 |
 |
|
|
PARSHAT TZAV WITH CLEAN HANDS We have before us an additional parsha that deals with the sacrifices. Each sacrifice and its procedure are explained in detail throughout chapters 6-8 in Vayikra. There is one very important condition upon which all the sacrifices depend. This condition is hinted at in the juxtaposition between parshat Vayikra and parshat Tzav. This week's parsha begins by describing the burnt offering, while the end of the previous parsha describes the guilt offering which a person must bring to atone for having denied that he stole. The end of parshat Vayikra proclaims: "Then it shall be, because he has sinned, and incurred guilt, that he shall restore that which he took violently away…" (Vayikra 5:23) Parshat Tzav begins: "This is the law of the burnt offering..." (Vayikra 6:2) The connection between the two parshiot teaches us that if you desire to bring an offering, do not steal anything from anyone. Why? "For I the L-rd love judgement. I hate robbery with burnt offerings." (Yeshayahu 61:8) Even if you bring a burnt offering, I hate robbery. Midrash Tanchuma explains, "When will I accept the burnt offering which you bring? When you have cleaned your hands from robbery. As King David states: Who shall ascend unto the mountain of G-d and who shall stand in his holy place? He that has clean hands, and a pure heart." (Tehillim 24:3-4) This teaches us that honesty in monetary matters is an absolute condition for offering any sacrifice in the sanctuary. Our worship of G-d for all generations is defined by this lesson, even when we do not have a sanctuary. There can be neither sacrifice nor any kind of closeness to G-d, except when the deeds of our mundane life are purified from the smallest tinge of hurting our neighbor. One cannot separate the two. Bringing up a sacrifice without adhering to upright and honest behavior is the kind of rite against which the prophets of Israel fought an eternal battle. LIKE THE FIRST MAN This principle is also hinted at in the beginning of the book of
Vayikra, at the onset of the entire teaching about the sacrifices.
"If any man of you offer an offering unto the Eternal..."
(Vayikra 1:2) The Hebrew word used to describe man is "adam".
This is an exception from the usual usage of the word "ish."
Rashi, therefore, asks, "Why is this term for "man"
employed here? Since Adam also means the first man, its use suggests
the following comparison: Just like the first man did not sacrifice
anything acquired by way of robbery, since everything in the world
belonged to him, so you too, shall not offer anything acquired by
way of robbery." (Vayikra Raba 2) Why are these important matters
only hinted at rather than being written out directly? The answer
is due to their simplicity. They are supposed to be understood intuitively.
The connection between honest behavior and the offerings of G-d
is so basic to the Torah that it is not necessary to speak about
it openly. For the complete dvar Torah, please send email to berot@netvision.net.il. *******~~~~~*******~~~~~*******~~~~~*******~~~~~*******~~~~~******* |
 |
|