Some Questions to Ponder:
His
Eminence’s commentary on 1 Tsefet (Peter) 3:1-7. The 49 days of the the
Sabbaths of consolation was particularly relevant to some research that I have
been casually doing for several years. I was also reminded of the importance of
marital harmony for the achievement of closeness to HaShem.
P40
For the high priest to offer a meal offering daily
P64 The procedure for the sin offering
P65 The procedure for the guilt offering
P66 The procedure for the peace offering
P90 To burn the flesh of a sacrifice that has
become unclean
P91 To burn the flesh of a sacrifice that has
been left over
N129 That a person who is unclean shall not eat
consecrated food
N130 Not to eat consecrated foods that have become
unclean.
N132 Not to eat the abomination of intended delay
N138
Not to eat the priest's meal offering
N139 Not to eat the flesh of sin offerings brought
inside
N184 Not to eat blood,
N185 Not to eat suet, as it is written
A.
Laws of the oblation offerings for Aaron and sons
B.
Laws of the sin offering
C.
Laws of the trespass offering
D.
The Laws of Sanctified victims
E.
Prohibition against eating fat
F.
Prohibition against eating blood
G.
Laws of the Hallowed Sacrifice or (Wave offering)
H.
Benefits of Consecration of Aaron and his sons
Why
the offering of Aaron and his sons? Why/How does it belong to them?
THIS
IS THE OFFERING OF AARON AND HIS SONS –
What offering was to be offered and was it different from other offerings
made by the priesthood; if so, why?
IF
HE IS BRINGING IT AS A THANKSGIVING OFFERING – what proceedings represent the
need for bringing of a thank offering?
HE
SHALL OFFER, ALONG WITH THE THANKSGIVING OFFERING – what all must be included
with the “thank Offering.”
SCALDED
FLOUR - what is scalded flour?
And
the flesh of his thanksgiving peace-offering- What offerings are included in
this and what is the time limit of when they can be eaten?
shall
be eaten on the day it is offered up- Does this time limit also include eating
the bread?
he
shall not leave any of it over until morning- Why is their a saying by the
sages that limit the eating only till midnight?
What
flesh?
Why
mention the flesh a second time?
Why
specify that only the “clean” may eat?
Why
only anyone who is clean?
Vayikra
5:1 opens with “if a soul sins” indicating that the following verses will tell
us how the sinning soul is redeemed and repentance is incurred. The “waving” of Vayikra 7:30 caries the idea
of being lifted up. The Korban is an
offering that “brings near.” The
“tenufah” indicates “to be high” or “to be lifted.” This would indicate that the “soul which
sinned” had been expiated.
With
the special Ashlamatah we have in Verse 40; 1-26 the starting words of
“Console, console My people,” says your God. With this verse it lays the
foundation of the tone of the rest of Isaiah chapter 40 in which HaShem makes
things easier for his people and shows a separation from the nations,
signifying a return to the favor of HaShem.
Isaiah
40:1 says: NACHAMU! NACHAMU! (according to the accent) Note that repetition
causes emphasis. The keyword is ‘strengthen’ (Nachamu), normally translated as
‘comfort’. The Latin root of ‘ comfort’ is: Comfortis
Com = Intense
Fortis =
fortify – Strengthen
1
Tsefet 3:7 also gives us a hint. The strengthening of a husband by his wife is
a key clue that can be discerned once we understand the meaning of ‘comfort’.
In
the Torah we see the ordination of the priests or a wave offering. These are
both designed to strengthen the people. This is a recurring connection between
all of our readings.
The verbal tally between the Torah and the Psalm is:
Israel - ישראל, Strong’s number 03478.
Vayikra (Leviticus) 7:23 Speak unto the children of Israel
<03478>, saying, Ye shall eat no manner of fat, of ox, or of sheep, or of
goat.
Tehillim (Palms) 76:1 «To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song of
Asaph.» In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel
<03478>.
Thematically,
The Torah and the Psalm both speak about national (Israel) consolation after mourning.
The Torah teaches His people how to strengthening our relationship with HaShem
and the Psalm tells us, explicitly, how HaShem will react to our national mourning
as we faithfully adhere to these commands.
The verbal tallies between the Torah and the Ashlamata of Malachi
are:
Mincha - מנחה, Strong’s number 04503.
HaShem – יהוה, Strong’s number 03068.
Vayikra (Leviticus) 6:14 And this is the law of the meat offering
<04503>: the sons of Aaron shall offer it before the LORD
<03068>, before the altar.
Malachi 3:4
Then shall the offering <04503> of Judah and Jerusalem be
pleasant unto the LORD <03068>, as in the days of old, and as in
former years.
Thematically,
the Torah teaches us HaShem’s statutes and the importance of the mincha
offering, while Malachi tells us HaShem’s reactions to our faithful obedience
to these seemingly minor statutes.
The verbal tallies between the Torah and the Ashlamata of Isaiah
are:
People - עם, Strong’s number 05971.
Vayikra (Leviticus) 7:20 But the soul that eateth of the flesh of the sacrifice of
peace offerings, that pertain unto the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him,
even that soul shall be cut off from his people <05971>.
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 40:1 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people
<05971>, saith your God.
Thematically,
The Torah teaches His people ‘what’ to do, while Isaiah speaks to HaShem’s
reaction when His people perform these commands with the proper attitude. This
Ashlamata also speaks to the transition between a priesthood of the Levites and
the priesthood of the whole Jewish people.
The
Torah Seder speaks of the anointing (elevation and separation) of the
Kohanim. These priests are the ministers
of G-d’s house. The household manager is
often the woman of the house. She is
here elevated through her righteous conduct and unwavering hope in G-d like
Sarah.
In
Hakham Tsefet the woman is stout-hearted
so to speak which matches (Psalm 76:6) however, she is also never afraid
1 Tsefet 3:1
The
woman of Hakham Tsefet’s pericope wins the heart of a man and brings him to
repentance. 1 Tsefet 3:2 In Malachi 3:7
G-d calls for the repentance of those who have departed from the Torah like the
man won to repentance by the a virtuous woman 1 Tsefet 3:1
The
great strengthening of Isaiah is found in the hope we have in HaShem. A household is comforted (strengthened) by
Shalom Bayit. This is the result of both
a G-dly woman and man working in harmonious perfection.
By
building one’s relationship with his spouse through obedience to HaShem’s
commands.
He
stresses the family structure – the behaviour of spouses toward each other,
because now the home has become the Temple.
In
Vayikra 6:12-13 HaShem speaks of the anointing of the Kohanim. This anointing is a setting apart and
elevating for Divine service the Aaronic Priesthood. In Vayikra 7:38 the
“millu” offering which is called the “ordination offering.” The Millu offering and the anointing of the
Kohanim are interrelated to the work and office of the Kohanim.
Vayikra
6:12/13 speaks of the oblation of the priest at his inauguration while 7:38 is
a summation of all of the oblations.
Be
diligent to perform even the minor mitzvot as these are the key to strengthening
our relationship with HaShem and achieving His consolation.