Tzav

Hi,

This week's portion is Tzav (pron. tsahv).

Tzav begins where last week's portion halted, describing the services for three types of offerings to be brought in the Tabernacle:

1. Olah ("burnt offering") - Such offerings, which included personal voluntary offerings as well as communal daily offerings, were burnt entirely on the altar.

2. Chatat ("sin offering") and Asham ("guilt offering") - Parts of these offerings would go on the altar, and parts would be eaten by the Kohanim.

3. Shelamim ("whole offering" or "peace offering") - Parts were put on the altar, parts were eaten by the Kohanim, and parts were eaten by the owners of the offering.

Various types of offerings could be brought using grain flour, instead of animals; such an offering was called a Minchah. Flour was processed, and then the Kohen separated a fistful of flour using a method called Kemitzah. He then put that flour on the altar, and the rest was eaten.

The portion then describes the seven-day procedure for dedication of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). The Kohanim were dressed in their uniforms of service, and then the Mishkan was annointed with a special, spiced olive oil. The Kohanim were then annointed with that same type of oil, and their special offerings were brought.

Have a great day and a happy Purim,
Mordechai