Finding “Ten Commandments’ Moments” within each and every weekly Torah Portion is challenging. Cubits, genealogies and the instructions for priestly sacrifices offer impediments. The Portion Tzav ironically is one involving priestly sacrifice.
Tzav discusses burnt offerings, sin offerings, and peace offerings in much detail. Is there a connection between these sacrifices and the Ten Commandments? The Ten Commandments’ uniqueness is that they offer no penalties or directions on either the administration of justice as well as penalties. Rather, other parts of the Torah provide guidance.
An argument can be made that the sacrificial component established a multi-tract moral/legal system. In modern times, we have both criminal and civil justice systems. In a case of murder, the State, aka the People, has an interest in punishing the guilty. The individuals’ wronged, i.e. family members, civily can seek compensation as tortfeasors. In modern times, however, societies operate without a moral code.
In the times of sacrifices, Israelite society arguably included a deity-morality tract. One’s morality was connected to a personal relationship with the Lord. Certain matters were addressed via certain offerings.
Tzav lays out of variety of sacrifices. The burnt offering was described as one in which the proceeds burned throughout the night. Leviticus 6:6, 6:15. This is connected to an eternal light. As such, it connects to the covenant and its eternal nature. There are two sacrifices with the same purpose: sin and guilt. The sin offering’s purpose included atonement. Leviticus 6:23; the same is for the guilt. Leviticus 7:7 Finally, the peace offering is also addressed. It uniquely has a subset The peace offering, Leviticus 7:11, includes a thanksgiving offering 7:12. According to Rashi, the thanksgiving offering relates to “miracle” events such as safe passage on a trip or recovering from illness.
Thus, the sacrificial acts is part of a two-tract system for addressing matters. Individuals, via sacrifice, maintained their relationship with God while a separate system addressed interpersonal relationships within humanity. Those having committed acts of “guilt” or “sin” may also have had obligations to perform acts of justice in order to resolve them, i.e. compensation.
In conclusion, Tzav acts as a reminder that the God of Israel has an interest in each and every human transaction. Specifically, human-to-human wrongdoing is as much within the Deity’s interest as much as a Sabbath observance violation. Thus, while many break down the Decalogue into two groups- offenses against God, and offense against fellow Humans- the Master of the Universe has an overarching interest in each one.
Be well!!
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