Tzav-Zachor 5774

“He shall offer, along with the korban todah (thanksgiving offering), unleavened loaves mingled with oil; unleavened wafers spread with oil; and scalded flour mixed with oil. (Vayikra/Leviticus 7:12)

Rashi explains that one makes a thanksgiving offering after surviving four potentially life-threatening situations: crossing a sea; traversing a desert, experiencing imprisonment; and undergoing serious illness. Together with the thanksgiving offering, one brings forty loaves of bread in four different forms. The kohen (priest) receives one loaf of each kind; the rest, all 36 remaining loaves, must be consumed on the day offered and by the following evening.

Other offerings could be eaten over a longer period, so why abbreviate the time period permitted for the consumption of the korban todah? 

Sforno writes: “By having a lot of bread, the miracle will be publicized by the many eaters.” Explains Rav Zechariah Tubi, Rosh Kollel Rabbanut of Yeshivat Kerem b’Yavneh: “The limitation in the time of eating…is intended to gather a greater crowd, which will be able to eat all that needs to be eaten in a relatively short time.” The Netziv concurs: “This is so he will invite many friends for a single meal on the day of the sacrifice, so the telling of the miracle will be before many people.”

The greater the crowd, the more the miracle would be publicized. All present would be moved by the firsthand account of G-d’s benevolence. They would think about G-d’s role in their lives and realize that should they ever find themselves in danger, they could call on G-d for help.

It is fitting that this year we read this Torah portion on Shabbat Zachor, the Sabbath preceding the Purim holiday. (This year, Purim begins Saturday evening, March 15.) Purim commemorates the Jewish people’s miraculous salvation from annihilation at the hands of the Persian Empire. We are obligated to publicize this miracle (pirsumei nisa) by publically reading Megillat Esther, the scroll containing the story. According to Shulchan Aruch (141:9) “the precept is best observed if one hears the Megillah in the synagogue where there is a multitude of people, for ‘in the multitude of people is the King’s glory.’ (Mishlei/Proverbs 14:28).”

By the time we become parents, we have experienced countless miracles. Close examination reveals G-d’s hand in all of the seemingly random events that become part of our life story. We must share with our children our personal stories and the stories of the Jewish people. Our children will grow up knowing that even when G-d seems hidden, He still is very much present, and continuously looks out for our welfare.  

https://www.kby.org/english/torat-yavneh/view.asp?id=3729

http://www.partnersintorah.org/parsha-partner/tzav-5772

  

Tzav 5772

This week’s parsha continues with the laws concerning sacrifices, including the Korban Todah, the thanksgiving offering. Rashi explains that the Korban Todah was made voluntarily when a person experienced one of the following miraculous salvations: crossing a sea; crossing a desert; being released from prison; healing from illness.  With the exception of the Korban Todah, all of the second-tier sacrifices could be eaten for two days and one night. “The flesh of his thanksgiving offering shall be eaten on the day it is offered up; he shall not leave any of it over until morning.”

What is the connection between the Todah’s single-day consumption and the fact that it is brought to show appreciation for experiencing a miracle?

To answer, first we must understand the purpose of miracles – why G-d makes them and what we are supposed to learn from experiencing them. HaRav Moshe Reiss suggests that miracles are like cardiac defibrillators. Writes Rabbi Eliyahu Hoffmann on torah.org: “After they [defibrillators] accomplish their task, all they have done is given the heart a one-time jolt back into reality; from there on in, the heart must regain its ability to function independent of external stimulation.”

The function of a miracle is a wake-up call. It is, so to speak, the defibrillator of the soul. Writes Rabbi Hoffmann: “Sometimes we take things for granted; we forget to be grateful for life’s daily miracles. When we experience something extraordinary, we are shocked; we experience extreme gratefulness and appreciation. The point [says the Imrei Emes] is not simply to remember that amazing event; the point is to integrate that appreciation into our daily lives.”

The Imrei Emes explains that the Korban Todah is only eaten for one day to remind us not to dwell on the miracle too long, for each day contains its own miracles and wonders. Writes Rabbi Hoffmann: “The function of the human body, with its countless millions of chemical reactions and electrical stimuli occurring each and every second completely unbeknownst to us, is a miracle of untold and unexplored proportions.”  By experiencing a miraculous salvation, we have seen how precious life is, but we should not over-think this one-time experience. Instead, we should use it as an impetus to appreciating all of life’s myriad miracles.

Becoming a parent is a miracle, as are the many milestones children reach. What goes on in between, from moment to moment, also is nothing short of miraculous. May we learn to appreciate the countless miracles of daily life, and never need a “defibrillator” for our souls.

Excerpted from an article by Rabbi Eliyahu Hoffmann. Read the article in its entirety at: http://torah.org/learning/olas-shabbos/5763/tzav.html