{"id":10605,"date":"2017-04-08T07:54:08","date_gmt":"2017-04-08T14:54:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hoshanarabbah.org\/blog\/?p=10605"},"modified":"2017-04-08T07:54:38","modified_gmt":"2017-04-08T14:54:38","slug":"parashat-tzav-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hoshanarabbah.org\/blog\/2017\/04\/08\/parashat-tzav-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Parashat Tzav Leviticus 6:8[1]-8:36"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Haftorah Reading<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Jeremiah 7:21\u20138:3; 9:22(23)\u201323(24)<\/p>\n

Testimony of Yeshua<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

On being a living sacrifice:\u2002omans 12:1\u20132<\/p>\n

On Yeshua being our High Priest and the ultimate sacrifice:\u2002ebrews 4:14\u20135:10; 7:1\u201328; 8:1\u20136; 9:1\u201328; 10:1\u201339; 13:10\u201314<\/p>\n

On being a pure spiritual temple:\u2002\u2009Corinthians 6:14\u20137:1; 1\u2009Peter\u202f1:14\u201316<\/p>\n

On the spiritual priestly garments of the saints:\u2002phesians 5:27; 6:10\u201318; Revelation 7:13\u201314; 19:8<\/p>\n

Outline of This Week\u2019s Parashah (Torah Portion)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\u20146:8 (1) The Law of the Elevation or Burnt (Olah)<\/i> Offering<\/p>\n

\u20146:14 (7) The Meal or Grain (Minchah)<\/i> Offering<\/p>\n

\u20146:24 (17) The Sin (Chatat)<\/i> Offering<\/p>\n

\u20147:1 The Guilt (Asham)<\/i> Offering<\/p>\n

\u20147:11 The Thanksgiving (Todah)<\/i> or Peace (Shelamim)<\/i> Offering<\/p>\n

\u20147:19 Eating in a State of Contamination<\/p>\n

\u20147:22 Fat and Blood Not to Be Eaten<\/p>\n

\u20147:28 The Parts of the Offering to Be Burned and Those Given to the Priests as Gifts<\/p>\n

\u20148:1 Consecration of Aaron and His Sons for the Priestly Service in the Tabernacle<\/p>\n

Study Questions for This Week\u2019s Midrash (Torah Discussion)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

1 6:10<\/b> [6:3<\/b> in Jewish bibles], Linen britches.<\/i> The Jewish sages teach that every Israelite should be a human temple. If he is set-apart (kadosh),<\/i> then the temple of his body will be kadosh;<\/i> if he sins he contaminates it. This is consistent with the teachings of the apostles (see the Testimony of Yeshua readings above). Furthermore, in this parashah we see the high priest donning a \u201cfitted\u201d linen tunic and britches \u201con his flesh,\u201d which was an illusion to robes of righteousness (Lev\u202f6:10\u2009[3]). Most of us have too casual a view of sin\u2014something a righteous and set-apart Elohim hates and calls an abomination (Ps\u202f5:5; Prov\u202f6:16\u201319). Sin that is not repented of will damn us eternally (Ezek 18:4,\u200920; Rom 6:23). Our sin sentenced Yeshua to a hideous death on the cross in our place. (Selah: pause and reflect.)<\/p>\n

Perhaps the greatest area of sin is with our mouths; it defiles our spiritual temples probably every day! (Read Mark 7:14\u201323 and Jas 3:1\u201312.) Our mouths sow discord among brethren, speak vanities, murders and lies\u2014things that Elohim (his Hebrew name referring to the judgment side of his character) hates and calls an abomination in Proverbs 6:16\u201319. The tongue is a world of iniquity, especially behind closed doors where we let down our guard with our family and loved ones. There our tongues rip, slice, slash, murder, speak vanities and hypocrisy almost without measure. The word Babylon<\/i> comes from the Hebrew word bavel<\/i> meaning \u201cconfusion or mixture\u201d referring to when the languages of men were confounded at the Tower of Bavel. How can we be a righteous and set-apart priesthood offering up praise and worship to our Creator with our lips when 30 minutes before our lips were murdering our wife, children, husband or someone else on the way to Shabbat services? Is this not confusion? A divided heart? A forked (serpent\u2019s) tongue? The Scriptures plainly tell us to come out of Babylon\u2019s ways (Rev 18:4). The writer of Hebrews says, \u201cFollow peace (shalom)<\/i> with all men, and holiness, without which no man can see the Master\u201d (Heb\u00a012:14). If we could but tame the tongue, then we would be able to steer the whole temple of our spiritual ship (to mix metaphors) into the glorious harbors of holiness and relationship with man and with our Creator. Let\u2019s stop and take some time to repent of our sinfulness in these areas.<\/p>\n

2 6:17 (10)<\/b>, No leaven.<\/i> Why does YHVH stipulate this prohibition? The main Jewish commentaries are unable to answer this question. It is not until we understand the spiritual implications of leavening as revealed in the Testimony of Yeshua that this prohibition makes sense. What is leaven a spiritual picture of? (See Matt 16:1\u20135,\u200912; Luke 12:1; 1\u2009Cor 5:1\u20135.) What does unleavened bread represent? (See 1\u2009Cor 5:5, the last words of the verse.) Now who did the unleavened bread offered on the altar represent? (See Matt 26:26.) Since leavened bread is a picture of hypocrisy and lies (or sin), for bread offered on the altar to contain leavening would violate the picture of Yeshua as the perfect and sinless offering. Yeshua\u2019s death on the cross as a payment for all of man\u2019s sins fulfilled all the types and shadows of the sacrificial system.<\/p>\n

3 6:16\u2009(9), 27\u2009(20), 29\u2009(22)<\/b>, Holy [Heb. kadosh].<\/i> The tabernacle contained an altar upon which was barbecued meat that was at times eaten by the priests. Upon the same altar was baked unleavened bread, which was offered to YHVH and then eaten by the priest. The Jewish sages teach that not only is an Israelite\u2019s body a tabernacle or temple, but that one\u2019s table within one\u2019s home is like an altar in the temple, and should, therefore, symbolize charity and hospitality\u2014eternal values that we need to transmit to our children. So when there is no physical, earthly temple, the principles of the earthly temple are upheld in what we do with our bodies and what occurs in our homes. How diligent have you been to live out these principles in the temple of your body and the temple of your home?<\/p>\n

4 6:12\u2009(5)\u201313\u2009(6)<\/b>, The fire on the altar of sacrifice was to never go out; it was a permanent fire. The priest was to stoke the fire each morning after it had died down during the night. What does this speak of in the redeemed Israelite believer\u2019s life? Does the term \u201cmorning devotions\u201d ring a bell?<\/p>\n

5 7:11\u201317<\/b>, The Jewish sages teach that in the world to come (olam haba)<\/i> after Messiah\u2019s coming, and after the establishment of his eternal kingdom, a perfect world will exist without sin, therefore eliminating the need for the atonement offering. Nonetheless, the thanksgiving offering will continue as a means to thank Elohim and to offer praise to him. What does this teach us about what our attitude of gratitude toward YHVH should be? How grateful are you? How much of your prayer time is spent in thankfulness and gratitude versus the \u201cgimmes\u201d: \u201cgimme (give me) this\u201d and \u201cgimme that?\u201d We are commanded to give thanks to YHVH for all things<\/b> (Eph\u202f5:20; 1\u2009Thess 5:18; Col 3:17). Have you disciplined yourself to be grateful to YHVH for all things\u2014both the blessings we receive as well as for the trials that come our way? Do you find his blessing in everything, and let his joy and heart of gratitude penetrate your heart and mind in all circumstances? To do so is to tap into YHVH\u2019s river of life. To do so is to let your light shine in such a way as to confound the natural mind of man and to cause those around you to wonder at your source of inner strength, joy, love and light. To do so adds health to your body and years to your life.<\/p>\n

6 7:13<\/b>, Leavened bread.<\/i> The Torah prohibited the offering of leavened bread on the altar (Lev 2:11). There are only two instances where leavening in bread was permitted in the tabernacle service. In this verse, leavened bread was offered in conjunction with the peace offering (Lev 2:13) where it was eaten as part of the sacrificial meal. But it wasn\u2019t placed on the altar, nor was it a part of the sacrifice, therefore, it wasn\u2019t a prophetic picture of the sinless Yeshua dying on the cross.<\/p>\n

Finally, the Torah instructs the priests to wave two loaves of leavened bread on Shavuot<\/i> or Pentecost before YHVH (Lev 23:17). These two loaves pictured the two houses of Israel (the northern kingdom and southern kingdom)\u2014a spiritual picture of Jews and Christians. In this ceremony, the gracious and merciful Creator was demonstrating his acceptance of his people despite their sin. (Take the opportunity to review and discuss Psalm 103, the entire chapter.)<\/p>\n

7 7:19\u201321<\/b>, The peace offering had to be offered in a state of spiritual purity on the part of both the meat and the eater. If either were impure (including impure thoughts on the part of the person making the offering), the offering was disqualified, and the person was even liable to punishment (or being \u201ccut off\u201d from the camp of Israel). What does this teach us about the state of one\u2019s heart versus the religious act itself or about YHVH\u2019s view of hypocrisy? Religious activity is only as meaningful and efficacious as the condition of the individual\u2019s heart doing the service.<\/p>\n

What did Yeshua teach about those who would leave their gift at the altar, but whose hearts were impure due to offence they had with their brother? Did the Father accept such a gift? (See Matt\u202f5:23\u201324.) YHVH says in Hosea 6:6, \u201cFor I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of Elohim more than burnt offerings.\u201d In 1\u2009Corinthians 13, Paul states that all religious activities, head knowledge and spiritual giftedness is meaningless and valueless in the eyes of the Father if not accompanied by a heart of love. Why do you keep YHVH\u2019s Torah-commands? Out of duty and legalism or out of love for and faith in Elohim (see John 14:15,\u200921,\u200923; 15:10; 1\u2009John 2:3; 5:2)? When you offer up your religious service to YHVH (i.e., praise and worship, devotions, Torah-obedience, good deeds to others, etc.), do you have impure thoughts of bitterness, anger, or resentment against your neighbor? If so, repent and allow YHVH\u2019s love to cleanse your heart so that you can offer up a pure, undefiled and acceptable sacrifice to him.<\/p>\n

8 7:23<\/b>, Not eat any fat.<\/i> How was the organ fat of the ox, sheep and goats to be used in the sacrificial service? (See Lev 7:30\u201331.) The organ fat was given to YHVH as part of the burnt offering (Lev 1:3), the peace offering (Lev 3:3\u20134), the sin offering (Lev 4:8\u201310,\u200919). Fat<\/i> is the Hebrew word cheleb<\/i>\/CKJ meaning \u201cfat of humans or animals\u201d or metaphorically, \u201cthe choicest, best part, or abundance of the land.\u201d Therefore, the fat as one of the choicest parts of the animal was reserved for sacrifice to YHVH on the altar. By not eating fat, the Israelites in their minds preserved a reverence for YHVH\u2019s altar upon which the fat was offered. To eat the fat was to show irreverence for that best part that belonged to Elohim. What was the penalty for eating the fat? (Read Lev 7:25.)<\/p>\n

9 7:26<\/b>, Not eat any blood.<\/i> YHVH revealed in the Torah that the life of flesh is in the blood (see Lev 17:11). Therefore, the blood symbolizes the whole life of the living being. This is why the blood upon the altar made atonement for the souls of men (Lev 17:11), since it represented and pointed to the shedding of Yeshua\u2019s blood when he sacrificed his life on the cross in atoning for men\u2019s sins. Therefore, respecting the blood is necessary not only because it symbolizes the sanctity of the life of man who was made in the Creator\u2019s image (read Gen 1:26 cp. 9:6), but more importantly, because of the blood of Elohim\u2019s Son that was shed at the cross. Again, what is the spiritual-legal value of the blood with regard to sins of men? (The answer is in Lev 17:11.) For one to eat the blood showed disdain for what the blood typified, thus resulting in what punishment? (Look at Lev 7:27.)<\/p>\n

The blood was to be reserved for the sacrificial service where it was used symbolically to represent \u00adYeshua\u2019s shedding his blood on the cross. The blood of a lamb was put on the door posts to protect men from YHVH\u2019s judgment against sin (Exod 12:7,\u200913). Moses sprinkled the blood of oxen on the people symbolizing their coming into covenantal relationship with YHVH (Exod 24:5\u20138). Additionally, the blood of sacrificed animals was sprinkled throughout the tabernacle, on Aaron and his sons, and all around the altar to sanctify it. All these acts and uses of the blood were illustrative of the unrestricted cleansing power of the blood of Yeshua, which is why YHVH expected his people to treat the blood with a reverence. Those who didn\u2019t evidenced a heart of indifference for the set-apart or kadosh<\/i> things of Elohim\u2014an intolerable offence in the Creator\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

10 7:28\u201334<\/b>, The peace offering was the only offering where the owner participated in the actual ceremony. In the ceremony, both the owner of the animal and the priest took part in this offering with the priest placing his hands under those of the owner who lifted and waved the meat in all four directions of the compass and then lifted and lowered the meat. The purpose of this, according to the Jewish sages, is to teach us that YHVH controls existence everywhere (in all four directions, and in heaven and below the earth). This is also to teach us that we are to be contented with our lot in life and that all is under the Creator\u2019s care and control. What was Paul\u2019s attitude about his station in life? Philippians 4:11\u201313 and 19 says:<\/p>\n

Not that I speak in respect of want, for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Messiah which strengthens me. \u2026 But my Elohim shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Messiah Yeshua.<\/p>\n

What can we learn from Paul? Do you fight your lot in life giving way to coveting, greed, lust, materialism, striving, anguish and discontent? Or do you thank YHVH for what you have, for the rich blessings you have thanks to his grace, then place your cares and desires upon him and let him bring them to fulfillment? (See Pss\u202f37:4\u20137,\u200923\u201325.) Do you go through life with an attitude of ingratitude or gratitude? It\u2019s your choice and you will reap what you sow.<\/p>\n

It is interesting to note that the parts of the animal waved during the peace offering were the breast (housing the heart) and the right thigh (which is the leg representing power and strength). These body parts speak of heart<\/i> and action.<\/i> What does this teach us? Are mere emotions and good intentions without corresponding action acceptable to the Father? On the contrary, is mechanical and legalistic action without a proper heart attitude acceptable? Relate this to Paul\u2019s teaching about the letter of the law killing, but the spirit of the law bringing life (2\u2009Cor 3:6). How does this relate to Yeshua\u2019s discussion with the woman at the well in John\u00a04 where he states that the Father is seeking those who will worship him both<\/i> in spirit and in truth (vv 23\u201324)?<\/p>\n

11 As the laws of the offerings are given, we see the following mentioned: fine flour, olive oil and frankincense (6:15\u2009[8]); burned with fire, unleavened bread (6:17\u2009[10]), repeatedly baked and broken into pieces (6:21\u2009[14]); consecration of and anointing oil on the priests (6:22\u2009[15]; 8:1ff); contamination and koshering (6:27\u2009[20]; 7:19); innards and feet of the sacrificed animal washed in water (8:21); fire offering (7:25) and ritual washing (8:6). What is this all speaking about? It is about set-apartness (holiness) before YHVH. How set-apart or kadosh<\/i> is your life? Be brutally honest. How does YHVH see you in light of what you say, do and think? As we approach the Pesach<\/i> (Passover) season, we must not pass over these questions lightly, but we must examine ourselves to be certain that during the Passover Seder when the time comes to partake of the third Cup of Redemption we are not guilty of drinking it unworthily to our own damnation. (Read 1\u2009Cor 11:27\u201332.)<\/p>\n

12 8:12<\/b>, Anointing oil \u2026 consecrates [Heb. kadash].<\/i> The Hebrew word kadash<\/i>\/Ase signifies the state of something that belongs to the realm of the sacred, and which is set-apart for divine use and has been separated from the sphere of the secular, common or profane. The Bible often uses the term holy<\/i> (meaning \u201cset-apart\u201d) to signify this state of being. The Word of Elohim designates many things as set-apart<\/i>:<\/p>\n