📜Daily Chumash & Rashi Parshas Tzav – Rishon: Terumas Hadeshen and the Mincha offering (Sunday 4th nissan)

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                             Parshas Tzav

Pesukim: 97 [Siman: צו ]

Haftorah: Yirmiyahu 7:21-28[1], 9:22-23

 

 

Number of Mitzvos:

There is a total of eighteen Mitzvos in Parshas Tzav; Nine positive commands and Nine negative commands. The following are the commands in the chronological order that they are brought in the Parsha.

 

A. Positive:

1. Mitzvah 131/Positive 59: To remove the ash from the altar [i.e. Terumas Hadeshen].

2. Mitzvah 132/Positive 60: To keep a fire constantly alit on the altar and to daily light a stack of wood on the altar.[2]

3. Mitzvah 134/Positive 61: For the Kohanim to eat the leftovers of the Menachos.

4. Mitzvah 136/Positive 62: For the Kohen Gadol to offer a daily Mincha offering in the morning and afternoon.

5. Mitzvah 138/Positive 63: For the Kohanim to perform the Chatas offering according to the laws mentioned in the Torah.

6. Mitzvah 140/Positive 64: For the Kohanim to perform the Asham offering according to the laws mentioned in the Torah.

7. Mitzvah 141/Positive 65: For the Kohanim to perform the Shelamim offering according to the laws mentioned in the Torah.

8. Mitzvah 143/Positive 66: The Mitzvah to burn any leftovers of the Karbanos, which remain past their time [i.e. Nosar].

9. Mitzvah 146/Positive 67: The Mitzvah to burn Karbanos which have become impure.

 

B. Negative:

1. Mitzvah 133/Negative 73: The prohibition to extinguish a fire from on the altar.

2. Mitzvah 135/Negative 74: The prohibition to bake the leftover Menachos into Chameitz.

3. Mitzvah 137/Negative 75: The prohibition for the Mincha of a Kohen to be eaten, and rather it is entirely offered to G-d.

4. Mitzvah 139/Negative 76: The prohibition to eat from the Chatas offering which is offered in the Heichal.

5. Mitzvah 142/Negative 77: The prohibition to have any leftovers from the Toda offering, or other offerings, left until the morning [i.e. Nosar].

6. Mitzvah 144/Negative 78: The prohibition to eat Pigul, which is a Karban that was slaughtered or offered with intent to offer or eat past its time.

7. Mitzvah 145/Negative 79: The prohibition to eat Kodshim that are impure.

8. Mitzvah 147/Negative 80: The prohibition to eat the Cheilev fat of a Kosher domestic animal.

9. Mitzvah 148/Negative 81: The prohibition to eat the blood of an animal or fowl.

Rishon

  1. The constant fire on the altar, the Olah offering & Terumas Hadeshen:
  • Hashem spoke to Moshe and told him to command Aaron and his children the following laws [of Karbanos]:
  • The law of the burning of the Olah offering on the altar, is that it shall remain burning on the altar throughout the night.
  • Terumas Hadeshen: The Kohen is to wear his linen shirt and pants on his flesh upon removing the ash of the sacrifices. The ash is to be placed next to the altar. He is to change clothing and remove the ash out of the encampment, to a place of purity.
  • The constant fire: The fire on the altar is to remain there constantly and is not to be extinguished. The Kohen is to place wood on the altar each morning to fuel the fire. The Kohen is to arrange the Olah offering on it and cause the fats of the peace offering to go up in smoke.

 

  1. The laws of the Mincha offering:
  • The children of Aaron are to offer the Mincha offering to the altar.
  • They are to remove three fingerfuls of the fine flour of the Mincha, including its oil and all of its frankincense, and offer it on the altar.
  • The remainder of the Mincha is to be eaten by the Kohanim in the courtyard of the Ohel Moed. It is to be eaten as Matzah, and not Chameitz. It is considered Kodesh Kodashim like the Chatas and Asham.
  • Every male Kohen is allowed to eat its leftovers. This law applies for all generations.
  • Whatever touches the Karban becomes Holy.

______________________________________

[1] So is followed by Chabad communities. However, Ashkenazi and Sepahardi communities read until verse 8:3 and then add the verses 9:22-23

[2] See Minchas Chinuch ibid that according to the Rambam the Mitzvah is to make sure that a flame is always alit on the altar, while according to the Chinuch the Mitzvah is light a pile of wood on the altar every morning and evening.

Law/Offering

Details

Kohen’s Role

Additional Instructions

Olah Offering

Burning on altar throughout the night

Arrange Olah on altar, burn fats of peace offering

Fire to remain constantly, not extinguished

Terumas Hadeshen

Removal of ash from sacrifices

Wear linen shirt and pants, remove ash, place next to altar

Change clothing, remove ash out of encampment to a place of purity

Constant Fire

Fire on altar to remain there constantly

Place wood on altar each morning

Do not extinguish fire

Mincha Offering

Three fingerfuls of fine flour, oil, frankincense offered on altar

Children of Aaron offer Mincha to altar

Remainder eaten by Kohanim in courtyard as Matzah, not Chameitz

Mincha Remainder

Eaten by Kohanim, considered Kodesh Kodashim

Every male Kohen allowed to eat leftovers

Law applies for all generations

Karban Contact

Whatever touches the Karban becomes Holy

 

 

📘 Rashi Q&A — Vayikra 6:1–11

 

6:2 — Commanding the Ascent‑Offering

Q1. What does the word “צַו” (“Command”) indicate according to Rashi?

A: It denotes urging, emphasizing importance, immediacy, and applicability for future generations.

 

Q2. Why was special urging needed here according to Rabbi Shimon?

A: Because this command involves monetary loss.

 

Q3. What does “זֹאת תּוֹרַת הָעֹלָה” teach?

A: That burning the fats and limbs on the Altar is valid throughout the entire night, not only by day.

 

Q4. What additional law is taught by this section?

A: It teaches which disqualified sacrifices, if placed on the Altar, must not be removed.

 

Q5. How does the term “תּוֹרָה” function here?

A: It is inclusive, applying one rule to all holy items brought onto the Altar, even disqualified ones.

 

Q6. What does “הִוא הָעֹלָה” exclude?

A: Animals disqualified before entering the Courtyard (e.g., bestiality), which must be taken down even if placed on the Altar.

 

6:3 — Removing the Ashes (Terumat HaDeshen)

Q7. What is meant by “מִדּוֹ בַד”?

A: The linen tunic, tailored to the priest’s size.

 

Q8. What does “עַל־בְּשָׂרוֹ” teach?

A: That nothing may intervene between the trousers and the priest’s skin.

 

Q9. What does “וְהֵרִים אֶת־הַדֶּשֶׁן” refer to?

A: The priest removes a panful of innermost ashes and places them on the east side of the ramp.

 

Q10. From which ashes is this portion taken?

A: From ashes produced by the fire consuming the ascent‑offering.

 

Q11. What if unburned sacrificial parts are found?

A: They are returned to the fire after raking the coals.

 

6:4 — Taking Ashes Outside the Camp

Q12. Is removing the garments obligatory?

A: No; it is proper conduct, to avoid soiling sacred garments.

 

Q13. Why must the priest wear other garments?

A: Because one should not wear the same garments for less dignified tasks, like removing ashes.

 

Q14. What does “וְהוֹצִיא אֶת־הַדֶּשֶׁן” refer to?

A: Removing the accumulated ashes from the heap (tapuach) when it becomes too large.

 

Q15. Was this removal done daily?

A: No; only the partial removal was daily, not the full removal outside the camp.

 

6:5 — The Altar Fire

Q16. Why does Scripture repeatedly emphasize the Altar fire?

A: To teach multiple laws about the number and function of woodpiles, as expounded in Tractate Yoma.

 

Q17. What does “וְעָרַךְ עָלֶיהָ הָעֹלָה” teach?

A: The daily morning ascent‑offering must be offered first.

 

Q18. How do we know nothing may precede the morning offering?

A: From the word “הָעֹלָה” — the ascent‑offering.

 

Q19. What does “חֶלְבֵי הַשְּׁלָמִים” indicate?

A: If peace‑offerings are brought, their fats are burned after the morning offering.

 

Q20. What principle do the Sages derive from “עָלֶיהָ”?

A: That all sacrifices must be completed before the afternoon daily offering, and nothing may follow it.

 

6:6 — The Constant Fire

Q21. What does “אֵשׁ תָּמִיד” refer to?

A: The fire used for kindling the Menorah, which must come from the Outer Altar.

 

Q22. What does “לֹא תִכְבֶּה” teach?

A: Extinguishing the Altar fire violates two prohibitions.

 

6:7 — Law of the Grain‑Offering

Q23. What does “וְזֹאת תּוֹרַת הַמִּנְחָה” teach?

A: One law applies to all grain‑offerings — all require oil and frankincense.

 

Q24. Why was this inclusive term needed?

A: To include a priest’s grain‑offering, which is fully burned.

 

Q25. What does “הַקְרֵב אֹתָהּ” refer to?

A: Bringing it near the south‑west corner of the Altar.

 

Q26. What does “לִפְנֵי ה‘” indicate?

A: The west side of the Altar, facing the Tent of Meeting.

 

Q27. What does “אֶל־פְּנֵי הַמִּזְבֵּחַ” indicate?

A: The south side, called the “face” because of the ramp.

 

6:8 — The Memorial Portion

Q28. What does “וְהֵרִים מִמֶּנּוּ” teach?

A: The entire tenth of an ephah must be together when the fistful is taken.

 

Q29. What does “בְּקֻמְצוֹ” teach?

A: The fistful must be taken by hand, not with a measuring tool.

 

Q30. From where is the fistful taken?

A: From the place with the most oil.

 

Q31. What does “הַמִּנְחָה” exclude?

A: A grain‑offering mixed with another.

 

Q32. What is done with the frankincense?

A: It is gathered after the fistful is taken and burned with it.

 

6:9 — Eating the Remainder

Q33. Where must the remainder be eaten?

A: In a holy place, i.e., the Courtyard of the Tent of Meeting.

 

6:10 — Unleavened and Holy

Q34. What does “לֹא תֵאָפֶה חָמֵץ” teach?

A: Even the priests’ portions may not be leavened.

 

Q35. How is a sinner’s grain‑offering compared to a sin‑offering?

A: Improper intent in the fistful invalidates it.

 

Q36. How is a voluntary grain‑offering compared to a guilt‑offering?

A: Improper intent does not invalidate it.

 

6:11 — Who May Eat and Sanctification

Q37. What does “כָּל־זָכָר” include?

A: Even a blemished priest may eat and receive an equal share.

 

Q38. Why is this inclusion stated here?

A: To grant equal portions in priestly gifts.

 

Q39. What does “כָּל־אֲשֶׁר־יִגַּע” refer to?

A: Any food that absorbs flavor from the grain‑offering.

 

Q40. What does “יִקְדָּשׁ” mean in this context?

A: It becomes sanctified like the grain‑offering—sharing its laws of validity or invalidity.

📜Daily Chumash & Rashi Parshas Tzav – Rishon: Terumas Hadeshen and the Mincha offering (Sunday 4th nissan)

March 22, 2026 No Comments

Post Views: 1,547 *The article below is an excerpt from the above Sefer *As an Amazon Associate I earn from  qualifying purchases. Donate Buy in Paperback or Kindle Buy on Apple Books Purchase on our website Sign up for Daily Distribution Sponsor an Episode                              Parshas Tzav Pesukim: 97 [Siman:

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Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

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