Divrei Menachem

Divrei Menachehm - Parashat T'tzaveh

Parshat T’tzaveh teaches us about the appointment of the Kohanim - Aharon and his sons - who would take over from Moshe the sacrificial duties in the newly assembled Mishkan in the wilderness. We learn of the unique holiness of the Kohanim, of their special priestly vestments, and of the detailed seven-day inauguration ceremony, consisting of a variety of sacrifices and rituals.

And then, somewhat unexpectedly, when we are ready for the climactic ending that would signal that Aharon was now ready to take on his fresh duties, the Torah turns our attention to the last in the series of the sacrifices, the Tamid-offering.

In the times of the Bet HaMikdash this offering was a festive event, replete with the songs of the Leviyim and musical accompaniment (R. Bachya). However, the Korban Tamid was totally unrelated to the inauguration ceremony. It had actually been brought every day of the year (by Moshe) even before the Mishkan reached its full sanctity (Ibn Ezra, Chizkuni).

Yet it is the directive concerning the Tamid that presages the finale of the parsha, namely, that Hashem will now “meet” the nation by the Ohel Mo’ed (Tent of Meeting) and He will be their G-d. It is as if to say that all the pomp and ceremony is important, as was the transfer of the priestly prerogative. Nevertheless, at the end of the day, it is the regular daily service - done with Simcha - that really counts.

Shabbat Shalom, Menachem Persoff

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