Welcome to The Inner Circle? Tzav

For Kohens-Priestly descendants- the Torah Portion Tzav may be riveting. For commoners, Tzav, a section full of priestly sacrificial instructions and intricacies, is less so. Many find it a painful read.

For millennia, the Book of Leviticus- which includes Tzav- has exposed outsiders to the Israelite cult’s affairs. Tzav even takes readers to the inner sanctum. It describes a guilt offering’s particular location, “It is the holy of holies.” Leviticus 7:2.

Looking at the Torah from a retroactive mindset, Leviticus represents transparency. Rabbi David Wolpe offers this perspective. The Pentateuch has nothing to hide.

From a pre-Torah publication point of view, Leviticus presents differently. Leviticus comes across as a preserved text. Parts of Leviticus may well have sat on a First Temple’s library shelf.

The fact that we have the Book of Leviticus has implications. Those gathering the Torah’s material had access to a significant body of Israelite literature. Thus, beyond the notion of retrospective transparency, there is also a sense of completeness.

Admittedly, the Torah is not complete with respect to one perspective. The Torah references materials which have most likely been lost in antiquity. The Books of Jasher and The Wars of the Lord are the two sources referenced within the Torah.

Conclusion

Thus, while listening or reading Tzav, one might think that this is too much information, we should actually be thankful. There is some legitimate sense of confidence as to the text’s totality. This realization enlightens us as to the true nature and extent of the Israelite scripture.

Be well!!

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