Monday, March 18, 2013
Parshat Tzav
Vayikra
6:1 – 8:36
12 Nissan 5773 / March 22-23, 2013
12 Nissan 5773 / March 22-23, 2013
SPRING BREAK!
by Rabbi
Dan Horwitz,
Director
of Immersive Learning
In this
week’s portion, Tzav, we continue to learn about the responsibilities given to
the ancient priests, with particular focus on certain offerings, as well as
what the priests were permitted to eat. We also find the formal
inauguration of Aaron (Moses’s brother) and Aaron’s sons as the nation’s priests. In
an elaborate ceremony, complete with anointing, sacrifices, and a 7-day party,
the Israelites distinguished a separate priestly class to preside over their
interactions with the Divine.
What would
it be like to have a 7-day party as an entire nation today?
The
closest event I can think of is Spring Break, which while indeed a huge party
(for many), is far from something that the entire nation participates in.
Granted,
there were likely fewer than 3 million total Israelites at the time, while in
the United States, there are more than 300 million people.
Granted
also, that the Israelites were wandering in the desert at the time, and didn’t
exactly have to worry about working or losing their jobs the way many would
today.
In the
United States, what one might assume would be our greatest cause for annual
celebration, Independence Day, is limited to a single date on the
calendar. This year, it falls in the middle of the week on Thursday,
so there won’t even be a long built-in holiday weekend!
Given our
clear shortage of celebratory time, let me propose a weeklong annual
celebration, for Jews and anyone else looking for a good excuse to party as
well: Passover.
Recognizing
our liberation from slavery and the solidification of our identity as a nation
by receiving the Torah, not to mention that the holiday falls during the spring
when the weather is starting to improve, seems a perfect excuse for a weeklong
party.
Amazingly,
the holiday already lasts over a week in the U.S.! For 8 days every
year, we have the privilege of celebrating our freedom (drinking a bit more
wine than usual), recognizing our ability to help liberate those who are still
enslaved around the world, and spending time with loved ones. Could there be a
better party? The fact that the Exodus narrative is one that
resonates with people from all backgrounds just makes the party even larger!
There is a
tradition that 30 days before Passover begins (Purim!) you start studying the
various Passover-specific requirements. We’re well into that window now, with
Passover only a few days away.
This
Shabbat, continue planning your ultimate Passover party.
Who are
you going to invite?
How long
will you celebrate?
What are
you going to do together both to celebrate your own freedom and help free those
still enchained?
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