Tzav - 2016

· Vayikra 8:1 “Hashem said to Moshe, take Aharon, along with his sons, the garments, the anointing oil…”

· 8:12 – He poured some of the anointing oil on Aharon’s head and anointed him, to sanctify him.”

· Psalm 133 refers to this:

o Henay ma tov, uma na-im, shevet achim gam yachad.

o How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!

o It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard,

o Running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe.

o It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion.

o For there Hashem bestows His blessing, even life forevermore.

· Moshe had been the temporary Kohain Godol for 7 days while constructing the Mishkan.

· Then Moshe sanctified Aharon, and Aharon became the Kohain Godol.

· Moshe transferred the Kahuna with a full heart, happy to give it over to his brother Aharon

· The Radak comments on the significance of oil being used in this process:

· Oil is smooth and pleasant, a lubricant that prevents friction.

· At the burning bush, Moshe resisted accepting the mantle of leadership that Hashem wanted to confer on him. 

· The Ohr Hachaim explains that this was because Moshe was reluctant to interfere with Aharon’s rights as an older brother.

· Moshe did not want usurp the domain of his brother, and to run the risk of upsetting Aharon.

· Hashem explicitly told Moshe than he did not need to be concerned about upsetting Aharon

· Shemos 4:27:  Hashem said to Aharon, go towards Moshe in the desert. He went and met him at the Mountain of Hashem, and kissed him.

· Shemos 4:14 – (Hashem said to Moshe) Behold Aharon is setting out to meet you, and when he sees you he will rejoice in his heart.

· Rashi: It is not - as you think - that he will resent you for your having reached a high position.  As a result of this, Aharon merited the adornment of the Choshen (with the 12 beautiful stones) which is placed over the heart.

· Shemot 12:1: Hashem said to Moshe and Aharon: …Speak [plural] to the congregation of Israel…

· The Mechilta explains: "Could it be that both of them spoke?… Rather, Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai says: Moshe accorded honor to Aharon and asked him, 'Please teach me.' Aharon, too, accorded honor to Moshe and asked him, 'Please teach me.' (As a result of this mutual respect) The Divine voice would then emerge from between them, as if both of them were speaking."

· This is a crucial lesson for the Jewish people.

· The Jewish people must get together and work out any of their differences.

· Yuma 9b: (This 2000 year old) Golus was caused by Sinas Chinum, causeless hatred.

· Psalm 133:

o How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!

o It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard,

o Running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe.

o It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion.

o For there Hashem bestows His blessing, even life forevermore.

· Mr. Hermon is the highest point in Israel.

· The Radak says:

o Mt. Hermon represents the Majesty of Moshiach

o Mt. Zion – Yerushalayim - the place of the Bais Hamikdosh, represents Kahuna, priesthood.

· Every year the rain and snow that falls on Mt. Hermon, the highest point in Eretz Israel, flows to Yerushalayim and the rest of Yisroel.

· Psam 133 says that this as a metaphor for Moshe anointing Aharon.

· Moshe had been the Kohane Godol for 7 days while building the Mishkon.

· Then Moshe – with a full heart - anointed Aharon with oil and transferred the Kehuna from himself to Aharon,

· Hashem wants us to emulate this beautiful example of brotherhood.

· Hashem wants us to respect and love each other.

· With the resulting Zchus, we will be able to defeat our enemies, and usher in the Geula.