March 27, 2026 – Dr. Susanna Kokkonen
Tzav
Leviticus 6:1-8:36; Jeremiah 7:21-28; 9:22-23
Tzav, the name of this Torah portion “command” refers to God telling Moses to command Aaron and his sons regarding the offerings.
“Give Aaron and his sons this command…” (Leviticus 6:9 NIV)
Priestly Service
The instructions God commanded Moses to pass on were specific and detailed. In the text we can see that they extend themselves to the offerings themselves, the priestly garments, and the fire on the altar.
“The priest shall then put on his linen clothes, with linen undergarments next to his body, and shall remove the ashes of the burnt offering that the fire has consumed on the altar and place them beside the altar.
Then he is to take off these clothes and put on others, and carry the ashes outside the camp to a place that is ceremonially clean.” (Leviticus 6: 10-11 NIV)
“The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out…” (Leviticus 6:12 NIV)
Priests’ Due
An important principle is that of the portion preserved for the priests themselves. God was the priests’ portion which meant that they were to have their share of the offerings.
“The priest shall burn the fat on the altar, but the breast belongs to Aaron and his sons. You are to give the right thigh of your fellowship offerings to the priest as a contribution. The son of Aaron who offers the blood and the fat of the fellowship offering shall have the right thigh as his share. From the fellowship offerings of the Israelites, I have taken the breast that is waved and the thigh that is presented and have given them to Aaron the priest and
his sons as their perpetual share from the Israelites.” (Leviticus 7:31-34 NIV)
New Testament’s View
The same way that the priests were to live of their work in priestly service, the New Testament commands that those who preach should be able to live of it.
“In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.” (1. Cor. 9:14 NIV)
Consecration
Everything for the service needed to be separate and holy. Everything was consecrated including the priests.
“Then Moses brought Aaron and his sons forward and washed them with water. He put the tunic on Aaron, tied the sash around him, clothed him with the robe and put the ephod on him. He also fastened the ephod with a decorative waistband, which he tied around him. He placed the breastpiece on him and put the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece. Then he placed the turban on Aaron’s head and set the gold plate, the sacred emblem, on the front of it, as the LORD commanded Moses. Then Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and everything in it, and so consecrated them.” (Leviticus 8:6-10 NIV)
A Prophetic Command
The priests and their every aspect of service is important to God. There are the form and the details of the function. However, in the prophetic portion from Jeremiah we learn that there is much more to serving God well.
“For when I brought your ancestors out of Egypt and spoke to them, I did not just give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices, but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you. (Jeremiah 7:22-23 NIV)
Obedience and its Price
There are many ways to walk in obedience. One of the stories we tell at the Holocaust Garden of Hope is that of a diplomat and a deep Catholic believer Aristides de Sousa Mendes (1885-1954), who was Portugal’s Consul General in Bordeaux, France.
Germans had entered France in May 1940. Desperate Jewish refugees were trying to flee the German occupation. They needed visas. The only border that could potentially be crossed was that of Spain and Portugal.
De Sousa Mendes decided to help them despite his government’s orders. This happened in an improvised manner and rumors about his actions soon reached the authorities in his country. Furious, they made him return to Portugal. He lost his position and his good name.
De Sousa Mendes died in 1954 unrecognized and unable to support his family of thirteen children. But famously he said: “If so many Jews can suffer for one Christian, surely one Christian can suffer for so many Jews.”
*For an explanation of the terms see the first The Torah Portion Blog.
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
Genesis 1:3 NIV
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Psalm 119:105 NIV
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
Isaiah 60:1 NIV
…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 NIV
Torah Scrolls were attacked and desecrated during the Holocaust. The enduring images of the Kristallnacht (November 9-10,1938) are those of synagogues on fire and Torah Scrolls burning. Some of these desecrated Torah Scrolls disappeared, others were buried. Some were lovingly rescued and are on display in museums in various locations.
Dr. Susanna Kokkonen received her Ph.D. in Holocaust Studies from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. For ten years Dr. Kokkonen was the Director of the Christian Friends of Yad Vashem, World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem. Dr. Kokkonen has authored several books about the Holocaust and antisemitism. She educates Christian audiences worldwide including about the Jewish roots of their faith. Dr. Kokkonen is the author of the exhibits for the Holocaust Garden of Hope and serves the Holocaust Remembrance Association as Educational Advisor.
