Weekly Shabbat Parsha Thoughts – Tsav – 3.26.2010

This week there is discussion of sacrifices and rituals. Sacrifices for sins and for certain situations that require recognition of divine intervention in everyday situations are all discussed.

These rituals create links between the spiritual requirements, real world actions and real world expectations. It is very important in Judaism to know that we have actions in the real world that are core to our code and that the powers to perform these acts are in our control. These rituals underscore that there is something bigger out there directing our actions and events and gives us the tools to recognize that in our daily lives.

These sacrifices are the foundation of the prayers and blessings we say to this day and create a way to thank god in a spiritual way for an everyday occurrence. We must never forget that the divine must be expressed in everyday occurrences but conversely everyday occurrences are also and expression of the divine. When our parsha makes us have rituals relating to everyday realities it is reminding us of the connection.

We are heading into Passover which is heavy in everyday ritual. It is a special chance to think with every bite about our history and covenant. It is a wonderful expression of divine belief in everyday action. Our offering to ourselves, our family and to HaShem should be to take a moment this week and this holiday to remember how our life has a holy connection to our everyday actions and appreciate that a little more with our family and celebration this upcoming week.

Shabbat Shalom

Summary of The Weekly Torah Reading:
1st Aliya: Additional instructions regarding the Olah - ascent offering, and the Mincha - meal offering are detailed.

2nd Aliya: The special meal offering of the Kohain Gadol and the special inaugural meal offering of the regular Kohain is described. This was the same offering in both cases; however, the Kohain Gadol brought his offering every day while the regular Kohain did so only on the day of his inauguration into the service of the Bais Hamikdash. Additional laws of the sin offering, and the guilt offering are detailed.

3rd Aliya: Additional laws of the peace offering are detailed along with those portions of the offering that must be shared with the Kohain.

4th, 5th, 6th, & 7th Aliyot: The remainder of the Parsha describes the first seven days of the inaugural process for Aharon and his four sons. Moshe functioned as the Kohain Gadol to officiate over the inaugural process, and Aharon and his sons were forbidden to leave the Mishkan the entire time.