Friday, March 23, 2018

Parsha Tzav, Short Drasha, Story



Moshe Eliyah ben Chana passed away last week so please remove him from the prayer list.

Parsha Tzav

Last week, we had the strange work “Vayikra” or calling unto Moshe. We continue the conversation from HASHEM with “spoke” or “said” unto Moshe that is normally used in the Torah. Up until now, Moshe was commanded about the sacrifices in general. Now we start off with the firewood and the command  that the Cohanim must be modest and therefore underpants or long johns had to be warn when ascending the Mizbayach.

6:1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 2 Command Aaron and his sons, saying: This is the law of the burnt-offering: it is that which goeth up on its firewood upon the altar all night unto the morning; and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning thereby. 3 And the priest shall put on his linen garment, and his linen breeches shall he put upon his flesh; and he shall take up the ashes whereto the fire hath consumed the burnt-offering on the altar, and he shall put them beside the altar. 4 And he shall put off his garments, and put on other garments, and carry forth the ashes without the camp unto a clean place.

The Cohain was to serve the Korban on the Mizbayach with one garment and then have another ready for removing the ashes. This might not be the same Cohain. For the burnt offering took time.

5 And the fire upon the altar shall be kept burning thereby, it shall not go out; and the priest shall kindle wood on it every morning; and he shall lay the burnt-offering in order upon it, and shall make smoke thereon the fat of the peace-offerings.

No go out because of negligence. However, we sinned and have been vanquished, and therefore the fire was extinguished by force.

6 Fire shall be kept burning upon the altar continually; it shall not go out. 7 And this is the law of the meal-offering: the sons of Aaron shall offer it before the LORD, in front of the altar.

Our generation has a reverse problem in that we it too much refined flour and this causes many problems. Before HASHEM we want to bring the finest which is the finest of virgin olive oil and ground-sifted and reground and sifted farina flour.

8 And he shall take up therefrom his handful, of the fine flour of the meal-offering, and of the oil thereof, and all the frankincense which is upon the meal-offering, and shall make the memorial-part thereof smoke upon the altar for a sweet savor unto the LORD.

This is the meal offering that accompanies a Korban. The handful is actually a very small part of a fist full with the pinky straight and the next three fingers folder over with thumb chopping off excess flour. The amount is very tiny.

And he shall lift out of it: i.e., out of what is attached, meaning that [the amount of the mixture from where he lifts out,] should be a complete tenth [of an ephah,] at one time, namely at the time of the scooping. — [Torath Kohanim 6:27]  In his fist: [This teaches us that] he may not make a measure for a fistful [but rather, he must use his fingers directly]. - [Torath Kohanim 6:27]  From the fine flour of the meal-offering and from its oil: [Now, we already know that the flour to be scooped up is mixed with oil, so why does the verse specifically mention oil here?] From here, we learn that the fistful [must be taken] from a place [in the meal- offering] where there is an abundance of its oil [i.e., where the oil is mixed thoroughly with the flour]. — [Sotah 14b] The meal-offering: [I.e., from that particular meal-offering;] it must not be mingled with another [meal-offering]. — [Torath Kohanim 6:27]  And all the frankincense that is on the meal-offering, and he shall cause to [go up in] smoke: [meaning] that he must gather up [all] its frankincense after the scooping, and cause it to go up in smoke. And since Scripture specifically stated this law only in one case of the meal-offerings mentioned in וַיִּקְרָא (see Lev.2:2), Scripture found it necessary to repeat this section [including this law], to include all [kinds of] meal-offerings, in accordance with their law.

9 And that which is left thereof shall Aaron and his sons eat; it shall be eaten without leaven in a holy place; in the court of the tent of meeting they shall eat it.

In a holy place: And which place is this? In the courtyard of the Tent of Meeting. — [Torath Kohanim 6:32]

Without leaven – in fact most of the Korbanos with the exception of Todah or thanksgiving offering which had loaves. The others were without leaven. This were probably like the Iraqi Lafah that is baked on the walls of an oven and is complete in less than a minute. It is softer than our modern Matzos sometimes thin and crispy but often thin

10 It shall not be baked with leaven. I have given it as their portion of My offerings made by fire; it is most holy, as the sin-offering, and as the guilt-offering.

A repeat to emphasize the necessity of the meal offering being a form of Matzo. Since this is a command, we do not ask why but do it. It might be because Matzos are made with extra care and we have to bring Korbanos extra pure, no blemish and with extra Kavannah. Rashi uses the terse words “extra care” for the Korbanos.


It shall not be baked leavened. [As] their portion: [literally, “It must not be baked leavened, their portion.” I.e., from the juxtaposition of these words, is derived the law that] even the leftover portions [of the meal-offering, which go to the kohanim,] are prohibited to be leavened. — [Men. 55a] Like the sin-offering and like the guilt-offering: [This refers to two different cases:] “Like a sin-offering” refers to the meal-offering of a sinner. [How is this sacrifice like a sin-offering? Insofar as just as the sin-offering must be sacrificed for that specific purpose, so too, the חוֹטֵא מִנְחַת] if [the kohen] performed the scooping while having in mind that should not be for the purpose of this sacrifice, it is invalid. And “like a guilt-offering” refers to a meal- offering brought as a voluntary donation. Therefore, if [the kohen] performed the scooping while having in mind that it should not be for the purpose of this sacrifice, it is still valid. — [Torath Kohanim 6:35]


11 Every male among the children of Aaron may eat of it, as a due for ever throughout your generations, from the offerings of the LORD made by fire; whatsoever touches them shall be holy.

One must be extra pure. The level of Tuma for a normal and careful Jew is second degree Tuma purity. For eating Teruma is third degree and for a Korban fourth degree. The Gemara explains the procedure in detail. For our purpose if the Mikdash was to be built, it would be enough to go to the Mikvah and in our day, when we are all Tuma from contact with the dead, we could still offer up a Korban Pessach. However, this year we did not put the Sheep aside Erev Rosh Chodesh as was done in Mitzrayim (Shemos 12). So we have missed out this year.

12 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 13 This is the offering of Aaron and of his sons, which they shall offer unto the LORD in the day when he is anointed: the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a meal-offering perpetually, half of it in the morning, and half thereof in the evening.

This is the plain meal offering or Koban Mincha.

14 On a griddle it shall be made with oil; when it is soaked, thou shalt bring it in; in broken pieces shalt thou offer the meal-offering for a sweet savor unto the LORD. 15 And the anointed priest that shall be in his stead from among his sons shall offer it, it is a due for ever; it shall be wholly made to smoke unto the LORD. 16 And every meal-offering of the priest shall be wholly made to smoke; it shall not be eaten.
17 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 18 Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, saying: This is the law of the sin-offering: in the place where the burnt-offering is killed shall the sin-offering be ritually slaughtered with the proper knife, blessings and thoughts before the LORD; it is most holy.

The Parsha covers the Korban Chatas followed by the Korban Asham. Both are a high degree of Kedusha.

7:1 And this is the law of the guilt-offering: it is most holy. 2 In the place where they kill the burnt-offering shall they ritually slaughtered with the proper knife, blessings and thoughts the guilt-offering: and the blood thereof shall be dashed against the altar round about. 3 And he shall offer of it all the fat thereof: the fat tail, and the fat that covers the inwards, 4 and the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the loins, and the lobe above the liver, which he shall take away by the kidneys. 5 And the priest shall make them smoke upon the altar for an offering made by fire unto the LORD; it is a guilt-offering. 6 Every male among the priests may eat thereof; it shall be eaten in a holy place; it is most holy. … 11 And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace-offerings, which one may offer unto the LORD.

Shlamim from the word Shalom hence Peace offering in English. In addition, the Korban Todah or thanksgiving offering of one who crossed the sea in peace or large deserts in peace is a form of Shlamim and so is the Pessach. (In the times when the Temple stood, Pessach was used for the Korban and the Chag Ha Aviv or Chag Yetzias Mitzrayim was used.)

12 If he offer it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers spread with oil, and cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour soaked. 13 With cakes of leavened bread he shall present his offering with the sacrifice of his peace-offerings for thanksgiving.

As I mentioned above, this is the only Korban that contained Leaven. For this reason we say the daily Mizmor Le Todah every weekday except Erev Pessach and Chol HaMoed Pessach.

14 And of it he shall present one out of each offering for a gift unto the LORD; it shall be the priest's that dashed the blood of the peace-offerings against the altar. 15 And the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace-offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten on the day of his offering; he shall not leave any of it until the morning. 16 But if the sacrifice of his offering be a vow, or a freewill-offering, it shall be eaten on the day that he offered his sacrifice; and on the morrow that which remains of it may be eaten. 17 But that which remains of the flesh of the sacrifice on the third day shall be burnt with fire.

One had two nights to enjoy the Korban with family and friends. After that time, the left overs had to be burned.

18 And if any of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace-offerings be at all eaten on the third day, it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed unto him that offered it; it shall be an abhorred thing, and the soul that eats of it shall bear his iniquity. 19 And the flesh that touches any unclean thing shall not be eaten; it shall be burnt with fire. And as for the flesh, every one that is clean may eat thereof.

Yesterday, one was clean and eating in the proper place and time. Now one has either gone over the time limit or outside of Yerushalayim making the Korban Pigul. Or eating in an impure aka Tumay state becomes abhorrent before HASHEM. One must be expedient and Tahor when eating a Korban.

20 But the soul that eats of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace-offerings, that pertain unto the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, that soul shall be cut off from his people.

Instead of bringing oneself closer to HASHEM, they have cut themselves off from the Jewish People in the next world.

21 And when any one shall touch any unclean thing, whether it be the uncleanness of man, or an unclean beast, or any unclean detestable thing, and eat of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace-offerings, which pertain unto the LORD, that soul shall be cut off from his people. 22 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 23 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying: Ye shall eat no fat, of ox, or sheep, or goat.

Chelev is forbidden and like the Korban Tamay brings about Kares from the Jewish People.

24 And the fat of that which dies of itself, and the fat of that which is torn of beasts, may be used for any other service; but ye shall in no wise eat of it.

Trafe food is forbidden. Parsha Shemini will deal with Kosher and non-Kosher Animals.

… 35 This is the consecrated portion of Aaron, and the consecrated portion of his sons, out of the offerings of the LORD made by fire, in the day when they were presented to minister unto the LORD in the priest's office;

Moshe ordained the Cohanim as in Chapter 8:

36 which the LORD commanded to be given them of the children of Israel, in the day that they were anointed. It is a due for ever throughout their generations. 37 This is the law of the burnt-offering, of the meal-offering, and of the sin-offering, and of the guilt-offering, and of the consecration-offering, and of the sacrifice of peace-offerings; 38 which the LORD commanded Moses in mount Sinai, in the day that he commanded the children of Israel to present their offerings unto the LORD, in the wilderness of Sinai.
6 And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water. 7 And he put upon him the tunic, and girded him with the girdle, and clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod upon him, and he girded him with the skillfully woven band of the ephod, and bound it unto him therewith. 8 And he placed the breastplate upon him; and in the breastplate he put the Urim and the Thummim. 9 And he set the mitre upon his head; and upon the mitre, in front, did he set the golden plate, the holy crown; as the LORD commanded Moses. 10 And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them. ... 23 And when it was slain, Moses took of the blood thereof, and put it upon the tip of Aaron's right ear, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot. 24 And Aaron's sons were brought, and Moses put of the blood upon the tip of their right ear, and upon the thumb of their right hand, and upon the great toe of their right foot; and Moses dashed the blood against the altar round about. …31 And Moses said unto Aaron and to his sons: 'Boil the flesh at the door of the tent of meeting; and there eat it and the bread that is in the basket of consecration, as I commanded, saying: Aaron and his sons shall eat it. 32 And that which remains of the flesh and of the bread shall ye burn with fire. 33 And ye shall not go out from the door of the tent of meeting seven days, until the days of your consecration be fulfilled; for He shall consecrate you seven days. 34 As hath been done this day, so the LORD hath commanded to do, to make atonement for you. 35 And at the door of the tent of meeting shall ye abide day and night seven days, and keep the charge of the LORD, that ye die not; for so I am commanded. 36 And Aaron and his sons did all the things which the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.


Shabbos HaGadol Drasha

It is not unusual for a person to travel from his home to a hotel for Pessach. There are many reasons from the wife is wife is after childbirth or one of the couple recovering from an illness or just from the fact that they don’t want to cook. 30 days before Pessach, one is required to search their house for Chametz. One who leaves his home for Pessach can sell the whole apt or all Chametz in a house for Pessach.

If one has more than one home and is going to be elsewhere, he must search each. I will take an example. Let us say I have a Jewish man named Donald, who is wealthy. He is at his white house after Purim so he must search that. He then flies down to play a few rounds of gold at his Mar Largo home. He must search that house too. Finally, he goes to Glatt Kosher Seder in Miami Beach with his family. However, he chooses to arrive on he 13th of Nisan, He must search his hotel room too.

Honoring the Young by R. Yerachmiel Tilles

When Reb Shmelke, the son of Rebbe Moshe Leib of Sassov, was still a young man he set out once for Mezhibuzh. There he wished to study at the feet of Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Heschel, the "Ohev Yisrael", who was later renowned as the rav and rebbe of Apta.
As soon as his attendant informed the tzadik that the son of Reb Moshe Leib had arrived, he was instructed to bring a chair next to that of the rebbe, to light extra candles in the suspended candelabrum, and to bring the tzadik the coat which he usually wore only in honor of Rosh Chodesh. When the young guest was admitted to the rebbe's presence, the tzaddik approached him and, after extending a cordial welcome, invited him to sit next to himself.
Reb Shmelke was embarrassed by the honor being shown him. He could hardly decline though, so he carried out the wish of his illustrious host.
The tzadik explained himself: "I am under obligation to how you respect because it was your father Reb Moshe Leib who brought me to the true service of G-d. Let me tell you how it all came about.
"I was once the rav of a small town called Kolbasov where my life consisted of the uninterrupted study of the Torah. One day when I was sitting with my books, I observed two men approaching my house, one short and thin and the other quite large. I saw at once that they were men of stature. But so intense was my thirst for increasing my knowledge of the Torah that I did not take the time even to ask them who they were. I only greeted them, offered them a drop of vodka and some light refreshments, and returned to my books.
"They stayed on after they had partaken of what was on the table and continued talking to each other. Their conversation of course distracted me a little from my studies, but since they were clearly no common folk I said nothing, and simply concentrated harder. I gained the impression that they were speaking of lofty matters, but I told myself: 'What's all that to do with me: For this isn't my accustomed path in the service of the Creator.'
"Late in the afternoon it was time to go off to the synagogue for Minchah prayers and then for the Maariv service. I went, and they went too. They then asked me if there was a place to sleep. I certainly had no free space but somehow we managed to find them a nook. When I rose at midnight for the lament of Tikkun Chatzos they rose too. We then continued as on the previous day: I sat and studied alone, and they resumed their discussion. At daybreak they took their leave and took to the road.
"Just before it was time for morning prayers I spent a few quiet minutes on my veranda, reflecting on this strange visit. I then recalled snippets of their conversation that I had overheard while I was studying. These were sublime thoughts indeed. 'Whatever came over me?' I asked myself. 'Why didn't I ask them who they were and what brought them to my home?'
Day by day more of their conversation came to mind. The ideas they spoke of were as sweet as honey, and enabled me to pray more earnestly. I regretted intensely my not having made their acquaintance.
"Two weeks later, likewise before my morning prayers, when I had just taken off my hat and was wearing only my yarmulke, I was again relaxing on the veranda deep in thought. Suddenly I saw a wagon trundling past with those same two men seated in it! I never go out of doors with my head covered only by a skullcap, but I was at once so overjoyed and overawed that I quite forgot that I wasn't wearing my hat. I ran after them to greet them.
"They returned my greeting - but very coolly. They said they were in a hurry, I asked them what I could do for them; they said I could buy them some bagels. Forgetting everything, I ran down the street myself to buy them, and while running I saw that they had already resumed their journey.
"I called out towards my home, asking that someone should quickly bring me my hat and my tefillin. Then I ran after them, calling them to draw their reins. But they didn't want to stop, and the wagon lurched straight ahead. The horses continued to gallop. I was drawn after them, running as fast as I could behind them, for quite a long distance - until at long last they had pity on me. They drew to a halt and waited till I caught up to them and then helped me to climb up to join them.
"When we reached a nearby village we first stopped there to pray, and then they wanted to send me back home. 'No' I said, 'wherever you go I shall go.'
They refused my request, and said: 'Although we were sent by the Maggid of Mezritch, your place is not with us but with the saintly Rebbe Elimelech in Lyzhinsk. Make your way there, seek him out, and find peace in his protective shadow. We came here only in order to show you the path which you should follow.'
"I followed their advice and eventually found my place in the circle led by the tzadik of Lyzhinsk."
R. Abraham Yehoshua Heschel now concluded his story: "Those two men were Rebbe Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev and Rebbe Moshe Leib of Sossov. And now, my dear Reb Shmelke, since your father was one of those who guided me to the Chasidic path in the service of G-d, I am under obligation to show his sons every possible mark of respect."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Source: Adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from A Treasury of Chassidic Tales (Artscroll), as translated by R. Uri Kaploun from Sipurei Chasidim by Rabbi S. Y. Zevin.
Biographical notes (in order of appearance):
Rabbi Moshe-Leib of Sossov [of blessed memory: 5502-4 Shvat 5567 (1745- Jan. 1807 C.E.)] was the leading disciple of Reb Shmelke of Nicholsburg. He also received from the Maggid of Mezritch and from Elimelech of Lyzhinsk. Subsequently a Rebbe in his own right with many followers, he was famous primarily for his love of his fellow Jews and his creative musical talent. His teachings are contained in the books, Likutei RaMal, Toras ReMaL Hashalem, and Chidushei RaMal.
Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Heschel [of blessed memory: 5515 - 5 Nissan 5585 (1755 -March 1825 C.E.)], the Apter Rebbe, was a main disciple of the Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhinsk. He is also often referred to as "the Ohev Yisrael," both after the title of the famous book of his teachings, and also because its meaning ("Lover of Jews") fits him so aptly. The Kapishnitzer Chasidic dynasty descends from him.
Rabbi Elimelech of Lizensk [of blessed memory:5477 - 21 Adar 5547 (1717 - March 1787 C.E.)], was a leading disciple of the Maggid of Mezritch, successor to the Baal Shem Tov, and the leading Rebbe of the subsequent generation in Poland-Galitzia. Most of the great Chassidic dynasties stem from his disciples. His book, Noam Elimelech, is one of the most popular of all Chassidic works.
Rabbi Dov Ber [of blessed memory: c.5460 - 19 Kislev 5533 (c.1700- Dec. 1772 C.E.)], the son of Avraham and Chava, known as the Maggid of Mezritch, succeeded his master, the Baal Shem Tov, as the head of the Chasidic movement. Most of the leading Chasidic dynasties originate from his disciples and his descendents. The classic anthologies of his teachings are Likutei Amarim and Torah Ohr (combined by Kehas Publishing as Maggid Devorav l'Yaakov), and Ohr HaEmmes.
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak (Deberamdiger) of Berditchev [of blessed memory: 5500 - 25 Tishrei 5571 (1740 - Oct. 1810)] is one of the more popular Rebbes in chasidic history. He was a close disciple of the Maggid of Mezritch, successor to the Baal Shem Tov. He is best known for his love for every Jew and his perpetual intercession before Heaven on their behalf. Many of his teachings are contained in the posthumously published Kedushat Levi.

Connection: Wednesday, Nissan 5, is the 193rd yahrzeit of the Apter Rebbe.

The Bnei Anusim are going to hold rallies in 70 cities in honor the 70th Anniversary of Israeli Independence.

Natan Shiransky wins the Israeli Prize. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5178225,00.html

The Austin Bomber was caught and he committed suicide. The speed in which he was caught is good news. http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/03/21/austin-bombing-suspect-kills-self-with-explosive-as-police-close-in-report.html


Ira Michaelson and a Noachide discuss on Arutz 7 46minutes of audio: “Can a non-Jew observe Pessach?” I will not discuss this but as a neutral observer I ask the following question – if they have not bound themselves with Am Yisrael then how can they observe “Slaves we were in Egypt” and “In every generation… What G-D did for Me when I went out of Egypt”. A Ger Tzeddek is considered part of the Nation. If you want to listen during Pessach Cleaning or cooking: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/243452

This could endanger IDF Soldiers and other Security Personalities as Facebook comes under investigation. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5190965,00.html


Inyanay Diyoma






Israeli police arrest Jew instead. http://israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/243272

Nixon overruled all to help Israel. http://israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/243296












Jews died fighting for Black Civil Rights and this is our thanks source not verified. http://www.israellycool.com/2018/03/19/d-c-lawmaker-trayon-white-accuses-the-jews-of-controlling-the-weather/

From David: Austria challenges Poland regarding Holocaust. http://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/Poland-note-Austrian-chancellors-Sebastian-Kurz-speech-545149

Plan of action against Iran. https://www.debka.com/trump-saudi-prince-uae-to-set-up-action-group-against-iran/

Warning to Iran – we bombed the Syrian Nuke site. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/243427

Palestinian propagandist gets time for slapping soldier in plea deal. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/243443

Is Islam compatible with the west? https://dianebederman.com/is-islam-compatible-with-the-west/?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=socialnetwork

Tailor Force Act: https://mail.aol.com/webmail-std/en-us/suite

Advisors work at the pleasure of the president. This is very good for the president as McMaster was a holdover from a job at the Obama Administration. Maybe now there will be less leaks unless the leak comes from the source as Roosevelt did “off the record”. https://www.algemeiner.com/2018/03/22/trump-ousts-mcmaster-taps-hawk-bolton-as-national-security-adviser/

Wiki-leaks shows Clinton paid money to the campaigns of low energy Republicans against Trump but that did not help. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zD5uKGfLPzI&feature=share

Israeli Intelligence failure caused a last minute panic in the government. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5190824,00.html

Belgistan antisemitic text book. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5190584,00.html

GOOD SHABBOS CHAG KOSHER V’SAMAYACH STAY HEALTHY AND DON’T OVER EAT.
Rachamim Pauli