Yesterday & Tomorrow: Parashat Tzav

Parashah Tzav 2016 mar

Torah Sparks
Leviticus 6:1 – 8:36

Dear Diary:

Tomorrow is the big day!

Tomorrow I offer sacrifices for the last time. I guess I should feel relieved. At least one part of my job will now be over! But it never really was given to me as a job. I just did it. Now it is all becoming so official. New structures. New rules. New jobs. And the new job comes with new clothes. I have to dress Aaron with the special clothes that the people have made for him and for his boys. Funny, now that I think of it, but I never had any special clothes to wear when I was bringing sacrifices for the people. And I won’t have any tomorrow.

And, come to think of it, the people didn’t make any special robes for me when they sent me up the mountain to get the Torah for them. It’s not their fault. I have made it a point not to take anything from them. And, it occurs to me now, even when I had to make a mask to protect them from my special glow, I made it all by myself. Still, that glow, that glow was something God gave to me. And the miracle staff, too. That was something.

Everything always went easier for him. Big Brother Aaron. It was all a big effort for me, while he took everything in stride. That was comforting for me when we had to stand up to Pharaoh. He ran to me and hugged me. He got me through it, just as God said he would.

So tomorrow’s the day. Little Brother will help Big Brother put on those special clothes. With precious gems on his chest and shoulders and gold chains. With a fancy hat and a gold tiara. And then I drip oil on his head. And then it will be official. Holy. Just as God has said.

Miriam keeps telling me that I must remember to tell him that he looks awesome. That he will be terrific. But, before that – before he puts on the costume – I mustn’t forget to give him a hug. Afterwards it will be too hard.

Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi David Greenstein


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Image(s):  “diary writing” © Fredrik Rubensson used with permission via Creative Commons License

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