"This is the law of the burnt offering"(Leviticus 6:2) Adar Sheni 19, 5784/March 29, 2024 Parashat Tzav, the second weekly reading of the book of Leviticus deals almost exclusively with a detailed listing of different types of offerings to be performed in the Tabernacle. In fact, much of the book of Leviticus focuses on the offerings, the various tasks of the kohanim both inside the Tabernacle and outside of it, as well as a very in depth presentation of all types of ritual impurities, how they are contracted and how they can be overcome. The reading tends to be dry and hardly relevant to our lives today as offerings and many of the laws of purity became effectively defunct with the destruction of the Holy Temple nearly 2,000 years ago. Added to this sense of remoteness are our modern understanding of worship and what brings us close to HaShem, and most people would not list offerings as a valid form of worship today. In fact, the vast majority of G-d fearing people today become very squeamish even when discussing the possibility of reintroducing animal offerings. Nevertheless the five books of the Torah devote a lot of time to the matter of offerings, as do the Hebrew prophets, and fully one third of the 613 commandments presented in Torah are connected in one way or another to the Holy Temple and the performance of offerings upon the altar. It would seem then that the offerings are a very integral component of our relationship with HaShem and that the offerings are certainly something that, in fact, G-d takes special delight in, as the oft repeated phrase when describing the offerings as "a sweet savor to HaShem" seems to signify. There are two approaches to addressing the distance that we feel today to the practice of performing offerings. We begin by discussing where we, humanity, are at today. We live in a world very remote from the natural world into which man was created and lived for millennia. Modern technology and industrial development has created conditions in which much of mankind today can go from day to day making little or no contact with the created world around them. Days can go by before we look up at the sky or admire the beauty of a flower, and other than a house pet very few of us have ever had the responsibility of tending to and caring for a cow or a sheep. We may wince at the idea of animal slaughter but the vast majority of us purchase and consume cuts of meat carefully placed and sealed in plastic wrap. We seem to have no hesitation about animals being slaughtered in factories far from our eyes, as long, of course, that we are slaughtering the animals for the purpose of feeding our bellies. It's a sterile, painless, nearly effortless indulgence. Once upon a time, of course, it was not like that. The Israelites were shepherds and cowherders whose lives were intimately connected to their livestock. Their flocks and herds represented not only their livelihoods but their very survival. The life of every sheep and goat, of every cow and bull was precious. To make an offering, to present a gift of the choicest lamb of your flock to HaShem was an unparalleled expression of love and trust. When doing so with the intent of expressing gratitude to HaShem for His loving kindness, or as an expression of atonement for a transgression committed, the act of ascending to the Temple Mount and performing your offering in partnership with the kohanim while standing before HaShem must have been intense and powerful. The experience fully expresses the true meaning of the Hebrew word translated as offering: Korban. The word korban is from the Hebrew root word meaning to draw near. Therefore, when we makriv korban, (perform an offering), we are mekarev ourselves, (drawing ourselves closer), to HaShem. We are not bringing our gift to HaShem in order to appease "an angry" G-d, or to be able to ask for anything in return. In fact, every instance in Torah in which an offering is mentioned, the offering is always made to HaShem, the ineffable name of G-d, which is an expression of G-d's loving kindness. We are making offerings to a G-d who loves us and desires that we draw near to Him. This is "the sweet savor" that HaShem derives from our offering. Not, of course the aroma of roasting flesh, but the desire of the person behind the offering to be seen and accounted for by HaShem. Man and beast were all created on the sixth and climactic day of creation. We were all placed on the same earth and instructed to share its bounty, man being blessed with dominion over his fellow living beings. While modern science reduces man's commonality with the animal kingdom and describes man as nothing more than an upright walking beast, cousin to the ape, the Torah sees man's relationship with the animals not merely on the level of a shared biology, but each as expressions of HaShem's perfect creation, each beast, each creature endowed with a purpose and a life force, a spark of the divine. When we bring an offering to the altar we are doing so in collaboration with the animal itself. We are both performing HaShem's will. The offeror, him or herself, is raising up the animal to a higher level and the offeror, him or herself, is likewise lifted upward to HaShem. To bring a living creature, created by HaShem and to take its life in service of HaShem is an act of incredible responsibility. It is the ultimate expression of the responsibility given to man on the day of his creation, to "rule over the fish of the sea and over the fowl of the sky and over all the beasts that tread upon the earth." (Genesis 1:28) To stand before the altar in the innermost courtyard, facing the Temple Sanctuary and propose to offer up one of G-d's creations as an act of love for HaShem is an overwhelmingly humbling acceptance of responsibility toward HaShem and toward His creation. Think about that the next time you bite into a burger. This is the reason why the prophets of old railed against the abuse of the practice of offerings when performed insincerely, as a sort of cheap short cut to come clean or gain favor in HaShem's eyes. When performed without proper intent the offerings were not only invalid but were an abomination. There is nothing casual about making an offering. But don't be mistaken. The same prophets who railed against the hypocritical performance of offerings all envisioned the day when the Temple would be restored and the offerings renewed. Are we, modern man, capable of regaining our sense of awe and appreciation for G-d's creation, in all its shapes and forms, so that we, one day, might stand humbly before HaShem in His Holy Temple and take the life of one of His beloved creatures, releasing the divine sparks deeply embedded within our offering, assuming upon ourselves such awesome responsibility and by doing so attaching ourselves to HaShem's will and be lifted up accordingly? It hasn't happened now for two thousand years, and the experience of performing offerings, as powerful as it once was, has long been forgotten. But as with every other Torah commandment, to begin to understand its meaning, it needs to be experienced. Perhaps re-experiencing the act of making offerings would rekindle within us that ancient awe and appreciation of the sacred gift of life. We, who live in a world dominated by violence and rampant destruction and disregard for life and for He who created life, can hardly hold ourselves up as being more sophisticated or more refined than our ancestors who honored life by bringing life and returning it to HaShem upon the altar. Perhaps, just perhaps, the renewal of Temple offerings would reinstate within man a sense of humility and tolerance for one another, ushering in an era of peace and harmony on earth. A future to ponder. . |
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Tune in to this week's Temple Talk, as Yitzchak Reuven talks all about the statute of the red heifer, about making room in the world for HaShem, and about the importance of simchah - true joy & happiness! This Shabbat as part of our preparation for Passover we read parashat Para - all about the ashes of the red heifer whose purifying power enables us to enter into the inner courtyards of the Holy Temple! The Temple Institute continues its efforts to advance the raising of a red heifer and preparing for the preparation of the purifying ashes! |
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"A continuous fire shall burn upon the altar; it shall not go out." (Deuteronomy 6:6) When the Temple was destroyed what became of the continuous fire? It entered into the souls of the Jewish nation and has been kept burning ever since. The continuous fire is the animating flame that keeps the Jewish people going, generation after generation, no matter the challenges, no matter the obstacles. Tzav (Leviticus 6:1 - 8:36)
Parashat Tzav is read on Shabbat:
Adar Sheni 20, 5784/March 30, 2024 |
Haftarah For Shabbat Parashat Tzav
This Shabbat, known as Shabbat Para, we read the third of four additional Torah readings read during the month of Adar. The haftarah read on Shabbat Para is from Ezekiel 36:16-36: "And the word of HaShem came to me, saying: "Son of man! The house of Israel, as long as they lived on their own land, they defiled it by their way and by their misdeeds, like the uncleanness of a woman in the period of her separation was their way before Me...'' |
The Gate Of The Southern Court: The Gate Of The Firstborn The Gate of the Firstborn was one of the four southern gates of the Court. Through this gate, the firstborn offerings were brought in to the Court. It should be noted that the firstborn offerings were attributed a lower level of sanctity and therefore their slaughter is permitted anywhere in the Court. Therefore, they were brought in on the southern side. |
Half Shekel Reminder! Reminder! The half shekel (machatzit hashekel) was collected throughout Israel every year during the month of Adar and used to fund the public offerings performed throughout the upcoming year, granting everyone an equal portion in the Holy Temple! Since the destruction of the Holy Temple in 70 CE, the custom has been for Jews to make their half shekel offering no later than the day of Purim, which begins this year on Saturday night! |
Rabbi In Charge Of Red Heifer Answers Hamas Not long after the horrific Oct. 7 massacre of Israelis, the spokesman for Hamas announced that the motive behind the attack was the arrival of five red heifers in Israel and the imminent construction of the third Jewish Temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. In a frank interview with Israel365 News, Rabbi Azariah Ariel, the head of the Temple Institute’s Red Heifer Project, refutes that claim, explaining its blatant inaccuracies, and stating the obvious: “Hamas does not need reasons to kill Jews; It only needs excuses.” |
Purim On The Temple Mount! This past Sunday, Purim, saw 100's of Jews on the Temple Mount to celebrate, some of them wearing their Purim costumes! The bag of mishloach manot was given to the Israel police unit guarding the Temple Mount. |
Parashat Para: Ordinance Of The Red Heifer During the month of Adar four different special Torah readings are read on Shabbat. Three of the four are directly related to the upcoming month of Nisan and the holiday of Passover which begins on the 15th of Nisan. These three readings are known as Shkolim, Para and HaChodesh. This coming Shabbat we are reading parashat Para, the first 22 verses from Numbers 19,which describes the ordinance of the red heifer. |
The Gate Of The Southern Court: The Gate Of Water The Gate of Water was the eastern-most gate of the four southern gates of the Court. Through this gate a flask of water from the Shiloach Spring was brought up to the Temple, to be used for the water libation which took place on the mizbeach during the Sukkot holiday. A different opinion claims that the name "Water Gate" is derived from the prophecy which states that in the future, a river will flow from under the Holy of Holies, and the water will flow, through this gate and out of the Temple. (Zechariah 14,8) Above this gate was a ritual bath in which the Kohen Gadol would immerse himself for the first of his immersions on Yom Kippur. |
The Gate Of The Southern Court In the southern section of the Court there were four gates (from west to east): the Upper Gate; the Gate of Kindling (through which the wood for the woodpile was brought in); the Gate of the Firstborn (through which the firstborn offerings were brought); and the Gate of Water, through which a flask of water for the libation performed during the Sukkot holiday was brought. (Source: Midot 1:4). |
Live: Red Heifer Conference In Historic Shiloh! Live feed from the Red Heifer Conference being held today (March 27) in Shiloh, with the participation of the Temple Institute's Rabbi Azarya Ariel, and others. (In Hebrew!) |
Preparing For The Red Heifer! Preparations for obtaining the ashes of the red heifer present many challenges, all of which the Temple Institute is tackling head on, researching and experimenting in order to achieve the halachically correct and most efficient result. One of the great challenges is to find kohanim who have not contracted tamei met - impurity due to contact with a corpse - to draw pure water from the Shiloach (Siloam Pool), in the city of David. This requires a kohen who came into the world via home birth, never had need to enter into a hospital, (where indirect contact with a corpse is inevitable), and, of course, never entered into a cemetery. The Temple Institute has called upon any kohen who fulfills these requirements to contact us. |
Parashat Tzav: Anointing Aharon And His Sons To Serve In The Tabernacle In this week's Torah portion we are told of the consecration of Aharon and his sons, the kohanim who will serve in the desert Tabernacle. Back in parashat Tetzave we were told of the special garments to be fashioned for Aharon who will serve as the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) and also the much simpler garments to be designed for his sons to wear. Now in parashat Tzav we read how Moshe himself dressed his brother Aharon in his priestly garments for the first time, and also his sons, before anointing them each with oil as part of their consecration ceremony. |
Bringing First Fruits On Purim! On Purim, the Hefetz family of Israel dressed up as the Kohen Gadol (High Priest), Levites, and two holiday pilgrims bringing their first-fruit offerings! The family dog, dressed in red is meant to represent first-fruit apples, and not the red heifer! May the day come soon when they will bring their real first-fruits, (and not their dog!) to the rebuilt Holy Temple in Jerusalem! |
Red Heifer Conference! This coming Shabbat parashat Para - the Red Heifer, Deuteronomy 19:1-22, is read in synagogue as preparation for the Passover pilgrimage festival. In the spirit of parashat Para, the following conference is taking place this week: Wednesday, Adar Sheni 17/March 27 in ancient Shiloh. |
This Week: Parashat Tzav - Removal Of The Altar Ashes This week we are reading Tzav, the second parashah of the book of Leviticus, which is describing the work of the kohanim in the Tabernacle/Holy Temple: "And HaShem spoke to Moshe, saying, Command Aharon and his sons, saying, This is the law of the burnt offering: That is the burnt offering which burns on the altar all night until morning, and the fire of the altar shall burn with it..." |
Shushan Purim Sameach! Today, the 15th of Adar (Sheni) is Shushan Purim. Named after the ancient capital city of Persia, it is the day on which Purim is celebrated in Jerusalem. We read in the scroll of Esther that the fighting in Shushan, the stronghold where Haman's genocidal supporters were gathered, lasted one more day than in the other cities of Persia. Therefore the celebration of the victory over Haman in Shushan took place on the 15th of Adar, one day later than in the other cities of Persia. |
IDF Troops Reading Megillat Esther In Gaza! |
One More Day: Get The Job Done!
Breathtaking insight into Megillat Esther and the message of Purim super relevant for today! Thank you to @JeremyGimpel for sharing this! |
Shavua Tov & Purim Sameach From The Temple Mount! Hundreds of Jews are making their prayers and presence felt on the Temple Mount - place of the Holy Temple - today on Purim, just as they did last Thursday on Ta'anit (the fast of) Esther. The Temple Mount is the number one front in the war against Amalek! Shavua Tov & Purim Sameach! |
Build a House for HaShem! "Be strong and have courage! Build a House for HaShem!" In this scene from a film soon to become an integral part of the Temple Institute's Jerusalem based Visitors Center experience, the prophet Samuel charges King David with the task of building the Holy Temple! |
The Glory of this Last House Shall be Greater than the First! "The Glory of this Last House Shall be Greater than the First!" In this scene from a film soon to become an integral part of the Temple Institute's Jerusalem based Visitors Center experience, Zerubavel from the house of David and Kohen Gadol (High Priest) Yehoshua consult with the prophet Haggai who instructs them to waste no time in rebuilding the Holy Temple! |
Red Heifers Arrive In Israel! On Thursday, September 15, 2022, 5 PM, 5 perfect, unblemished red heifers arrived in Israel from the USA. A modest ceremony was held at the unloading bay of the cargo terminal at Ben Gurion airport, where the new arrivals were greeted and speeches were made by the incredible people who have put their hearts and souls and means into making this historic/prophetic day become a reality. |
Biblical Red Heifer Could Bring Million Visitors To Samaria The Ancient Shiloh heritage site will soon host a Red Heifer research center. Hundreds of visitors flocked to Shiloh in Samaria’s Binyamin region on Thursday to welcome a biblically pure red heifer. The 22-month-old cow, which was brought to Israel from the United States, found a new home at the Ancient Shiloh heritage site, where the biblical Tabernacle once stood. |
Blessings from the holy city of Jerusalem!
Yitzchak Reuven
The Temple Institute |
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