Gratitude

Tzav

Lev. 6:1-8:36

 

Précis: The parasha begins with Adonai ordering Moses to command (“tzav”) Aaron and his sons concerning offerings. Requirements for the daily offerings, directions for the meal offerings, instructions for guilt-offerings and thanksgiving offerings are described. The parasha then describes the initial offerings of the Tabernacle made by Aaron and his sons following their consecration to priestly service by Moses. 

 

Lev. 7:11-12 “This is the ritual of sacrifice of well-being that one may offer Adonai. If he offers it for thanksgiving, he shall offer together with the sacrifice of thanksgiving: unleavened cakes with oil mixed in…”

            As I have noted before, this sacrifice is one which is simply one of gratitude. While traditional rabbinic thought suggested that it was to be offered after a dangerous journey, upon recovery from an illness, after being freed from imprisonment, or surviving other dangers, I think it is one which rejects a focus on the perils or evils we face, but instead reminds us to be grateful for what we have. For each of us, what to be grateful for may be different: it may be security, love, health, or simply enjoyment of God’s gifts to us of the beauty of Creation.

            Particularly as we begin to emerge from the pandemic of Covid, a time of great stress to all of us, we need to be grateful for what we have, and for having overcome one of the greatest dangers we have faced in our lifetimes. While we acknowledge with regret those who have been lost or who have suffered, we can be grateful to the scientists who developed vaccines and treatments to mitigate the effects of the virus, to medical personnel who have valiantly cared for those stricken with the disease, to our clergy who have provided comfort, and to those elected leaders who have provided assistance to those in most need. While we cannot ignore the problems the world faces, let’s be grateful for what we do have, and be grateful for what could lie ahead for all of us.

            This week, having just returned from a trip to California to see my son Ben (joined by Abby, and my daughter Liz and her boyfriend Dave), in South Lake Tahoe (and skiing for the first time in 20 years!), I am particularly grateful for the continuing love of my family.