Parshas Tsav continues the discussion of the the sacrifices. It starts by saying, “This is the Torah of the burnt offering“, (Leviticus 6:2). Torah in Hebrew means instruction and the Torah of Moshe is a book of instructions about how to lead a good life. Its use here suggests that these are also important instructions.
The instructions here are of an extremely mundane topic, specifically about disposing of the ashes of a sacrifice that have been consumed by the fire on the altar. The ashes are shoveled off the altar and put into a container. This is to be done while wearing the uniform of a simple priest. Before leaving the Temple grounds the Cohen changes into a fresh set of clothes. The ashes are then taken into a clean place outside the Israelite camp. It's all a lesson in cleaning up a mess after a religious observance and properly taking out the garbage.
One may think that such lowly dirty work would not be in the province of a dignified position like a priest. Also concerning giving an expensive gift to show total dedication to the holy One, blessed be He, cleaning up the ashes would not be worthy of mention. It is seen here that ordinary cleanliness is important to the Chumash. There are many other similar situations for example washing of the hands and feet, cleaning the menorah, bathing, and laundering clothes. The Talmud and religious authorities through the ages discuss mikvahs for washing the body and kitchen utensils.
The Mishna in tractate Pesachim 5:8 (laws of Passover) tells how the cohanim would clean up the area of the Temple that was used to slaughter the sacrifices. They did it during the regular week and on the holy Shabbos day. However, the sages did not approve of the Shabbos clean up. Rabbi Ovadia from Bartenura adds that there was a little stream that flowed in the Temple courtyard and when they wanted to rinse the area they would put a stopper in the disposal pipe. The floor would then become flooded, after which they would remove the plug, and all the filth would go down the drain.
This is like the mitzvah that chametz should not be found on Pesach. Because of this one’s home should be thoroughly cleaned in anticipation of the holiday. Chametz also means stale or even rotten. As a result Pesach cleaning really is spring cleaning. It's the time to get rid of the garbage because the world is coming back to life and the exodus from slavery to freedom is being recalled. It's the time for a fresh start without the stale old baggage.
On a deeper level a person who has brought a beautiful expensive bull as a gift to G-d or even one who is about to conduct a beautiful Seder may think he has achieved perfection. As such he does not need to be concerned about something as mundane as leaving the place clean. In fact we haven't reached perfection and simple consideration is always important. Even so mitzvahs like disposing of the ashes and the search for chametz bring a person to a higher level of purity.
לע"נ האמא מלכה בת חיים ז"ל נלב"ע טז ניסן תשנ"ח
העלון ניתן לקבל בדואר אלקטרוני וגם באתר http://dyschreiber.blogspot.com
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