Tzav: Chapter 20

Burning of holy things

Synopsis

This section tells us that when the children of Yisrael are in trouble they are saved for Isaac's sake; the ashes of Isaac rise before God, and therefore the sacrifice needs to be burned to ashes. We hear of the three fires to the candle, white, black and blue, corresponding to the priests, Levites and children of Yisrael. Blue is the judgment that eats sacrifices and burnt offerings. A person should repent before he dies, when the angel Michael who is the High Priest ritually slaughters him. We hear of how the Nefesh, the Ruach and the Neshamah are affected at death. One should concentrate his thoughts on saying a confession and accept death with one heart. Then we hear of the qualities of the priest, and how wisdom and mercy are essential qualities of the learned scholar, who rules over his own body and over his bestial Nefesh, Ruach and Neshamah. Since he is righteous, God does not reward him for his good deeds; he is poor, but is constantly with the Shechinah, who provides for Zeir Anpin through the prayers of Yisrael. We learn of the four reasons that Aaron's sons died.