Parasha Tzav – Year 2 – Set-apartness in Worship.
Shabbat Shalom, Nazarene family.
This week we will study the parasha Tzav, portion of year 2, we will continue studying the instructions for peace offerings, a type of voluntary sacrifice offered as an expression of gratitude, fulfillment of vows or thanksgiving. We will see how these sacrifices are to be prepared and offered, establishing regulations as to which parts of the animal are to be consumed, burned on the altar, or given to the priests. It also specifies the time limit for consuming the meat of the sacrifice giving us to understand the importance of purity. In the study of this portion we will learn about the relationship between the worshipper, the community and Yahweh Elohim in the context of Israelite worship
Vayiqra (Leviticus) 7:37-38
37 This is the law of the burnt offering, the grain offering, the sin offering, the trespass offering, the consecrations, and the sacrifice of the peace offering,
38 which Yahweh commanded Moshe [Moses] on Mount Sinai, on the day when He commanded the children of Israel to offer their offerings to Yahweh in the Wilderness of Sinai.
This week corresponds to the reading of the texts (in bold):
- Vayiqra (Leviticus) 6:1-7:10 / 7:11-38 / 8:1-36
- Malachi 3:1-12 / 3:13-18 / 4
- Mattityahu (Matthew) 25:1-13 / 25:14-30 / 25:31-46
Summary of the weekly study, Year two:
Vayiqra (Leviticus) 7:11-38
These verses detail the instructions on peace offerings, which include thanksgiving offerings, vows and freewill offerings. These offerings express gratitude to Yahweh and establish a bond between the worshiper, the community and Yahweh. The passage regulates the preparation, consumption and distribution of the sacrificial portions, noting that part is burned on the altar, some is given to the priests and the rest is consumed within a specific time frame. Here we can learn about the importance of purity in participating in these rituals, reflecting the set-apartness required in the worship of Yahweh.
Malachi 3:13-18
In these verses Israel is confronted for their arrogant words against Yahweh, where some questioned the value of serving Elohim, seeing that the wicked prospered. Yahweh responds by promising to distinguish between the righteous and the wicked. In the “day of Yahweh”, He will reward those who fear Him and honor His name, considering them as His “special treasure”. These will be preserved and protected, while the wicked will face judgment. We can learn about Yahweh’s faithfulness by seeing that He keeps His promises and the importance of persevering in faith, trusting that He sees and rewards righteousness.
Mattityahu (Matthew) 25:14-30
In these verses, called the Parable of the Talents, we are taught about responsibility and faithfulness in the use of the gifts that Yahweh has given us. In the parable, a master entrusts different amounts of money (“talents”) to his servants before going on a journey. The first two servants invest and double what they receive, but the third, out of fear, buries his talent. Upon returning, the master rewards the faithful servants and punishes the one who did nothing. This portion teaches us about the importance of using well what Yahweh has entrusted to us, being diligent and productive in our work for His kingdom.
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Enjoy this fun activity with the whole family. Inside you will find development questions for the three weekly sections (Torah, Haftarah and Brit Chadashah). While the older ones discuss the questions and their answers, the younger ones can color the picture related to the teaching, solve a maze, find the 7 differences and much more. We encourage you to do it week by week and instill in your children the habit of studying Yahweh’s word as a family.
We hope you and especially your sons and daughters enjoy this effort. For it is through the study of the Scriptures that we can come to understand the love and care that Yahweh has always had for us. And also to perceive that He has been taking care of even the smallest detail, so that we can take care and enjoy all that He gives us. That is why it is so important that our children learn and grow up knowing that they are loved by the Creator of all that exists.
Shalom.
