The Torah portion Tzav is about gratitude. While the Book of Leviticus is the shortest book of the Torah, it mainly speaks to the priests in a language and setting we may have difficulty understanding. We read about ritual observances of an ancient time. These sacrificial rituals challenge the modern mind to create meaning in a spiritual and fundamental way. And so, we look at this portion through metaphoric lenses.
These ancient sacrifices tell us a great deal about society. Tzav details eight kinds of animal sacrifices that fall into three categories: those that were eaten by the giver, those sacrifices eaten by the priests and the one that was burned in its entirety.
One category of the well-being offering is linked to expressing thanksgiving: “The offering to God from a sacrifice of well-being must be presented to the one who offers their sacrifice of well-being to God; their own hands shall present God’s gifts.”
According to the writings of Rabbi Shai Held in “The Heart of Torah,” R. Isaac Abravanel suggested:
“The Torah’s purpose is to publicize the miracle the person is celebrating. The fact that a great deal of food must be consumed in a short time leads the thankful person to invite ‘relatives, friends and acquaintances to share in his meal and his joy.’ He will thus have the opportunity to tell them of the wonders of the wonders and miracles that were done for him, and God’s name will be publicly glorified.”
Upon waking in the morning, Jewish souls turn to reciting Modeh/Modah ani, “I give thanks.” We express our gratitude for a new day of life, a day of potential to reach within to find our humanity in which can celebrate the world and all that is therein. We are given an opportunity, filled with mindfulness, that life is a gift, and one says, “Thank you,” upon receiving the possibility of such moments.
For what or whom are you grateful? Do you stop and fully appreciate the many gifts of daily living that escape under the radar of taking it for granted? Make a list. Write one reason why you are happy to be blessed with a new day. Write down three names of people for whom you want to thank for their friendship, support or kindness.
And at the end of your day as your eyelids are heavy with slumber, and the words of the Shema are recited upon your lips, express a word of gratitude for the day which has been given to you as a gift.
What does it mean to express thanksgiving? As a former marathon runner, I have many stories to share about race day. My most positive marathon was not my fastest, but my healthiest, by all emotional standards. I was in Columbus, Ohio. Prior to lining up at the start, I was determined to participate with a sense of gratitude. During each mile, I would focus on one aspect in my life for which I was grateful. I was very specific. I did not group friendships into one mile but earmarked personal relationships for an individual mile.
It was the most meaningful and uplifting 26.2 miles in my running history. And rather than count down the miles, I counted as we do from Passover to Shavuot by increasing the miles. Counting down felt like I was escaping, not gathering strength. Gratitude in Hebrew is hakarat ha-tov, meaning acknowledging the good.
How do you train yourself to not only see the good and beauty but to appreciate it?
As Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, of blessed memory, wrote, “Giving thanks is beneficial to the body and the soul. It contributes to both happiness and health. It is also a self-fulfilling attitude: The more we celebrate the good, the [better] we discover that is worthy of celebration.”
And that, my friends, is not a sacrifice. It is an honor.
Rabbi Elizabeth Hersh is senior rabbi at Temple Emanuel and is a member of the St. Louis Rabbinical and Cantorial Association, which coordinates the d’var Torah for the Jewish Light.
