Parashat Tzav 5783 – Shabbat HaGadol – Yom HaAliyah

by Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields

The name of our Torah Reading this week, Parashat Tzav, means Command. Tzav is the root of the word Mitzvah – commandment. How often do people think about being commanded these days? Do people just think about the Ten Commandments – or are most cognizant that we actually have 613 commandments, mitzvot. Many do know that 613 is a significant number in Judaism. However, we are not able to fulfill all 613 commandments, because many are related to sacrifices, which we no longer have, since we do not have a Tabernacle or Holy Temple in Jerusalem. However, we still read about the sacrifices, many of which are spoken about in Parashat Tzav. How many commandments do you fulfill each day?  Do you feel commanded? How can one fulfill the commandments in a modern day society, where we do not have sacrifices? May we be strong and courageous as we fulfill mitzvot every day! Chazak v’Ematz – Be Strong and Courageous!