"The Wood River Jewish Community is a gathering place that strives to perpetuate
Jewish tradition through worship, fellowship and learning. Founded in 1976, we seek to provide a welcoming and caring community in the Wood River Valley
March 20, 2018
PARSHA OF THE WEEK
Tzav ("Command")
Leviticus 6:1 - 8:36
God instructs Moses to command the High Priest, or Kohen, Aaron, and his sons regarding their duties and rights as kohanim who offer the korbanot (animal and grain offerings) in the Sanctuary. The fire on the altar must be kept burning at all times. Many of the laws of the korbanot that were explained in last week's Torah portion, Vayikra, are repeated here, this time to specifically instruct the Kohen what to do. The "recipe" for the sacrifices are very specific, including the where and when the meal is to be eaten after it has been ritually burned, the blood has been dashed about or the food has been mixed with grain and fragrant spices. Only the ritually pure could consume the meals.
After donning all their ritual clothing outlined in great detail earlier in the Torah, Aaron and his sons remain within the Sanctuary compound for seven days, and Moses officially initiates them into the priesthood and dedicates the Sanctuary.
The concept of mishmarot ("watches") for duty was based on one of the last verses in Tzav: "and you shall remain at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting day and night for seven days, keeping the Lords' charge" (Leviticus 8:35). Adult males - ordinary Israelites - were placed at the Temple and each had a responsibility: reciting prayers during sacrificial rites; assisting the priests and Levites; or reading the congregation "recipe" or the Torah portions relating to the sacrifices being offered in Jerusalem. This way, every Jewish man, regardless of wealth or status, had the opportunity to participate, directly or indirectly, in the sacrificial rights
And finally, a notable mitzvah in Tzav is that we must not eat blood - it must be drained from meat before it is consumed. "You must not consume any blood, either of bird or of animal, in any of your settlements." (Leviticus 7:26) Nachmanides, a medieval commentator, made the point that blood is sacred because it contains the soul given by God, and therefore should not be eaten. Kosher meat is salted to remove all blood.
Rabbi Cantor Robbi Sherwin
rabbirobbi@wrjc.org
1-512-947-7270
More Torah Learning:
Double Torah Portions! Why do we have them?
Regarding reading from two different Torah portions last week, here is a brief explanation: In the Diaspora (outside of Israel) during a regular (non-leap) Jewish year, as in this current year of 5778, there are several instances where two of the weekly Torah portions are read together in the same week. This is because there are not enough weeks to read all of the 54 portions separately (especially because we do not read a weekly portion during Shabbat of Pesach or Sukkot). The
Parshiyot (portions) that are sometimes doubled are: Vayakhel-Pekudei (March 17), Tazria-Metzora (April 21) Acharei Mot-Kedoshim (April 29), Behar-Bechukotai (May 12). In years to come, there are other doubles, which include Chukat-Balak, Matot-Masai, Nitzavim-Vayelech.
Why were those specific portions chosen for doubling? The Parshiyot selected are more connected in content than the others and generally share a theme. It is a combination of calendar years, holiday observances and math that determine which readings are doubled, and the rules and readings are different in Israel. If you are interested in more, here is are two links that might be helpful (get ready for a lot of math!) http://bit.ly/2HRriTHand http://bit.ly/2Gb2CIq
ASK THE RABBI
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I have several, including baking (which I used to do professionally). I love to hike and explore in the mountains, as well as ride horses. But, by far, my most unusual hobby is that I collect pictures of myself at universitie
s. Some folks collect magnets or shot glasses, postcards or hats from their travels - I take photos of myself at colleges. I have over 150 college photos from several countries. I have some rules: it has to be taken at the main entrance to the school (or the oldest sign); I try to visit the bookstore; and I need to walk the campus. I got my first Idaho photo at Boise State (thanks, Juli Roos, for taking me there!) and plan to visit all the Idaho colleges.
Honor a special occasion, express sympathy, remember a loved one, or simply say "Thank You" with a donation to a WRJC fund of your choice.
JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
Oscar and Fran Michael in honor of Penny Leopold's birthday
SUPPORT PASSOVER
Susan Blair
JEWISH LIFE
Fred and Eileen Prager in memory of Leonard Carmel, Father of Eileen and Linda Cohen
WHERE NEEDED MOST FUNDS
David Kaye and Judy Teller Kaye in memory of Estelle Teller
David Kaye and Judy Teller Kaye wishing a good recovery to Paul Wolff
CELEBRATION OF THE WEEK
ANNIVERSARY
Marshall and Judy Meyer
BIRTHDAYS
Caren Frankel
Neville Rich
Ray Ann Kremer
CARING COMMITTEE
MARGERY FRIEDLANDER is our March caring leader.
mgfriedlander@gmail.com
208-788-0837
YARZHEITS OF THE WEEK
A Yahrzeit donation allows you to honor the memory of the special people in your life. Your gift will memorialize
your loved one during the anniversary of his or her passing.
Annette Dobbs, Mother of Cathy Dobbs Goldstein
Betty Fenster, Mother of Marilyn Schwartz
Cheryl Hall, Sister of Darryl Hall
Richard Louis Kasak, Brother of Susan Reinstein
Marion Smooke, Mother of Richard Smooke
Sybil Winograd, Mother of Julie Weil
LEAVING A LEGACY
To discuss leaving a legacy and providing support to our Wood River Jewish Community in perpetuity, please feel free to call 208-726-1183 or email claudie@wrjc.org to arrange a private and confidential meeting.
BOOK CLUB
BOOK FOR March: Angels in the Sky by Robert Gandt
Please call Dora at 726-7441 or
doralevin@cox.net for more information.
If you want to read more about our organization, please go to our website wrjc.org.
Sincerely,
Claudie Goldstein
Executive Director/Director of Development
