Parshas Tzav

This week’s Parsha is called, Parshas Tzav. We continue to learn about the Korbanos (offerings) and more of their details. This week we learn specifically, where the Korbanos were brought in the Mishkan (tabernacle). By the Korban Chatas we learn only that it was brought near where the Korban Oleh was brought. The Korban Chatas was brought by a person (Jewish) that did an avairah (sin) so, this was the sin offering.

HaRav Mordechai Katz Zt”l writes in his sefer, a beautiful explanation for why the Korban Chatas was near the Korban Oleh. He says that Hashem is coming to teach us the tremendous lesson of not embarrassing others. By placing the Korban Chatas the Korban brought by those who sinned, with other korbanos it was very difficult for others to distinguish between those bringing a Korban oleh and Chatas. This way it would not be so embarrassing for the person bringing a Korban to atone for a sin.

There is a well -known story about Rabbi Akiva Eiger zt”l how he demonstrated the importance to not embarrass another. Rabbi Akiva Eiger once invited a man to his home for Shabbos on a Friday night and at the meal this man accidentally spilled wine on the beautiful table cloth. Very embarrassed he picked up his glass. Rabbi Akiva Eiger then “accidentally” knocked his cup over. The man felt very relieved. Rabbi Akiva Eiger picked up his cup and said “It seems as if the table or floor is shaking, doesn’t it?” J What a beautiful sensitivity he showed for his guest.

It says in the Midrash Eliahu 42 “you can only kill a man once; but when you shame him you can kill him many times over.”

 

May we all learn from this week’s Parsha to never embarrass our fellow Jew! -Amen!

HAVE A GREAT SHABBOS, WEEKEND, AND PURIM!

Stay tuned for next week’s Parsha called, Parshas Shemini.