Like so many living through “Sheltering in Place”, our family watches the news. We watch both Canadian news broadcasts and American news broadcasts. When we listen to the American news there are two people, in particular, to whom my family and I stop what we doing and pay close attention: Governor Cuomo of New York and Dr. Fauci. Why? They seem to be the only two experts that speak honestly, that give a clear picture and doesn’t mince words. It’s not that we only listen to Governor Cuomo and Dr. Fauci, we only pay attention to experts. It seems kind of obvious, and it is the advice that we give our children. When unsure of something, get information from someone who knows. Who is someone that knows? Normally we assume that an expert knows or at least knows whatever their expertise is in. If a person has an accounting questioning or needs an accountant, one doesn’t ask a doctor. If one has a medical question or needs a doctor, that person doesn’t see a lawyer. When a person has a halachic question or needs to speak to a Rabbi, well the person should probably not seek an answer from a lawyer, a doctor, an accountant or a businessman. We have been taught to seek out experts. Here in Canada, that attitude has remained essentially true. As a result, there hasn’t been a level of mistrust in institutions that have permeated in America. For the past several years, experts have bee denigrated, dismissed, and ignored by certain elected officials claiming to represent the alienated and the ignored. Certainly, as long as there is no need for an expert is not required to handle a problem, then we don’t need an expert. However, if there is an issue or a problem that requires an expert to analyze the data, develop a test, track data, or discover a vaccine, well, experts in society are actually pretty important.
This week’s Parsha is Tzav. It is also Shabbat HaGadol, the Shabbat that immediately precedes Chag HaPesach, the Passover Festival. Like last week’s Parsha, Parsha Tzav focuses upon KoRBonot (offerings). While last week, we read of God’s commanding Moshe to teach the laws of KoRBonot (offerings) to B’nei Yisroel; this week we read of God commanding Moshe to teach the laws of KoRBonot (offerings) to Aaron and his sons. The Parsha concludes with instructions for Aaron and his sons to remain outside the camp for seven days. These are the seven days required for spiritual and to some degree physical preparation and process required to become an expert. The Priests must remain outside of the camp because they are in the process of purifying themselves for this extremely sacred and vital position, Kohen Gadol.
Besides Moshe, the Kohen Gadol was the most vital role in 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 an offering to God. However, it was the Priest that had to check for blemishes, It was the priest that had to slaughter the animal in a very precise way. It was the priest that had to sprinkle the correct amount of blood in the correct manner. Later on, it was the priest who became the “spiritual advisor” to the king. Unlike any other position, the Priesthood was based upon two requirements: genealogical lineage and training. The position was promised by God to Aaron and his descendants for eternity (or as long as there was a Temple). The focus of the Parsha is entirely upon Aaron and his sons. Tzav et Aharon V’ Et Banav Leimor Zot Torah Ha’Olah Hee - Command Aaron and his sons saying: This is the law of the elevation offering (6:1-2); Zot Torat HaMacheneh Harkreiv Otah Bnei Aharon Lifnei Hashe el Pnei HaMizbeach - this is the law of the meal offering: the sons of Aaron shall bring it before Hashem to the font of the Altar. Lev. 6:7. Zeh Korbon Aharon U’Vanav Asher Yakrivu La’Adoshem God spoke to Moses saying: This is the offering of Aaron and his sons, which each shall offer to Hashem on the day he is inaugurated 6:12-13. Nearly every offering focuses upon the role that the Kohen: checking to make sure that the offering is blemish-free, that the slaughtering is cleanly, that it is done in the correct manner and at the appropriate time. The entire institution of the Korbonot hinges upon the purity and expertise of the Kohen.
Our sages understood the importance of experts and learning from experts. Pirkei Avot Ethics of the Fathers teaches us to Asei Lecha Rav- Find for yourself a Teacher. Knowledgable people teach. people with knowledge teach. As much as the sages understood the importance of experts, of knowledgable people transmitting information, they understood the importance of not paying attention to the Am Ha’Aretz the common lay person. An expert has specific knowledge and wisdom that needs to be transmitted. The Kohen’s expertise allowed B’nei Yisroel to achieve a closer relationship with God. An expert finds a vaccine, an expert understands the severity of a situation before more than 200,000 people in America are infected with the COVID 19 virus. An expert understand how to “push down the curve”. From an expert, we learn facts and truth. Yes, we watch the news and listen to the experts here in Canada and in the U.S. and appreciate their depth of truth and the clarity in which they share their expertise.
Peace,
Rav Yitz
No comments:
Post a Comment