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Tzav “Command”
19 MAR 2011
Shabbat Zachor
Leviticus 6:8(1)8:36
Deut.25:17-19
Jeremiah 7:21-8:3, 9:22-23
1 Samuel15:2-34
Hebrews 8:1-6
The Torah portion summary includes commands Aaron and his
sons about:
1. Elevation offering and the altar fire
2. Meal offering
3. Sin offering
4. Guilt offering
5. Thanksgiving offering
6. Instruction about eating in a state of Contamination
7. Consecration of Aaron and his sons the Kohanim
This Parasha is always read before Purim. It is the
second of four special Shabatot readings preceding Passover. The first,
which was two weeks ago, was Shabbat Shekalim. It is read the Sabbath
before the month of Adar and is also known as Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Adar,
when the New Moon and Shabbat coincide. On this Sabbath we had to rid
ourselves of jealously, lust and pride in order to be worthy to be
called “am kodesh,” a holy people (Exodus 19:6, cc. 1 Peter 2:9).
This Shabbat is called Zachor, and is taken from Maftir
in Deuteronomy 25:17-19 in which we are reminded to remember what the
Amalekites did to the Israelites on the journey to the Promised Land,
thus the connection to Purim, where the villain, Haman (Booooooo!!),
determined to destroy the Jewish people (book of Esther).
Next week is called Shabbat Parah, from the Maftir
reading in Numbers 19:1-22 (the Red Heifer). Here, the orders to purify
the people who had become contaminated (impure) are given. Even those
who engage in preparation become contaminated. In the HafTorah, Ezekiel
36:16-38, there is a description of how the house of Israel contaminated
the land by their ways (wrong life style) and how GOD does not honor
lovers of self, those full of jealousy and pride. This portion was
instituted in order for GOD’s people to purify themselves before coming
to Jerusalem for the pilgrimage festival of Passover.
After that is Shabbat HaKodesh. This is read the Sabbath
before the month of Nissan, or if it coincides together, this is to
commemorate the giving of the commandments associated with Rosh Chodesh
Nissan (New Moon). This was considered an historic day for the Jewish
nation.
Finally, the Sabbath before Pesach is Shabbat HaGadol
(the great Sabbath). In Egypt, this was the day when the Jewish people
took the sheep that they would bring as their Pesach offering. The
HafTorah (Malachi 3:4-24) urges GOD’s people to trust in Him. Also
included is the reading to bring all the tithes for the windows of
Heaven to open. Being charitable to GOD’s work and His people are
emphasized.
We have to purge ourselves as we remember what GOD has
done. Trust in Him and have no doubts that this world system can only
bring devastation unto us.
Shavua Tov and Hag Sameach Purim
Rabbi Z
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