III-2 Tzav Keep the Fire going
Vayikra, Leviticus, Books of Moses, Oleh Offering, Sin Offering, Thank Offering, Offerings, Sacrifices, Temple worship, Kohen, Kohenim, priestly service, temple worship, sactrificial cult, ordination of Aaron, Aaron and sons, installation of priests, Moshe, Moses, torah
III-2 Tzav Commandments 25 March 2005
Torah: Lv 6-8:36 JPS transl http://learn.jtsa.edu/topics/parashah/jp...
Haftorah: Jer 7:21-8:3, 9:22-23 / Ez 36:16-38 JPS transl http://learn.jtsa.edu/topics/parashah/jp...
Aliyot:
1. Lv 6:1-11
2. Lv 6:12-7:10
3. Lv 7:11-38
4. Lv 8:1-13
5. Lv 8:14-21
6. Lv 8:22-29
7. Lv 8:30-36
OVERVIEW: &&&&&&&&&&&
In Vayikra, Moses addresses the general public regarding sacrifices: what and how sacrifices should be made, but in Tzav, the audience is restricted to the priests, regarding the particularities of sacrifice. Moreover, the instruction of sacrifice seems countered by the prophets whon rail against empty ritual. Tzav frequently falls on Shabbat HaGadol, the last shabbat before Pesach when the haftorah is read from Malachi regarding God's enduring love for Israel and the warning of final judgment and messianic age heralded by the return of Elijah. Tzav reiterates the importance of maintaining the perpetual fire on the altar which is interpreted as man's need of sustaining a passion for God's commandments and maintaining faith in God. Instructions on clearing the ashes from the altar and the institution of Aaron and his sons for the priesthood fall within the parasha.
IN FOCUS: %%%%%%%%%%%
"A perpetual fire shall be kept burning on the altar, not to go out" (Lv 6:6).
"All meal offerings brought before Hashem shuld not be prepared leavened for you shall not cause to go up in smoke from any lavening or any honey as a fire." III-1 Vayikra, Lv 2:11
"You must not bring an abhorrent thing into your home..." Dt 7:26
"Every haughty person is an abomination to the Lord." Prv 16:5
"Hear, O Israel! the Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shlal love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Take to heart these instructions with which I charge you this day. Impress them upon your children. Recite them when you stay at home and when you are away, when you lie down nd when you get up. Bind them as a sign upon your hand and let them serve as a symbol on your forehead, inscribe them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." V-2 Voeshenan Dt 6:4-9
KEEP THE FIRE GOING &&&&&&&&
Fire can be productive or destructive. A fire warms the chilled room, renewing the use of numbed fingers. Fire glows in the fireplace after a brisk day outside in subzero weather. We sit by the pot-bellied stove, thinking how lovely the warmth is, but warn the children about falling against it. We know equally well that fire is dangerous, able to consume our lives and houses, leaving scars for life.
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