April 19, 2025: Torah Portion Parashat Tzav

In this study, we will explore the Torah Portion Tzav - "Command!"

Torah Portion: Leviticus 6:8-8:36
Haftarah: Jeremiah 7:21-8:3; Jeremiah 9:22-24
Brit Chadashah (New Testament): Hebrews 7:23-8:6

Torah Portion Parashat Tzav - "Command!"

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Parashat Tzav - "Command!"

Parashat Tzav continues God's instruction to Moses regarding the laws of korbanot (sacrifices), the animal and meal offerings at the Mishkan (tabernacle).

Many of the laws of the sacrifices are repeated from last week's Parashah Vayikra, though this time Moses addresses the kohanim (priests) directly and additional details are provided.

For example, the priests were to ensure that the fire of the altar never went out and that the whole burnt offering (olah) was consumed as it burned throughout the night.

Additional rules concerning the removal of ashes from the altar, the portion of the offerings that were given to the priests, and the cleansing of utensils were also given.

The Parashat begins:

"The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the law of the burnt offering. The burnt offering shall be on the hearth on the altar all night until the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it."

Leviticus 6:8-9

The command to keep the altar fire burning constantly in this Torah Portion, holds deep significance, pointing to the ongoing presence of ADONAI in our lives. The fire represents God's presence, His judgment, and His willingness to forgive, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of YESHUA for us on the tree of sacrifice.

1. God's Presence and Covenant:

The fire on the altar symbolized God's dwelling among His people.
It reminded them of God's covenant and His faithfulness.
The continuous burning highlighted the ongoing nature of God's relationship with His people.

2. Sacrifice and Atonement:

There are five types of sacrifices that are discussed in this Parashat, with the fire consuming most of them: 1) Olah - An "ascending offering": This was a freewill sacrifice that was consumed entirely by the fire on the altar. 2) Minchah - "Meal offering": This was a nedavah (freewill or gift) offering of flour (prepared with fine flour, olive oil and frankincense), usually brought by a person of modest means. Part of the meal offering is burned on the altar, and the remaining part is eaten by the kohanim (the word "mincha" means gift). 3) Shelamim - "peace offering": This was a nedavah (freewill) offering (eaten by the one bringing it) given as a way of expressing thanks to God on joyous occasions. 4) Chatat - "sin offering": This was a chovah (required) offering to make atonement for certain sins committed unintentionally by an individual (by the High Priest, the entire community, the king, or the ordinary Jew) 5) Asham - "guilt offering": This was a chovah (required) offering as part of the penitence required for certain improper acts (e.g., retaining another's property by swearing falsely).
This sacrifice represented atonement for sin and the restoration of relationship with ADONAI.
However, it's important to note that these sacrifices were temporary and needed to be repeated. YESHUA, as the ultimate sacrifice, provided a once-for-all atonement, fulfilling the symbolism of the altar fire.

3. Fire as a Symbol of God's Nature:

Fire is often used in scripture to represent God's power, holiness, and judgment.
Exodus 13:21, "By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night." The pillar of fire provided both guidance and protection, illustrating God's constant presence with His people.
The fire on the altar served as a reminder of God's righteous nature and His desire for holiness in His people. "Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy." Leviticus 19:2

4. Prophetic Fulfillment:

The constant burning of the altar fire prefigured the continuous need for prayer and worship, ultimately culminating in the worship of YESHUA.
YESHUA is the perfect Lamb who was slain for us. And it's only through Him that we can have access to the Father.
"YESHUA answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Now, speaking of sacrifice, this past Sunday, April 13th, 2025 was Day 1 of the Omer.

Omer in Hebrew means "Sheaf". It refers to the sheaf that was waved in the Temple, one day after the first day of Pesach, in Leviticus 23:9-14.

This day is called Yom Ha'Bikkurim "The Day of Firstfruits". On this day, the sheaf (omer) of barley (the first grain crop to ripen) was waved before the LORD in a prescribed manner, to mark the start of the counting of the Omer. We are to count from the day the sheaf was waved until the Feast of Shavuot, 50 days later. That’s why this period is called “Counting the Omer.”

In other words, on this day the priest would wave a sheaf (Omer) of green barley before the LORD as a symbolic sacrifice of dedicating the coming harvest to Him.

On Pesach, a sacrifice was to be made of a perfect unblemished lamb called the Korban. YESHUA was on the cross exactly at this time, when the korban was being sacrificed during the Feast!

YESHUA rose from the dead on the 1st day of the week, after being in the tomb three days and three nights (Matt 12:40). The disciples then encountered the risen Yeshua on the Sunday morning (Matt 28:1-10), which is the First Day of the waving of the Omer, Yom Ha'Bikkurim "The Day of Firstfruits"!

Yeshua’s resurrection was like a “wave offering” presented before the Father as the "firstfruits" of the harvest to come! Moreover, Yeshua presented His firstfruits offering to the Father on this day:

"...and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Yeshua’s resurrection and went into the Holy City and appeared to many people." Matthew 27:52-53

Yeshua offered to the Father the “early crops” of what will be an overwhelming harvest at the End Of The Age (Acharit Ha'Yamim)!

One thing is very clear in the Bible: Easter is NO WHERE in the Scriptures. But the resurrection of Yeshua is—on the Feast of Firstfruits!

The name “Easter” comes from Ishtar, a pagan goddess associated with fertility, symbols like eggs and rabbits, and springtime rituals that have nothing to do with the resurrection of Messiah.

But the truth?

Yeshua rose on the biblical Feast of Firstfruits—a day established by God in the Torah (Leviticus 23). You can learn more about the Feast in this article: "YESHUA THE FIRSTFRUITS OFFERING!"

This isn’t about legalism. It’s about TRUTH!

Let’s honor what Scripture says—not traditions rooted in compromise.

Yeshua fulfilled the Spring Feasts with perfect timing:

Passover – His sacrifice.
Unleavened Bread – His sinless body laid in the grave.
Firstfruits – His resurrection and victory over death.

It’s time to come out of Babylon and return to the ancient paths!

"This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls." Jeremiah 6:16

After these laws were given, God instructed Moses to consecrate Aaron and his sons for their service in the priesthood. This involved washing them with water, arraying them in the priestly garments, and anointing them with holy oil.

During the ordination ceremony, a sin offering and burnt offering were slaughtered on behalf of the priests, and then a special “ram of ordination” was slaughtered.

Some of this ram’s blood was put on the right ear, right thumb, and big toe of the priests, and the rest was sprinkled around the altar.

The sacrifice was then “waved” before the LORD and its meat was eaten with unleavened bread at the entrance to the Mishkan. Aaron and his sons were thereafter required to remain within the Mishkan for seven days and nights until their period of consecration was complete.

We must remember that we too are called priests! We are part of the royal priesthood, belonging to ADONAI! This means we too are to be set apart unto holiness and godliness, being obedient to the Command of the LORD, in this special mission He has given us of declaring His praises:

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9

Now is the perfect opportunity to sing praises to the Lamb, with Elihana's brand new song she just released: "WORTHY IS THE LAMB" [RAUI SEH HA'ELOHIM]

WORTHY IS THE LAMB WHO WAS SLAIN

To receive GLORY, HONOR, POWER, and STRENGTH!

Forever and ever! 🔥

Let this song awaken worship in your heart! Let the Lion of Judah ROAR over your life!

Let the Lamb of God BE GLORIFIED!

RAUI SEH HA'ELOHIM (Worthy is the Lamb of YAH)!