Like so many millions of people; I have continue watching the horrible tragedy that unfolds in Japan. As I watch I am struck by the orderliness by which the Japanese people try to search for survivors, get food, medecine and shelter to the homeless and deal with the nuclear reactors. Despite the chaos from the earthquake, the tsunami and the potential of a nuclear melt down, Japanese society remains extremely orderly and authority and the information from that authority remains unquestionably sacrosanct. When the most recent natural disaster occurred in North America, Hurricane Katrina, the American press and populace questioned everything that the government said and did. The American press, and public expressed very little faith in information that came from government sources. As I continued watching the scenes of devastation in Japan unfold, I was reminded of the first time I visited Japan with my grandfather approximately twenty five years ago. During winter break of my third year of college, my grandfather and I traveled to the Far East. He had business in Hong Kong and Tokyo.He thought it would be an excellent educational opportunity for me. It was. Besides, he figured out a way to write me off as a tax deduction. Anyway, while in Tokyo he met with the corporate directors of a company that he had been dealing with for fifteen years. He had a very close relationship with the owner and all the big shots in this Japanese sportswear company. My grandfather was older than the company owner, and older than anyone on the board of directors of that company. In fact my grandfather was always the oldest one in the room. Perhaps because of his age, his experience, or his wisdom, the Japanese spoke to my grandfather with such reverence. They spoke to me about my grandfather in words of awe and respect. They paid such close attention to his words. I was incredibly impressed because this was a side of my grandfather that I had never seen. I joked with my grandfather that as impressed as I was with the esteem in which he was held; it was hard for me to accept. After all this was the same man whom my grandmother “hocked” to sit up straight, straighten his tie, don't play with the silverware and to throw out the garbage. While he ignored much of the "hocking"; and he would throw out the garbage.
This week’s Parsha is Tzav. Again, the focus is upon Korbonot (sacrifices). While last week we read of God’s commanding Moshe to tell Aaron and his sons; this week we read of Moshe transmitting the information and commandments to Aaron and his sons. This week we read about the actual sacrificing, the actual sprinkling, the actual burning and the actual donning of appropriate clothing. The Parshah concludes with instructions for Aaron and his sons to remain outside of the camp for seven days. These are the seven days required for preparation. The Kohen Gadol, the (HighPriest) must remain outside of the camp because he is in the process of purifying himself for this extremely sacred and vital position.
Besides Moshe, the Kohen Gadol was the most vital role within Israelite society. It was the Kohen Gadol that served as a vehicle for the common person to draw closer to God. When the common person, or the king needed to atone, they would bring a sacrifice to God. However it was the Priest that had to check for blemishes. It was the priest who would slaughter the animal in a very precise way. It was the priest that had to sprinkle the blood. Later on it was the priest who became the “spiritual advisor” to the king. Unlike any other position, the priesthood was based upon lineage and was promised by God to Aaron for eternity (or as long as there was a Temple). Yet as important as this was for the welfare of B’nai Yisroel’s relationship to God, the Priest was eternally reminded of the importance of humility within a leader. V’hotzi et a Hadeshen el Michutz La’Machaneh el Makom Tahor-“and he shall bring the ashes to the outside of the camp, to pure place (Lev 6:4).” Here is arguably the most important position within the community and he has to shlep the ashes out of the Mishkan. What’s even more amazing is what the Talmudic tractate Yoma teaches. The priests were so anxious to take out the ashes, that a lottery system had to be introduced to pacify all those who wanted this “honor”. Anyone could have been commanded to take out the ashes. Why the Kohanim (the Priests)? Like all other aspects of the sacrificial process, the priests’ sole concern was the Temple and everything about the Temple. No task was below the priest. No aspect of the Temple remained untouched or unaffected by the Priest.
So what can we learn from Parsha Tzav, and the Priest’s most menial of tasks? First we learn just how vital it is for leadership, of any kind, to roll of its shirtsleeves and do some of the dirty work. After all, if leadership is unwilling to “to get dirty” for a greater or nobler cause, then how great can the "cause" possibly be? Also if the leadership is unwilling “to get dirty”, why should anyone else “get dirty”. Last week we read that the sacrifices pertain to everyone, regardless of status, wealth, or knowledge. This week, we learn that effective leadership is not only about convincing others to act, it is about one’s observance of the same rule. No matter how important we think we are, we are not so important that we cannot take out the ashes. We need humility in order to remind us of where we fit in, and who we are. Possessing this humility gives us credibility when dealing with anyone. Possessing this humility reminds us of how we should treat others as well as how we wish to be treated. So, after Shabbat, we shouldn’t forget to take out the garbage. It’s good for us.
Peace,
Rav Yitz
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