Parashat Tzav (Leviticus 6:1 - 9:36)

A weekly Torah exploration for families by Michael S. Raileanu, M.A.Ed.

A weekly Torah exploration for families by Michael S. Raileanu, M.A.Ed.

We are in Parashat Tzav, Leviticus 6:1 - 9:36. In this parasha we learn more about Aaron and his sons and what they will need to do with the offerings and to be the priests. There are a number of different kind of offerings discussed at the beginning of the chapter: Olah, Minchah & Chatat. The Olah is the burnt offering, the Minchah is the meal offering and the Chatat is the sin offering.

The sacrifices were performed during daylight hours, although some of the parts of the sacrifices were allowed to remain and burn through the night. Why were the sacrifices done during the daylight?
6:6 tells us about the Ner Tamid , the perpetual fire that was to burn on the altar. Do we do something like that today? Where? What is it supposed to remind us of besides the fire on the altar in the holy Temple?
In 8:3 we are told that whole community gathers at the entrance of the tent of meeting to see Aaron and his sons getting their special garments for their job. The whole community? All 600,000+ people gathered at the entrance of the tent of meeting? How can you explain this? Are there other meanings?
One of the things that Moses does to Aaron and the boys is that he slaughters a ram right in from of them and then Moses puts some of the blood on Aaron's right ear, his right thumb and on his right foot. Why? Why did the blood need to go on those places? What might they have stood for? How is Aaron's ear involved in the process of sacrifice? How about his foot?
How are sacrificies replaced today? Are we closer to God with the modern system? Why don't we sacrifice anymore?