Commentary on Parashat Tzav, Leviticus 6:1-8:36; Numbers 19:1-22
Questions
- How long was the burnt offering supposed to last?
- Did the fire continue to burn during Shabbat? If so, how?
- What items made up the meal offering?
- What two items were not to be used in the meal offering?
- Who was designated to eat of the meal offering and where?
- The children of Israel were commanded to eat no fat from three animals. Which were they?
- Were they allowed to consume the blood of any animals or fowl?
- We are told of three instances of anointing. What were they and in what order did they occur?
- When Aaron and his sons were anointed, who was ordered to assemble and watch and where was this done?
- When the ram was killed for the burnt offering, what was done with the blood?
- Following the burnt offering, we are told about the sacrifice of the ram of consecration. How was the blood of this sacrifice handled differently?
- How many days of consecration were there during which Aaron and his sons remained in the Tent of Meeting?
- What is the meaning of the word Tzav?
Answers
- The burnt offering was known as tamid, or perpetual. The evening sacrifice was kept burning through the night until the flames could kindle the wood for the morning burnt offering. Fire kept burning on the altar continually (6:2).
- The law forbidding kindling fire on Shabbat did not apply to the Sanctuary (6:5-6).
Wood was continually added to keep the fire burning, even on Shabbat. - The meal offering was made up of fine flour, oil, and frankincense (6:8).
- Leaven and honey were not used in the meal offering (6:10).
- Every male among the children of Aaron for all generations were designated to eat the offering in the holy place–the courtyard of the Tent of Meeting (6:18-19).
- The children of Israel could not eat fat from oxen, sheep, or goats (7:23).
- They were not allowed to eat the blood of any animal (7:26-27).
- The Mishkan was anointed first, then the altar and vessels were annointed, and then Aaron and his sons were all anointed (8:6-14).
- The congregation was assembled at the door of the Tent of Meeting (8:4).
- Moses dashed it against the altar all around (8:19).
- Moses put the blood on the tip of Aaron’s right ear, thumb of his right hand, and the great toe of his right foot. The same was done to Aaron’s sons. Then the blood was dashed about the altar (8:23-24).
- Aaron and his sons remained in the Tent of Meeting for seven days of consecration (8:33).
- Tzav means “command” (6:2).
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Pronounced: shuh-BAHT or shah-BAHT, Origin: Hebrew, the Sabbath, from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday.
Torah
Pronunced: TORE-uh, Origin: Hebrew, the Five Books of Moses.