every Jew is like a miniature Temple. What is our specific connection to this flame? A flame represents enthusiasm and warmth. When we bring this fervor to our observance of the commandments, this is like the priest lighting the flame in the Temple. This flame in turn initiates the descent of the divine flame.

What does this mean practically? The practice of Judaism can be divided into three categories: Torah, Prayer and Acts of Kindness. Studying Torah should not just be an isolated event with no connection to our lives; it should permeate and enliven us. Similarly, prayer is not supposed to be something done out of habit; rather, each word is supposed to be talking to G-d. Similarly, every act of kindness should done with enthusiasm, fulfilling the divine command in the best possible way, not just to unload an obligation. When we fulfill the Torah and its commandments with enthusiasm, then the "flame" that is being brought by the "priest" in our own personal Temple is complete. It is then that we merit the divine, supernal flame descending upon us from Above. Through this supernal flame that a person merits to see unlimited divine blessing in all of his efforts.

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The name of the current Hebrew month, Nissan, comes from the Hebrew word "nes", meaning "miracle", because of all the miracles the Almighty did with the Jewish people to redeem them from the slavery in Egypt. Nissan is known as "the Month of Redemption", because its main event is Pesach. The Rebbe explains that redemption is especially emphasized this Shabbat, called "Shabbat Hagadol" - literally "the Big Shabbat" - because it corresponds to the Shabbat before the Exodus, when G-d caused a great miracle to happen. As commanded, the Israelites prepared the Pascal lamb on the 10th of Nissan, which fell on a Shabbat, as it does this year. When questioned by the Egyptians, the Jews explained that these lambs would be sacrificed on the 14th of Nissan (the eve of Passover), and that night G-d would slay all the firstborn of Egypt. The firstborn Egyptians then went to their parents and Pharaoh, begging that Israel be released. When this request was denied, the firstborn rose in armed revolt. The result was a big miracle, Egyptians killing Egyptians, setting the stage for the redemption. Still, what is the big deal? G-d did many miracles for the Jewish people! Why call this a big miracle? The answer is that in all the other miracles, our enemies were killed by G-d, but in this case, it was our enemies who killed our enemies.

Note the order of events leading up to the seder:
The search for chometz is Tuesday evening immediately after the evening prayers. It is not only a physical search, but a spiritual one as well - we must check ourselves for pride - spiritual leaven, the great separator between man and G-d. (If you have not yet done so, Tuesday evening is the last easily available time to sell your chometz to your local rabbi.) Wednesday morning we burn the chometz we found, spiritually destroying any remaining barriers between ourselves and the Divine. We stop eating chometz by midmorning (check with your local rabbi or Jewish newspaper for the correct times), and sometime in the afternoon, we read about the bringing of the Pascal lamb. We say the evening holiday prayers with much joy and add the Hallel prayers to the regular service. We start the seder as early as possible to allow our children the maximum chance to participate.

Chag Sameach, Shaul

P.S. Please also read my weekly Shabbat Law, below.

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