Parshas Tzav

“In a holy place you shall consume it, in the courtyard of the Ohel Mo’ed”

The sin offering is eaten on the grounds of the temple courtyard. The korban shelamim can be eaten

anywhere in Jerusalem. The sefer Nachalas Binyamin explains the difference with the words of our

rabbis: “In a place where a Baal Teshuvah stands, even a pure Tzadik cannot stand.” Although this is a

form of praise to the great levels one reaches through teshuvah, the statement also contains a caveat.

The Baal Teshuvah is carrying the propensity to sin on his shoulders. Therefore, he is on a great spiritual

level by constantly choosing to leave his past and avoid returning to it. Accordingly, one who brings a

sin-offering eats his korban in the temple courtyard, he needs to be attached to a holy place- in order to

avoid his old path.

“Speak to the Children of Israel saying, ‘ One who brings the sacrifice of his Peace Offering to Hashem,

shall bring his offering to Hashem form his Peace sacrifice. His hands shall bring.. the fats…and wave

them before Hashem.” (7,29-30)

This pasuk is a bit confusing by saying “The one who brings a sacrifice…shall bring from his sacrifice…”

Sefer Machsheves Choshev explains that the point of this is to make clear that the person who brings a

korban shelamim is not the “owner” of the korban. He is merely the “one who brings it”. This is

important to point out since the largest part of the shelamim is eaten by those who bring it. One might

just see the offering as trivial. But, in fact, the opposite is true. The rule in the gemara is that the owners

are receiving their portion from “Hashem’s table”. They are like guests with regard to the eating of this

korban. The entirety of the animal becomes the property of the Temple once it is consecrated- as by all

other korbanos- the part he receives in return is not a rebate, but a gift. It is special because Hashem has

“gifted” him a holy parcel!

“Take Aharon and his children with him”

Rashi: Take him with words.

Why does Rashi, here and in several places need to explain that “taking” means to call someone to

come?

Sefer Shaar Bas Rabim explains that we need to understand what is a person. It is not his body that is

“him”, but his soul.

In order to “take” a person you need to move his soul. Otherwise you only have moved a few organs and

limbs. Words affect changes in a person and “move” the person to change status or place. “Take

Aharon”, means to call him to duty and charge him to step into his new role.

“And he slaughtered the animal) and Moshe took from its blood and placed it on the right ear, the

right thumb and the right toe (of Aharon).” (8,23)

What might be the meaning of consecrating the ear, thumb and big toe