Vayyaggesh et par hachattat, vayyismoch Aharon uvanav et yedeihem al rosh par hachattat. Vayishchat, vayikach Moshe et hadam, vayitten al karnot hamizbeach saviv be’etzba’o, vayechatte et hamizbeach; ve’et hadam yatzak el yesod hamizbeach, vayekaddeshehu lechaper alav. Vayikkach et kol hachelev asher al hakkerev, ve’et yoteret hakkaved, ve’et shtei hakelayot ve’et chelbehen, vayakter Moshe hamizbechah. Ve’et hapar ve’et oro ve’et besaro ve’et pirsho saraf ba’esh michutz lammachaneh ka’asher tzivah Adonai et Moshe. Vayakrev et eil ha’olah, vayyismechu Aharon uvanav et yedeihem al rosh haeil. Vayishchat, vayizrok Moshe et hadam al hamizbeach saviv. Ve’et haeil nittach lintachav, vayakter Moshe et harosh ve’et hanetachim ve’et happader. Ve’et hakkerev ve’et hakera’ayim rachatz bammayim, vayakter Moshe et kol haeil hamizbechah, olah hu lerei’ach nicho’ach isheh hu laAdonai, ka’asher tzivah Adonai et Moshe.
The Offerings That Educate the Heart: Moses’ Role in the Inaugural Sin and Burnt Offerings
Parashat Tzav – Fifth Aliyah
This aliyah presents a powerful and delicate moment: Moshe Rabbeinu — not a kohen — brings the offerings for the inauguration of Aaron and his sons.
The occasion is majestic, yet intimate: a moment bridging sin and correction, the meticulous ritual of the offering — and its power of atonement.
🐂 The Sin Offering – Atonement and Holiness
“And he brought near the bull of the sin offering…”
The first stage is the Chatat — the sin offering. Because before one begins spiritual work, the soul must be cleansed of past burdens.
🔍 What’s done with the blood?
Moshe takes the blood and places it on the horns of the altar, circles it around the base, and finally pours it onto the foundation — the spiritual root of the human being.
🗝️ This carries deep symbolism:
Sin damages our foundation — atonement rebuilds our connection with God.
Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch writes:
“The horns of the altar are the signs of closeness; the foundation — the ground of life. Repair must reach the very root of existence.”
🔥 And the flesh?
Moshe burns the chelev — the inner fats, symbolizing hidden desires — on the altar.
The rest of the animal is burned outside the camp.
🧯 Why?
To teach that while sin can be atoned for — the “remains” must be removed.
True atonement isn’t only about bringing an offering — it’s about changing the space, the thought patterns, the habits of the heart.
🐏 The Ram for the Burnt Offering – Elevating the Whole Person
After the sin offering comes the ram — a burnt offering, wholly consumed on the altar.
“And he washed the inner organs and the legs in water…”
Even the inner parts — the most hidden and “messy” — must be washed and brought to the altar.
👁️ The message?
To be an Olah — an elevated person — one must purify even the inside.
It’s not enough to look good — the unseen must also be cleansed.
This is a powerful educational principle:
There is no true spiritual growth without inner cleansing.
🌬️ The Fire of the Offering – A Fire of Refinement
“It is a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma to Hashem.”
This phrase — “a pleasing aroma” — repeats often.
But it doesn’t refer to physical scent.
It describes a wholehearted, sincere, pure will — and that’s what pleases God.
Ibn Ezra writes:
“Nichoach (pleasing) comes from the word for calmness or satisfaction. Nothing brings God greater joy than a genuine correction of the heart.”
🎯 In summary – Three Core Principles from This Aliyah:
- Atonement precedes elevation – You can’t build a new house without clearing the old.
- Inner comes before outer – Purify the innermost parts, not just the visible ones.
- Every detail matters – From the blood, to the altar’s horns, to its foundation — sacrificial service is full of meaning.
💡 A Life Lesson:
🔔 Even though we no longer bring physical offerings, we offer our time, our energy, our thoughts, and our intention.
Every moment of sanctification — is a small offering.
And every process of change — begins with awareness, purification, and sacrifice.
The verses teach us:
🕊️ Begin with atonement, rise through the fire, and emerge anew — a person refined, cleansed, and whole.
