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TZAV
Leviticus
6:1-8:36
Jeremiah
7:21-8:3; 9:22-23
Heb.8:1-6
This portion in V'yekra, Leviticus chapters 6
and 7, forms a manual or "how-to" directive regarding priestly
sacrifices. Fire for the daily burnt offering or continual
sacrifice was to be brought every morning and evening in the name of the
community. This offering is called the Tamid, or perpetual,
everlasting, and eternal offering.
In later times, this burnt offering was
regarded as an "atoning sacrifice" for the community. Biblical scholars
and commentators say that rather than allow a few wealthy donors to make
contributions for this offering; the Pharisees insisted that the entire
community, the whole Jewish people, must take part in deferring its cost.
The Pharisees also arranged for the spiritual participation of the entire
nation in the actual offering of daily sacrifices. They divided all the
people in Israel into 24 "watches" of priests and Levites. Each "watch"
would take its turn to present itself for Temple service for one week.
With each priestly "watch" there was also a corresponding delegation of
Israelites, part of the community, which stood by the priests reciting
prayers during the sacrificial process. The remainder of the delegation
would gather in local synagogues and read portions of the Torah relating
to the sacrifice. Because of this corporate participation, the idea that
public and perpetual offerings would be looked upon as automatic, or taken
for granted to secure atonement, was avoided. These "watches," offerings,
and corporate prayers were serious spiritual happenings.
We need to be participants in our congregation, giving as
well as receiving. If we only receive all the time, we do not perform the
duty of actively supporting the Elders and Rabbi. We must physically and
prayerfully support our people and our leaders; otherwise we take for
granted what takes place behind the scenes here-the actual "workings" of
the Temple. We are ALL a part of the body. 1 Corinthians 12, and Romans
12:4-8 speak of one body with many parts.
Further in V'yekra we are given directions
concerning the meal offering. The priests were to eat it; they could not
dispose of it in any other way. It also had to be made without leaven.
This meal offering was declared to be most holy and only the descendants
of Aaron could eat of it. It served as a sin offering and
guilt-offering. Just as ritual impurity is infectious, so ritual
holiness can be conveyed from one person to another. We are reminded that
our bodies are the Temple of the Ruach Ha Kodesh. We have become a holy
vessel when we, by faith, are made righteous and are justified by the
grace and the redemptive work of our Messiah, Yeshua. We were made holy,
just like Aaron and his descendants who ate the holy meal offering. Keep
yourself away from those things that are unclean. Be careful of what you
eat, look at, and listen to. Live a holy and righteous lifestyle.
The peace offering mentioned in this portion
falls into three divisions. First, thanksgiving offerings for deliverance
from sickness or danger, next, offerings made in fulfillment of a vow or
made in a time of distress, and third, free-will offerings made when the
heart is moved at the remembrance of G-d's mercies. The Book of Psalms is
full of peace offerings! Our daily lives should be filled with peace
offerings. Remember to thank HaShem (G-d) for his mercies and loving
kindness. As Rav Shaul, Paul, wrote in 1 Thessalonians, be joyful always,
pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances, for this is G-d's
will for all of us.
Finally, in the continuation of the Torah
portion for this week, Aaron and his sons are consecrated into G-d's
service. The blood of the Lamb and the anointing of the Ruach Ha Kodesh,
also, have consecrated us, into G-d. Therefore, brethren, be ye holy, for
the L-rd our G-d is holy.
Shavua Tov
Rabbi Z.
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