This week’s portion is Vayikra, Parasha Tzav, Leviticus 6:1 – 8:36. It is a continuation of Moshe speaking about the offering and korbanot (badly translated as sacrifices). Tzav also tells of how Moshe was instructed to set apart Aaron and his sons in the sanctuary for HaShem’s service. The people learned the ways of the Sanctuary. A commonality to offerings and sacrifices is only with fire on the altar is an offering or sacrifice complete. In fact a constant fire on the altar that would not be extinguished was a requirement for an offering or sacrifice to be valid and complete.

Aaron and his sons had seven days to continually be before and connect to The Holy One, Blessed be He. There is a proper way to express ourselves before HaShem with kavannah.  Having the proper intent coming before God, or kavannah, is acknowledging who I am and who the Holy One, Blessed be He is, having time or space set apart, and being focused.  Coming before, and expressing ourselves before HaShem properly is essential to our connection to the Most High.

Seven is a symbol for completion, association with HaShem, the covenant of holiness and all that was holy or set apart for the Most High. These concepts are what Aaron and his sons experienced during the seven days. They ritually completed for seven days what was instructed and were set apart for HaShem’s work in the Sanctuary.

During Pesach we have eight days. Eight symbolizes new beginnings. The Haggadah, which is the Exodus story, brings us to the point of re-experiencing Pesach each year. The Most High will lead us through our own exodus to a new beginning if we are sensitive and observant to HaShem work in our lives. The time set apart, the altar with offerings and sacrifices, and the continual fire are inseparable to the experience of Aaron and his sons and their association with the Most High.

The opportunity to connect to HaShem, as the Hebrew people did, is available to us. We do not have a physical altar or fire. We can bring our offering and sacrifices in prayer and action to HaShem today. Our heart is the altar prepared for connection to HaShem. The fire is our love for the Holy One, Blessed be He. Love is more than feeling. It is the behaviors, or observing and guarding mitzvot (commandments) that supports connection to God and feeds our inward flame and externally demonstrates our love for the Most High simultaneously.

What is HaShem asking you to leave on the altar? Is it an experience in your life, an offering, or a sacrifice? Pesach is an opportune time to acknowledge the Most High’s work of exodus in your own life. The Jewish holy days are not remembrances. Instead these times are set apart experience in our lives the power, mercy redemption, connection (Hitbodedut), and new beginning that the Hebrew people in Vayikra knew in the Exodus.

Chag Sameach Pesach! May you have a Happy Festival of Passover!

Ruth Etalka