Parshas Tzav (Shabbos HaGadol) 5786
- Torah Tavlin
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
צו את אהרן ואת בניו לאמר ... (ו-ב)
MASHAL: A wealthy merchant hired two workers for his estate. One was tasked with shoveling coal into the furnace, while the other was hired to cut and polish rare diamonds.
The merchant handed the coal shoveler a spade and left him completely alone for the day. However, he stood constantly over the diamond polisher, repeatedly urging him: “Pay close attention! Be meticulous! Don’t lose focus for a second!”
Eventually, the diamond polisher grew frustrated. “Why do you constantly badger me,” he asked, “while you leave the coal worker completely alone?”
The merchant replied, “If the coal worker gets distracted and drops a lump of coal, it’s just coal. No real harm is done. But you are holding a fortune in your hands. If you lose focus and make even a millimeter of a mistake, the loss is catastrophic. That is why I must constantly urge you on.”
NIMSHAL: The very first verse of the Parsha says: “Command (Tzav) Aaron and his sons...” Rashi asks: Why use the harsh word Tzav (command) here, instead of the usual Emor (speak) or Daber (tell)? Rashi explains that Tzav implies zerizus - an urgent, meticulous encouragement, specifically required when a task involves a high cost or potential loss. The Dubno Maggid zt”l explains: The Kohanim were not just performing another ordinary ritual; they were handling the spiritual “diamonds” of the Jewish people. They were facilitating the connection between Hashem and the nation. Because the spiritual stakes were so incredibly high, because as we know a single incorrect thought or an action could completely invalidate a sacrifice, Hashem used the word Tzav. He was telling Aharon and his sons: “You hold a fortune in your hands. Be exact. Be alert.”