Tzav

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Tzav

"And these are the instructions for the peace-offerings which one

may offer to Hashem. If as a 'Todah' {Thanksgiving Offering}

he will offer it, then he shall bring with the sacrifice, cakes of

matzo mixed with oil… [7:10-12]"

This weeks torah portion, Tzav tells us of the different sacrifices and the detailed laws and procedures pertaining to each of the offerings. The daily procedure of removing the Altar ashes at the start of the Temple service each morning and stoking the fire were preliminaries before slaughter of the daily

sacrifice and burning of its parts on the Altar. Among the many sacrifices described in Parshat Tzav is

the Thanksgiving Offering which is described as one of the sacrifices of well-being .This is also known

as the “Korban Todah” or the "Korban Shlamim". (Leviticus 7:12)

This ritual is still symbolized today as what some commentators believe is a direct outgrowth of the Thanksgiving offering. It is called the “Birkat ha Gomel”. The Shulchan Aruch (code of Jewish law)

explains that the Gomel blessing should be recited aloud before 10 people and is a powerful way to affirm faith in God and to express our gratitude for recovery from a critical illness or from being spared from

a dangerous situation or perilous journey.The words of the Gomel blessing help us articulate our sincere appreciation to G-d and our acknowledgement of Him as our Creator.

The laws of Korbanot remind the Jew that without a spirit of sacrifice

and dedication little can be achieved. The tefillah (prayer) takes the

place of sacrifices. The Korbon Todah (upon which the Modim section

of the Amidah prayer is based) is a powerful statement of gratitude

that demonstrates the recognition that we have only Hashem to thank

for our deliverance. Thanksgiving is one of the most important and

central themes in Judaism. Infact, children are taught from a very young

age that the first words they should utter upon awakening in the morning

“Modeh Ani Lefanecha”

“I thankyou G-d “,an expression of gratitude for another day of life. We also should thank Hashem

regularly by doing the many mitzvot which as Jews we are accustomed to: giving Tzedaka, thanking our parents, washing our hands prior to eating bread, kissing the mezuzah upon walking into or leaving a

room, a man who wears tefillin, or a woman who lights the Shabbat candles. There are many rituals that

we can do inorder that we preserve the continued spirit of sacrifice and dedication ,that are symbolized

in the laws of “Korbanot” .

Rabbi Akiba expressed this thought by saying

“Tradition is a fence that safeguards the Torah”(Ethics 3:17)

These rituals and traditions guard our torah and assure its continued existence.

More specifically we are told that there are a number of laws that apply to the Korbon Todah.

The Talmud teaches that ten loaves were brought from each of the four types of bread that the passuk (verse) [7:12-13] mentions. Furthermore, whereas one has a two-day period to consume a regular Korbon Shlomim (Peace Offering), the Korbon Todah (Thanksgiving Offering) and its forty loaves

must be completely eaten on the same day it is brought.

The Biblical commentator Abravanel suggests that since it must be consumed in a single day, the one who offered the sacrifice would invite more people to share it, thus publicizing the miracle to others as well

as allowing others to share in the gratitude. The N'tziv writes that this expansive obligation to bring

forty loaves of bread on one hand, and, at the same time, the diminished one-day time period

within which it must be eaten, forces a person to invite a large number of people to share this seudah

(festive meal). This then lends to the purpose of this Korbon Todah-the public proclamation and voicing

of gratitude to Hashem for all that He has done for us; be it gratitude to God for one’s well-being or for deliverance from something troubling.

In the journeys of our own lives, we all have our difficult stretches, and painful challenges. Sometimes,

we may find it takes all our energies just to cope with what life throws at us, and we cannot even begin to think about thankfullness. When we view gratitude as somehow dependant upon a the receipt of a specific gift, we will inevitably come to regard it as an emotion that is dependent upon how grateful we happen to

feel at that particular time. It is important to offer thanks not only when we truly feel blessed but as Ramban has pointed out rendering thanks to G-d is a daily duty. A Tzav (command)..We need to

recognize that all happens to us individually or collectively is miraculous. “Thank G-d!" is a statement

we need to learn to say more often out loud so all can hear, it shows happiness and appreciation for all

that Hashem has granted us, and we thereby sanctify His name. By training ourselves to greet each day

in the spirit of gratitude –and not just when we feel we need to ask G-d for help is to understand the

true meaning of the Thanksgiving Offering.

So thankyou G-d for granting me another day of health in this world, for the gifts of beautiful miracles

like my children and grandchildren, and for this moment of sharing portionofparsha with you.

Shabbat Shalom,

Miriam

Eating may serve as a means of celebrating, as in the case of the TODAH-Thanksgiving offering. The

parsha is teaching us to eat with the intention of remembering the sacrificial offering to G-d so that we

can be elevated every day .The blessings we make before and after eating serve us to focus upon this intention. As Jews since we are required to thank Hashem daily, every shabbos is like “Thanksgiving”.

So a meal fit for a crowd is in order as symbolic of this parsha.

I also would be remiss if I didn’t mention that at sundown this Thursday evening we begin the celebration

of Purim! And as we will be reading in the Megilla , we need to appreciate G-ds guiding hand with

happiness and thanksgiving and continue to serve him, in good health and happiness

“LaYehudim Hayta Ora VeSimcha VeSasson Veyekar”

What better meal for a crowd then a turkey ( or in this case a Turkey Breast)

1 turkey breast

3 onions

2 tbl. Olive oil

¼ cup chicken broth

¼ cup Dijon mustard

½ cup honey

¼ cup white wine

3 tbsp. soy sauce

1/3 cup garlic herb dressing (parve brand )

Can marinate turkey breast overnight for a really

outstanding taste, with all the rest of the ingredients

or if don’t have time preheat oven to 350 degrees

Sauté onions in olive oil and place turkey breast on

top of bed of onions and add a little bit of chicken broth

Mix all the rest of the ingredients and pour over turkey breast, cover and bake about 2 ½ hours uncover

the last 15 minutes to brown.

Guacamole

6-8 ripe avocados (depending upon the size)

3 tomatillos, chopped

2-3 ripe red tomatoes, seeded, chopped

1 small red or sweet onion, diced fine

6 cloves garlic, chopped

1-2 jalapeno peppers, seeded, diced fine

1 big bunch fresh cilantro, chopped

Sea salt, to taste

2-4 fresh juicy limes

Peel and pit the avocados; cut the fruit into chunks and toss into a large bowl. Add the chopped tomatillos, tomatoes, onion, garlic, jalapeno, and cilantro. Toss with your bare hands. Season with

sea salt to taste. Squeeze fresh lime juice all over the guac and mix again. Add more salt or

lime, to taste.

How about serving a bread pudding - Remember the parsha -40 loaves of bread!

Bread pudding with Grand Marnier

2 cups old bread (I use leftover challah)

2 cups non-dairy creamer

3 eggs beaten

2 egg whites, stiffly beaten

½ stick margarine

½ cup brown sugar

½ cup white sugar

1 teas. grated lemon rind

1 teas. Grated orange rind

1 teas. Vanilla extract

½ cup raisins

2 tbl. Grand marnier liquor

Warm non-dairy and pour over dried bread. Combine beaten eggs, sugars, lemon and orange rinds, vanilla, raisins, and grand marnier.

Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites. Pour into a well greased casserole and bake in a pan of water,(only about 1 inch water in pan) in a 350 degree oven for 1 hour or more until set. Serves 6 Amazing!

PURIM!

Mix together the milk, eggs,sugar, margarine, and grated lemon peel.Mix in baking powder and 2 cups of flour. Slowly add in more four.(may need more than 2 1/2 cups total)

until dough comes away from the sides of the bowl easily and can roll and stretch.. Roll dough on floured

board to about 1/4 in. thick. Cut dough with overturned glass of desired size and place teaspoon of filling

in center. Fold sides in and pinch into triangle shape. Bake on greased cookie sheet for 15-20 min. or

until light brown. Enjoy! Purim Same'ach!

Shabbat Shalom!.