Parasha Tzav
Parasha Tzav צו means command. It also has the meaning when translated to English as order, fiat, decree, edict, imperative, ordinance, prescription, bull, behest, and say-so. You will see it in the Torah many times as Tzivah spelled צוה. This spelling has a limited translation as commanded, he commanded, was commanded, appointed, or ordained.
Now the Zohar - Sulam Commentary tells us that Tzav is idol-worship. This is very difficult for people to understand. How can it be that God is COMMANDING actions that are idol worship? As the Kabbalah explains when one accepts a command, even from God, that person becomes an effect of the person giving the Command. Human beings are not in this world to be an effect. We came to this world to be a cause and not an effect. We came to this world to be a co-creator. The meaning of the term co-creator is to be an actual creator in our own life, within the limitations of the physical world. In other words we can not create life, yet we can be creative in our work or with our families or in ways we help people and do Mitzvot as well as being creative in different aspects of our life.
Returning to the discussion of the Parasha:
This is the only Parasha that has the same number of verses as the gematria of the Name of the Parasha. The gematria of Tzav is 96. The number of verses in the Parasha is 96. The first time a Hebrew word is used in the Torah with the gematria of 96 is the Hebrew word Vayadah וידעו in Genesis 3:7. This word is translated as "and they knew".
Kabbalah teaches us about the non-Sefirot of Daat which is the shoresh for this word Vayadah. Daat is translated as Knowledge. The Kabbalists explain that Daat is the central column or balance point between Chochmah and Binah - Wisdom and Understanding. This is the true meaning of Tzav. It (Tzav) does not mean Command; it means finding the middle point between wisdom and understanding. This is confirmed by the factors in the number 96. 96 is 2 to the 5th power times 3. 3 as we know relates to the three columns - right/sharing; left/receiving; and center/balance. The number 2 relates, among other meanings, to upper and lower, male and female, or cause and effect. The 5th power indicates that this energy appears in all five of the worlds. 96 has the meaning of uniting the dual aspects in all the worlds in all 3 columns of the Tree of Life. This is what happens when YOU choose to follow a Command not because you were commanded but because YOU CHOOSE TO DO THAT ACTION/MITZVAH.
The gematria of Tzivah צוה which is also the word for command as discussed above is 101. You will find one example of many of the use of Tzivah in Leviticus Chapter 7:38. The gematria 101 relates to the Angel Michael and the Sefirah of Chesed or Loving-kindness. The first time a Hebrew word with gematria 101 is used in the Torah is in Genesis 2:10 where the word Yatza יצא means "went out". This teaches that "going out from HaShem" is what happens when one accepts a Command and becomes an effect by performing idol-worship.
Even so, what is the energy - the inner essence of the Parasha of Tzav? In earlier generations people would go up to Jerusalem to be seen "before" HaShem three times per year. They did this for the three Holidays referred to as the Regalim (legs). These Holidays were Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot.
What did people do during these Holidays while they were "on vacation"? They brought Sacrifices like the Pascal Sacrifice and the Chagigah Sacrifice. They also brought the Sacrifices mentioned in Leviticus 7:37. Here is that Verse in Hebrew and also in English:
זאת התורה לעלה למנחה ולחטאת ולאשם ולמלואים ולזבח השלמים
This is the law of the burnt-offering, of the meal-offering, and of the sin-offering, and of the guilt-offering, and of the consecration-offering, and of the sacrifice of peace-offerings;
Here are the meanings taught by the Kabbalists that are similar to last week's discussion.
עלה = Burnt-offering: This offering is an indication of our letting go and letting God. We sacrifice our personal agenda to become closer to HaShem.
מנחה = Meal-offering: This offering was made by poor people who could not afford a more expensive offering. A Mincha offering is flour and grain made into Matzah or unleavened bread. The poor person could not afford to bring an animal so He brought flour and the Cohen made Matzah on the "oven" of the Altar. This offering caused the world to move from the Judgment to Loving-kindness. If you will study the Verses in the Parasha of Tzav dealing with the Mincha Offering you will do more to enhance what has become known as social justice than all of the marches and demonstrations that people are taught to do in our modern world. These Verses are Leviticus Chapter 7 Verses 7 to 11. These verses are available on the Yeshshem website by using the Biblical Inquiry on the right side of each page.
חטאת = Sin-offering: This offering is easy to understand. We all do things that are negative. It is recommended to read the vidui - confessional in Hebrew and in English to help you realize the various mistakes we make. Here is a link to the Vidui in English and Hebrew. The Zohar in Vayikra Section 61 explains that each person who studies the Bible/Tanach along with the Zohar after midnight will be told what is his sin/mistakes in a merciful way. Then it is up to him to do Teshuvah for that action or consciousness. (The Halacha (law) indicates not to study the Bible in Hebrew at night, only the Zohar in Aramaic. We can study the Bible/Torah in English). Remember we make mistakes of commission and omission all the time.
עשם = Guilt-offering: Most of the people in Temple times knew to bring both a sin-offering and a guilt-offering. This is because once you make yourself vulnerable to the negative system by making a mistake you connect to that system and become even more vulnerable to Satan catching you a second time. This is what quilt is all about - you feeling low about yourself for doing a wrong action. The Kabbalah teaches very clearly that when you make a mistake "Be Happy" about your mistake. Do every action you do (good or bad) with joy and happiness. If later you realize that the action was a mistake make sure you remain happy about your action. Remember we learn from our mistakes and have the opportunity to change and grow spiritually. Also remember if something happens in the physical world it is considered part of the Plan of Creation. Mistakes mean that the process becomes a longer and more chaotic path; yet while you remain happy you shorten that back to being close in length/time to the path it would have been if you had made the other choice. Today the guilt-offering is to study the Hebrew Verse above (Leviticvus 7:37) from the Torah. The Kabbalists explain that this verse, by bringing the word Torah, is explaining that Torah study is equivalent to any and all sacrifices. Let me repeat this as it is very important: Torah Study is better than any or all sacrifices. Just read the verse and you will begin to understand.
מלואים = Consecration-offering: These are brought by the Priests on the day they become consecrated as Priests. It is recommended that each Child of Israel read these verses each day since they (each Child of Israel) are a Priest to the Nations and may be called upon to become a Priest each and every day. The Verses are: Leviticus Chapter 6 Verses 12 to 16.
שלמים = Peace-offerings: Peace-offerings are brought due to feelings of thanksgiving. What are you thankful for? What ever it is you can read Leviticus Chapter 7 Verses 11 to 21 to express your sacrifice. It is better to read these after midnight but any time is ok. This year the actual Peace sacrifice is to read Samuel Beit Chapter 7 Verse 10 as we do each day whenever we say the Ana Bekoach. This action is changing each one who does it in a merciful and loving manner, as mentioned above. As each person changes, the balance of the world changes. When someone becomes more peaceful (by reading the verse in Samuel) the world moves toward PEACE.
Before we discuss the true inner essence of this Parasha let us mention two special connections in the Parasha. One is the small Mem in the word Mokdah מוקדה in Verse 6:2. Mokdah comes from the Hebrew shoresh that means focus. It is translated in this verse as "remains on the altar hearth". The small Mem is teaching us to keep our actions related to the fire of the altar - connected to HaShem.
The second item which is a true inner essence of the Parasha is the Verse Leviticus 8:7. This verse ends with the word Bo which means come. When we finish reading the word Bo we have reached the middle of the Torah in Verses. When ever we connect to the energy of "middle" we connect to the Central column of the Tree of Life. In this case the two verses 7 and 8 are referring to Moshe, Aaron, the Ephod, the Urim and Thumim (8th Verse). Moshe represents Daat or Knowledge, please see above. Aaron represents Loving Kindness as the Priest. The Ephod covers Aaron's Chest - his body's central column. The Urim represents the 42 letter Name of God used in Creation as taught by the Kabbalists. The Thumim represents the 72 Names of God, also taught by the Kabbalists. It is recommended that there be a long stop in the reading for a long meditation on these concepts associated with the Central Column.
The inner essence of this Parasha is Mind Over Matter. Let me explain how that can be understood in a practical way. The people during Temple times came to the Temple (see above) as discussed above. They came as recommended because HaShem knew that the majority of the people were not capable of remaining connected to HaShem without a physical connection through the Temple and its sacrifices. After the Temple was destroyed the Sages explained about the Verse in Leviticus 7:37 as explained above. The Sages explained that this verse teaches that Torah study is equivalent to all sacrifices and can be a substitute for the Temple Sacrifices. We live in a time where we are able to connect to a consciousness where we do not have to be physically close to HaShem (like being in the Temple) to make our connection.
We have teachings from the Kabbalists that when the Mashiach comes The Land of Israel will expand to include the Whole World. What this is saying is that the energy of the Land of Israel can be brought to anybody wherever they are in the world.
We live in a technological age where we use video conferencing like oovoo and skype every day. We do not have to be close to someone to connect to their energy. I have students who use the psychic system of connection. They send messages through their higher selves to other people who are close to them who then receive that message through their own higher self. These communication systems are real and available. This is the energy of Parasha Tzav. Mind Over Matter where we can connect to someone's energy anywhere in the world.
I have personally experienced this communication system while I studied with Rabbi Berg of the Kabbalah Center. The Rav was in New York. He was naming a baby who was physically in Los Angeles - 3000 miles away. In my mind I heard that the baby's name was Esther. This was on Shabbat when phones were not used in the Kabbalah Center. Motzei Shabbat I asked the father in Los Angeles the baby's Name and I was told Esther. These psychic systems will be made available soon to those willing to cleanse and change themselves. Are you willing to prepare yourself? Are you willing to use these systems now with your loved ones; your business associates; your distant associates? Contact me by phone or email to set up these classes for you.
Donating a � Shekel
Here is a link to a fuller Kabbalistic discussion than I have revealed before. It includes a fuller discussion about money from the Talmud and Zohar.
Link is at www.yeshshem.com/kabbalah-shekalim.htm.
I wrote this earlier but there is a new expanded section on this page, towards the bottom.
Shabbat Zachor
Shabbat Zachor is unique. It is the only Shabbat reading that the Halacha tells us "must" be heard by every single man women and child. That is very strong language.
