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This week’s Parshah, Tzav, continues where last week’s left off. It discusses sacrifices brought in the Mishkan, the Holy Temple, and those which will be brought in the Third Temple.
One of the offerings our Torah Portion discusses is a Thanksgiving Offering. The Torah tells us that[1] “If he is bringing it as a thanksgiving offering …”
Rashi quotes the words “If he is bringing it as a thanksgiving-offering, and explains “if (he is bringing it) to give thanks (to Hashem) for a miracle that had happened to him. For example, those who made a sea-voyage, journeyed in the desert, had been imprisoned, or a sick person who recovered.”
Rashi is telling us four events for which one must bring this offering, thereby giving thanks to Hashem; one who survives a sea-voyage, a journey in the desert, prison, or sickness. Rashi is very precise. We need to understand why Rashi lists these four occurrences in this particular order.
All four of these happened to the Jews throughout their forty years in the wilderness. Each took place in the order in which Rashi listed them.
Our ancestors began their forty-year trek through the desert by making a “sea-voyage,” i.e., traveling through the Red Sea. This started their “journey through the desert.” After this journey began, Hashem decreed that we would remain in the desert for forty years. We were locked in “prison.” It was only after traversing the desert forty years that it was clear that not one of the Jews became a “sick person.”
Each one of us experiences the many journeys of the Jewish Nation throughout our lifetimes. Hashem is constantly guarding us, protecting us from all of the pitfalls surrounding us. Hashem should give us the insight to recognize His providence and to thank Him for each moment. These moments are all bringing us closer to entering the “Promised Land” with the coming of Moshiach Now.
I wish one and all a good Shabbos and a Kosher and Happy Pesach!
Rabbi Shmuel Mendelsohn
Adapted from Likkutei Sichos Volume 12, Page20
DEDICATED IN HONOR OF THE LUBAVITCHER REBBE
מוקדש לזכות כ”ק אדמו”ר נשיא דורנו מליובאוויטש
IN HONOR OF
The Soldiers of Tzivos Hashem Chaim and Aiden Oded שיחיו Morris
DEDICATED BY THEIR PARENTS
Rabbi & Mrs. Menachem M. and Chaya Mushka שיחיו Morris
לזכות
חיילי “צבאות השם” חיים ועדן עודד שיחיו מאריס
נדפס ע”י הוריהם
הרה”ת ר’ מנחם מענדל וזוגתו מרת חי’ מושקא שיחיו מאריס
DEDICATED BY MR. RAZIEL שיחי’ GATES
[1]. Our Parshah, Vayikroh 7:12.
The Rebbe Teaches Rashi 