Miller's Musings Parshas Tzav: Deep Undercover

בס''ד

Urgency and alacrity with regard to Mitzvos is something that is always preferred, but not necessarily something that is specifically mandated by the Torah.  With regard to the Korban Olah, the offering consumed in its entirety on the altar, the Torah uses the word צַו to connote that this particular instruction required this kind of prompting for it to be done swiftly and with enthusiasm.  Rashi tells us that here it was specifically required because there was an element of “חסרון כיס” a monetary loss, since none of the offering was eaten by the one who brought it.  This phrase has been mulled over in many commentaries to ascertain what it was precisely that required an urging for the kind of zeal needed here.

This world has been created in a way in which the inherent holiness of all within it has been concealed.  The Chidushei Harim in answering our question tells us that the holier something is the more concealment is required.  In fact the entire existence of something of great sanctity is contingent on it being hidden.  Its true essence cannot be exposed to external revelation and doing so would jeopardize its continuation. The phrase “חסרון כיס” can refer, as we said, to a loss of money, but it can also be translated as a lack of a covering.  A sacrifice that was partially given to the owner to eat, had its true value and holiness obscured by an outward appearance of being a meal.  The burnt offering however did not have this ‘covering’ as it was totally incinerated. This open revelation of its true nature meant that, as previously explained, it had to be performed as rapidly as possible in order to protect it while uncovered. 

Some Mitzvos naturally provide the rationale for their observance.  One can easily fathom, for example, the intrinsic goodness and benefit of charity.  Others are more difficult to extract meaning from and may lead us to question their purpose and our performance of them.  But being that Mitzvos are acts that are fundamentally holy, we must realise and internalise the fact that we may never fully appreciate the greatness that lies within them. There is always a ‘covering’, be it a cloud of uncertainty as to their function, or a seeming logic that is truly only the most rudimentary and superficial understanding of their true reality.  This is how they were created and how they continue to exist.  The key is in recognising that as gifts from Hashem they create worlds and develop connections with Him in ways we will never fully understand but must always try to be aware of, helping us to fulfil His will for our good.    

*May we appreciate the depth of this Shabbos and its true holiness*

לעילוי נשמת לאה בת אברהם 

לעילוי נשמת שרה יעל בת גרשון

לרפואת אלימלך יהושע אהרון בן דבורה רבקה