Parashat Tzav
Leviticus 6:1 - 8:36
And the journey continues. The Israelites are still wondering in the desert under the leadership of Moshe. God is still making promises and figuring out the best way to approach this new reality of ONE GOD, ONE PEOPLE. Last week, we began reading a new Book, Leviticus, in Hebrew, Va'Yikra ("and He called out to..."). The entire Book is about sacrifices. Va'Yikra outlines all of the specifics around every different kind of sacrifice, describes who is responsible for each of the tasks and what portion of the various sacrifices can be eaten, when and by whom. It is all quite tedious and redundant. Usually, when someone becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah finds out their Torah portion is in this Book, she/he usually responds with a sound that does not reflect joy, like "Ugh!", "Ich." "Whaaaaat?" This is because it is difficult to think of something to write, especially something relevant to modern day.
However, this is the surface level reaction. Once the unpacking begins and the digging goes beyond the literal meaning, beautiful things happen. Gems are discovered which can lead to an entirely new understanding. Va'Yikra is all about closeness. The entire Book is about God getting closer to the People, the people getting closer to God and to one another. The tasks associated with the sacrifices are simply the vehicle to offer gratitude, praise and remorse. The People cannot offer them individually and the myriad of instructions provide opportunity for people to share time and space - exactly what is needed in order to get close.
In this specific parasha, God is instructing Moshe to instruct the people on how to offer the "Burnt Offering":
"And the kohen shall don his linen tunic, and he shall don his linen trousers on his flesh. And he shall lift out the ashes into which the fire has consumed the burnt offering upon the altar, and put them down next to the altar."(Leviticus 6:3)
And then it talks about "the light", "the fire" on the altar. This fire is not allowed to go out, ever. It has to continuously burn. The fact that it is mentioned twice indicates the importance. I could understand including it twice, the Torah does this with many things. But, why is it mentioned two verses in a row?
"And the fire on the altar shall burn on it; it shall not go out."(6:5)
"A continuous fire shall burn upon the altar; it shall not go out."(6:6)
The fact that it is mentioned twice indicates the importance. I could understand including it twice in the portion, the Torah does this with many things. But, why is it mentioned two verses in a row?
There is consensus among commentators that this light is supposed to represent God's presence. The people are responsible for ensuring that the fire burns continuously. They are responsible for making sure that God is always present. Is this really necessary? Couldn't God take care of this? Couldn't God cause the fire to constantly burn without it needing to be tended by people?
Every word in the Torah is intentional. If the light is mentioned twice, there is a reason. I agree with the commentators, that the first time the light is mentioned it represents God.
But, the second reference to the light must represent people. Just as we are responsible for keeping God's presence in the world, God is responsible for ensuring our presence. Parashat Tzav illustrates a true partnership between God and the people.
What can we do to keep the flame burning? What can we do to ensure God's presence in the world?
Mekor Ha'chayiim, Source of Life, as we move into Shabbat, let us honor our capacity to ensure Your presence through our words and our deeds.
Shabbat shalom u'mevorach(a blessed and peaceful Shabbat),
Laurie
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