Torah Teasers
Parshas Tzav

1. Parshas Tzav begins with the command to bring the Korban Tamid. “Tzav Es Aharon V’Es Banav Leimor”, command Aharon and his children to tell everyone (Tzav 6:1). The parshas of Tamid is meant for Ahraon and his children to preform, why does it say Leimor – that they should tell everyone? Furthermore the Lashon of Tzav is used because there is a Chesoron Kis, it costs money. Are two little lambs a day a lot of money for an entire nation? Ans…The Yagdil Torah brings from Rav Simcha Bunim of Peshischa that the gemara on Menachos (110a) says that whoever learns Torah does not need to bring Korbanos. This means that when a person came to Aharon telling he wanted to bring a korban AHaron would say better go learn Torah and you won’t need to bring a korban. This is the “Leimor”, go tell the people that Torah is better. This explains why they needed an extra push. By telling the people to learn instead of bringing korbanos the Kohanim were forfeiting their own livelihood from the meat and hid they got from the korbanos. To convince someone not to do something that you benefit from financially takes much strength and courage.
2. The Torah tells us that before taking the ashes outside the Machaneh, the Kohen would change his clothing (Tzav 6:4). Rashi says that he would take off the clothing he wore for the avodah in the Bais HaMikdash, in order not to sully them. “This is not a chiyuv,” says Rashi, “it is a Din of Derech Eretz. The clothing that a servant wears while cooking should not be used when serving the king.” Ans… Rav Moshe Feinstein says that we learn from here that even Halachos Derech Eretz are real Halachos. An example is by davening where we need to wear respectable clothing. Rav Moshe says that if you do not change your clothing to something respectable when possible, it is as if “chas v’shalom” you don’t know that you are standing before the King.
3. Unlike the other Korbanos that are brought mainly for Hashem, A Korban Shlamim is brought when a person wants to have a feast but also wants to include Hashem. The meat is divided between Hashem, the Kohanim, and the owner, and all this meat will be eaten over two days. The Korban Todah is a kind of Korban Shlamim, but it differs in that it must be consumed the day it is brought and before the next morning. Also, there are 40 breads that need to be consumed during this short period. Why such a difference in requirments? Ans… Rav Shimshon Pincus explains the reason for these differences. “The Korban Todah is not just any feast, it is one of gratitude to Hashem for a salvation you received. It is not enough to be thankful in private. You must very publicly thank Hashem and extend the greatness of Hashem to others and it should not be missed. The strict time limit for finishing the meat and the great abundance of bread means that the host will need to invite many people to his party in order to finish it.” So when it comes time to make a party and say Thank You to Hashem, you may be the host, but Hashem makes the menu, and you need to make sure to finish it all up.
4. When commanding Bnei Yisrael to bring the Korban Tamid every day, the Pasuk says, “Tzav Es Aharon;” (Tzav 6:2) Command Aharon.” Rashi says that the word Tzav is used to rally the people in a situation where there is Chesaron Kis, it will cost them money. Rav Moshe Shmuel Shapira asks, “Since the Korban Tamid was paid for by all of Klal Yisrael, it was a negligible sum for each person. For a paltry sum do you really need to rally the people? Ans…Rav Moshe Shmuel answers that Hashem imbued a person’s nature with a resistance to parting with his money, and this is the way it should be. Chazal tell us that tzadikim valued their money more than their own body, like we see by Yaakov who risked his life to cross the river at night to save his small utensils. Why is this? Every cent a person acquires in this world takes time, and time is most precious of all, especially for a tzadik. Someone who does not value money and throws it away, spending foolishly, shows a great disregard for his time.
5. “He HaOlah Al Mokda; The Olah went up on the great flames of the Mizbei’ach.” The letter “Mem” of the word Mokda is written small. Why is that? Ans…The Kotzker Rebbe explains that although you should serve Hashem with great Hislahavus, with a fiery spirit, nevertheless, you should remain small and all your passion and frenzy should be hidden from the public, just like the small “Mem” of the word Mokda.
6. In the last pasuk in the parsha, after the Shivas Yimei Miluim, it says, “Vayas Aharon Uvanav.” Rashi says, “We learn from here their greatness that they did exactly as told and did not turn right or left.” Why does Rashi use the expression right or left instead of saying they did as told? Ans… The Chida explains that in the beginning of the Shivas Yimei Milu’im, Aharon and his sons were all dressed up in the Bigdei Kehuna and anointed with the Shemen HaMishcha. They were all excited to do the holy avodah. Then they were told they are not doing any avodah. Moshe Rabbeinu was the only one to do the avodah all seven days. Yet, on the other hand, they were told not to leave the Mishkan all seven days. This is what Rashi alludes to. They did not turn right into the Mishkan to do the avodah they were anxious to do. Nor did they turn left, outside leaving the Mishkan and going home. They sat patiently as commanded and constrained all their emotions. For that they were praised!

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TzaV Test Me….Just Test Me…..I Dare You!
1. What separated the kohen’s skin from the priestly garments? – Nothing.
2. How often were the ashes removed from upon the mizbe’ach? How often were they removed from next to the mizbe’ach?
– A) Every day. B) Whenever there was a lot.
3. If someone extinguishes the fire on the mizbe’ach, how many Torah violations has he transgressed? – Two.
4. The portion of a flour-offering offered on the mizbe’ach may not be chametz. But is the kohen’s portion allowed to be chametz? – No.
5. When a kohen is inaugurated, what offering must he bring? – A korban mincha — A tenth part of an ephah of flour.
6. What three baking processes were used to prepare the korban of Aharon and his sons?
– Boiling, baking in an oven and frying in a pan.
7. What is the difference between a minchas kohen and a minchas Yisroel?
– The minchas kohen is burnt completely. Only a handful of the minchas Yisroel is burnt, and the remainder is eaten by the kohanim.
8. When is a kohen disqualified from eating from a chatos?
– If he is tamei (spiritually impure) at the time of the sprinkling of the blood.
9. What is the difference between a copper and earthenware vessel regarding removing absorbed tastes?
– One can remove an absorbed taste from a copper vessel by scouring and rinsing, whereas such a taste can never be removed from an earthenware vessel.
10. Can an animal dedicated as an asham be replaced with another animal? – No.
11. How does an asham differ from all other korbanos? – It can only be brought from a ram or sheep.
12. Unlike all other korbonos, what part of the ram or sheep may be placed on the mizbe’ach? – The tail.
13. What three types of kohanim may not eat from the asham?
– A t’vul yom (a tamei kohen who immersed in a mikveh yet awaits sunset to become tahor); A mechusar kipurim (a tamei person who has gone to the mikveh but has yet to bring his required offering); An onan (a mourner prior to the burial of the deceased).
14. In which four instances is a korban todah brought?
– Upon safe arrival from an ocean voyage; Upon safe arrival from a desert journey; Upon being freed from prison; Upon recovering from illness.
15. Until when may a todah be eaten according to the Torah? Until when according to Rabbinic decree?
(a) Until the morning. (b) Until midnight.
16. What are the 5 categories of korbanos listed in this Parsha? Olah; mincha; chatos; asham; shelamim.
Correct: 10 or more: Pat yourself on the back. Less than 10: Pat yourself on the head. 5 or less: Hit your knuckles against your head and say — “Knock on wood”.

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