Pearls of Rashi – Parshas Tzav

Click here for a printable PDF.

This week we read the Torah portion of Tzav. In it, we find that “he shall then take off his garments and put on other garments, and he shall take out the ashes to a clean place outside the camp.” This is stated regarding the removal of the pile of ashes that accumulated on the altar. These ashes were the remnants of the sacrifices which were offered daily on the altar.

Rashi cites the words “he shall then take off his garments,” and explains as follows. “This is not an obligation, but rather it is the proper manner to conduct oneself. When taking out the ashes, he should not soil the garments in which he regularly officiates. A servant should not wear the same clothing while cooking food for his master as he does when he mixes a glass of wine for his master. Therefore, the Torah continues ‘and put on other garments,’ inferior to those priestly vestments, Bigdai Kehunah, which he had been wearing until now.”

Upon further reflection, something is not understood here. Each person is created differently. We all have our talents with which we must serve the Creator. It is not only the clothing that must be changed. The servant should be changed, as well. One who is suited to work in the kitchen is not necessarily suited to pour the king’s wine, and vice versa.

We can explain this in the following manner. Why is it that the same servant who pours wine would not get involved in the kitchen? Because it does not suit him. He feels that working in the kitchen would be beneath him.

However, this is only true of a human servant who has a human master. It does not apply to serving the Almighty. We must view every facet of Divine service equally. The Sages said this as follows. “One must not weigh and measure the Divine commandments … the (seemingly) least significant … and the (seemingly) most significant … shall all be (considered) equal.”

By performing all Mitzvos equally, without exception, may we all merit an “Exodus” from our current exile through our righteous Moshiach now!

I am wishing one and all a happy and kosher Pesach!

Rabbi Shmuel Mendelsohn

Adapted from Likkutei Sichos Volume 37, Beginning with Page 5

לזכות חיילי “צבאות השם” חיים ועדן עודד שיחיו מאריס 

נדפס ע”י הוריהם הרה”ת ר’ מנחם מענדל וזוגתו מרת חי’ מושקא שיחיו מאריס 

מוקדש לזכות כ”ק אדמו”ר נשיא דורנו מליובאוויטש