Parashah Roundup: Tzav-Pesach 5769

by Steve Brizel

The Immuable Divine Command

R. Berel Wein and R. Herschel Schachter remind us that obedience to a commandment or halacha requires selfless sacrifice, even if it appears devoid of logic to us and that we should always remember that Moshe Rabbeinu to whom God appeared , revealed Himself and gave a system of mitzvos, to which “Lifnim Mshuras HaDin” applies if one is going in th same direction as the halacha, as opposed to acting contrary to the halacha: link 1, link 2

R. Yissocher Frand urges us to follow the model of both proper intent and action, even if it costs a considerable sum, in performing a mitzvah: link

R. Jonathan Sacks explains the centrality of Sefer Vayikra, explores various hashkafic approaches to korbanos, and how prayer can serve as a substitute for a korban simply by negating our will in favor of the Divine Will: link

Click here to read moreThe Contrast Between Vayikra and Tzav

R. Mordechai Sabato contrasts and explains the korbanos in Parshas Vaiykra and Tzav: link

The Cleaning of the Ashes

R. Aharon Lichtenstein explains why a Kohen who was not prepared to clean the ashes was not worthy of offering a sacrifice: link

The korban Olah

The Nesivos Shalom, as elucidated by R. Yitzchak Adlerstein, suggests that we emulate the halachos, aim and purpose of the korban Olah in our study of Torah and Tefilah as a means of battling thoughts of sin that weaken us and bind us to evil: link

The Seven Days of Consecration

R. Aharon Lichtenstein suggests that the schism between the role of a Kohen and Prophet required the participation of Moshe Rabbeinu in the consecration process and that we try to fuse our personalities with the elements of a Kohen and Prophet, not just in the Beis Medrash, but also in our everyday lives: link

The Relevance of the Sacrificial Order Today

R. Ephraim Buchwald, based on Hosea 14:3, underscores the importance of Tefilah and Torah study as means of resurrecting the Beis HaMikdash: link

Shabbos HaGadol

R. Mayer Twersky reminds us that we call this Shabbos “HaGadol” to distinguish it from Chag HaMatzos because it is the greatest and holiest day of the Jewish calendar: link

R. Shlomo Riskin explains why the Haftarah of Shabbos HaGadol is understood as mandating the presence of Eliyahu HaNavi who will herald the arrival of the Redemption of the Jewish People: link

Shoalim v Dorshim Department

An Overview of the Haggadah

Rav Soloveitchik zt"l investigates the structure of the Haggadah from Avadim Hayinu until Gaal Yisrael.and nine aspects of the Seder: link 1, link (audio)

Erev Yom Tov

Eruv Tavshilin

R. Joshua Flug discusses the halachic sources and requirements for Eruv Tavshilin: link (PDF)

Biur Chametz

R. Menachem Genack, based upon the teachings of Rav Soloveitchik zt"l, explains how one destroys Chametz and fulfills the Mitzvah of Tashbisu: link (PDF)

Leil HaSeder

Ha Lachma Anyah

R. Daniel Z. Feldman explores the halachic and hashkafic underpinnings of Hachnosas Orchim: link (PDF)

Kiddush and Various Halachic Aspects of the Seder

R. Herschel Schachter explores the unique halachic requirments of Kiddush on Leil HaSeder and numerous aspects of the Seder: link 1 (audio), link 2 (audio), link 3 (audio)

R. Mordechai Willig discusses the role of women at the Seder: link (audio)

Various Insights into Magid

Rebbitzen Smadar Rosenzweig discusses the obligations of women at the Seder and other issues within the Haggadah: link (audio)

Dr. Michelle Levine explains why the Seder is structured around from proceeding from darkness to light and from servitude to redemption: link (PDF)

R. Michael Rosensweig investigates the comtrasting themes of Avadim Hayinu and Mtchilah: link (audio)

Arbah Kosos and Hasebah

R. Yonasan Sacks and R. Baruch Simon discusses various issues related to Arbah Kosos and Hasebah: link 1 (audio), link 2 (audio)

R. Zvi Sobolofsky discusses the issues involved in using wine or grape juice: link (audio)

Shiurim and Finishing the Seder on Time

R. Zvi Sobolofsky discusses how much Karpas one should eat at the Seder: link (audio)

R. Mordechai Willig discusses the shiurim related to Arbah Kosos and Acilas Matzah and the effect of Daylight Savings Time upon Halachah: link 1 (audio), link 2 (audio)

Talmud Torah and Zecher LMikdash

R. Yaakov Neuberger investigates why the Seder is fulfilled through the mitzvah and various aspects of Talmud Torah: link (PDF)

R. Mayer Twersky demonstrates that Zecher Lmikdash is one of the underlying motifs of the entire Seder: link (PDF)

Hallel

R. Dovid Hirsch discusses numerous queries raised with respect to Hallel during the Seder: link (audio)

Choleh Umitzaer Leil HaSeder

R Asher Weiss explores the halachos of a choleh and mitzaer on Leil HaSeder: link

Chol HaMoed

R. Aharon Soloveitchik zt"l discusses various aspects of Chol HaMoed: link 1 (audio), link 2 (audio)

Sefiras HaOmer

R. Zvi Sobolofsky discusses whether Sefiras HaOmer is Biblical or Rabbinical: link (audio)

R. Baruch Simon and R. Shalom Rosner discuss Minhagei Sefiras HaOmer and why Sefiras HaOmer is a path to taharah: link 1 (audio), link 2 (audio)

Last year's roundup: link