This week’s Parasha Tzav, continues the discussion of the sacrifices that B’nai Yisrael were commanded to bring to the Bet Hamikdash. The Parasha begins (6:1), "Hashem spoke to Moshe, saying: Command Aharon and his sons, saying: This is the law of the Olah offering."
An Olah offering is one which is burnt entirely on the altar. Rashi comments according to Masechet Kidushiin (29a), "Every place where the word Tzav (command) is used, it is an indication that the Torah is giving us a command that should be carried out with zeal and immediacy for all the future generations to follow the same way."
This also applies to Pesukim 5 and 6: "The fire on the altar shall be kept burning, it shall not be extinguished. A permanent fire shall remain aflame on the altar; it shall not be extinguished."
We can learn from this that we must keep a flame burning constantly within us for Torah and Mitzvot. We must keep our enthusiasm as strong as on the day of our Bar Mitzvah and we must be careful not to fall into the trap of mediocrity. This of course includes our sacrifices of today which are our tefilot, that we must concentrate on so that they will not become routine.
This Shabbat is also called Shabbat Hagadol because before B'nei Yisrael left Egypt they were on the 49th level of impurity, as they were worshiping the sheep, the idol of the Egyptians. Hashem told the people to take the sheep and slaughter it in front of the Egyptians for an offering. Then take the sheep's blood and smear it on their door posts, so that Hashem will pass over the Jewish homes, thereby saving their first born's.
When the Egyptians saw this, they planned an attack on B'nei Yisrael and a civil war broke out. Hashem protected B'nei Yisrael by afflicting the Egyptians with a terrible disease that didn't allow them to fight due to the excruciating pain. So because of this miraculous victory, this Shabbat came to be called Shabbat Hagadol in memory of the deliverance of our nation from certain annihilation.
May we all keep the flame of our enthusiasm for Mitzvot burning as strong as the Fire offering did in the Bet Hamikdash until the coming of the Mashiah in our days! Amen!
Parasha perspective By Jack E. Rahmey from the teachings and guidance of Rabbi Amram Sananes.
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