March 28, 2026: Torah Portion Parashat Tzav - "Command!"
- Dr. Hadassah Elia
- 2 hours ago
- 7 min read
In this study, we will explore the Torah Portion Tzav - "Command!"
Torah Portion: Leviticus 6:8-8:36
Haftarah: Jeremiah 7:21-8:3; Jeremiah 9:22-24
Brit Chadashah (New Testament): Hebrews 7:23-8:6
📖Parashat Tzav - "Command!"
The Core Command: Keep the Fire Burning
At the heart of Tzav is this instruction:
“The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out.” Leviticus 6:13
This was not optional. It was a daily, disciplined responsibility of the priests.
Parashat Tzav continues God's instruction to Moses regarding the laws of korbanot (sacrifices), the animal and meal offerings at the Mishkan (tabernacle).
Many of the laws of the sacrifices are repeated from last week's Parashah Vayikra, though this time Moses addresses the kohanim (priests) directly and additional details are provided.
For example, the priests were to ensure that the fire of the altar never went out and that the whole burnt offering (olah) was consumed as it burned throughout the night.
Additional rules concerning the removal of ashes from the altar, the portion of the offerings that were given to the priests, and the cleansing of utensils were also given.
The Parashat begins:
"The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the law of the burnt offering. The burnt offering shall be on the hearth on the altar all night until the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it."
Leviticus 6:8-9
The command to keep the altar fire burning constantly in this Torah Portion, holds deep significance, pointing to the ongoing presence of ADONAI in our lives. The fire represents God's presence, His judgment, and His willingness to forgive, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of YESHUA for us on the tree of sacrifice.
1. God's Presence and Covenant:
The fire on the altar symbolized God's dwelling among His people.
It reminded them of God's covenant and His faithfulness.
The continuous burning highlighted the ongoing nature of God's relationship with His people.
2. Sacrifice and Atonement:
There are five types of sacrifices that are discussed in this Parashat, with the fire consuming most of them: 1) Olah - An "ascending offering": This was a freewill sacrifice that was consumed entirely by the fire on the altar. 2) Minchah - "Meal offering": This was a nedavah (freewill or gift) offering of flour (prepared with fine flour, olive oil and frankincense), usually brought by a person of modest means. Part of the meal offering is burned on the altar, and the remaining part is eaten by the kohanim (the word "mincha" means gift). 3) Shelamim - "peace offering": This was a nedavah (freewill) offering (eaten by the one bringing it) given as a way of expressing thanks to God on joyous occasions. 4) Chatat - "sin offering": This was a chovah (required) offering to make atonement for certain sins committed unintentionally by an individual (by the High Priest, the entire community, the king, or the ordinary Jew) 5) Asham - "guilt offering": This was a chovah (required) offering as part of the penitence required for certain improper acts (e.g., retaining another's property by swearing falsely).
This sacrifice represented atonement for sin and the restoration of relationship with ADONAI. However, it's important to note that these sacrifices were temporary and needed to be repeated. YESHUA, as the ultimate sacrifice, provided a once-for-all atonement, fulfilling the symbolism of the altar fire.
3. Fire as a Symbol of God's Nature:
Fire is often used in scripture to represent God's power, holiness, and judgment.
Exodus 13:21, "By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night." The pillar of fire provided both guidance and protection, illustrating God's constant presence with His people.
The fire on the altar served as a reminder of God's righteous nature and His desire for holiness in His people. "Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy." Leviticus 19:2
4. Prophetic Fulfillment:
The constant burning of the altar fire prefigured the continuous need for prayer and worship, ultimately culminating in the worship of YESHUA.
YESHUA is the perfect Lamb who was slain for us. And it's only through Him that we can have access to the Father. "YESHUA answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6
“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” 2 Timothy 1:6
We’ve all had times where our passion needed re-fueling. Apathy is defined as the absence or suppression of passion. Trials - when improperly responded to - work to steal our passion and leave us apathetic towards God and towards life. You may have just let busyness distract you and apathy is now knocking at your door. Or...maybe you’re just not “feeling it” ...lol. The good news is that it doesn’t have to stay that way. Regardless of how you feel, there’s a way to fuel your passion every single day.
The Greek word Paul used when telling Timothy to “fan into flame” is a word that means to kindle anew, rekindle, and resuscitate. Timothy may have been facing the pressures of leading the largest church of his time and as a result, let the flame of the Spirit get low in his heart. Paul said, in essence, it’s time to bring that fire back to life.
In the Old Testament, the responsibility to keep the lampstand burning fell upon the priests. In the same way, it’s our responsibility to keep the fire of the Spirit burning in our hearts.
If you’re in a time where you need to re-fuel your passion, know you’re in good company. If Paul told Timothy he needed to rekindle the fire, then don’t be ashamed if you do.
Here are 3 ways to stoke the fire of passion for God:
1. PRAY IN THE SPIRIT:
Here are some important benefits:
Edifies yourself (spirit, soul, body)
Perfect prayers
Keeps you heavenly-minded
Puts your flesh in check
God speaks to you
Bottom line: it strengthens your relationship with God.
Take time to pray in tongues every day. If you don’t pray in tongues yet, this is a great time to ask God for that gift. It’s for every believer (Mark 16:17).
2. MEDITATE ON THE WORD:
One of the ways you feed on Yeshua (John 6:57) is to meditate on the Word.
Just like the nutrients of food get in your physical body when you eat, meditating on the Word allows the truth and life of Christ to become a part of who you are. It gets embedded in your spirit and mind.
Take time to not just read, but meditate on the scriptures.
Faith comes by hearing the Word of God!
3. BRING A SACRIFICE OF PRAISE:
When you bless God regardless of how you feel, it’s a sacrifice of praise.
One of the ways that the Old Testament priests kept the fire on the altar burning (Lev. 6:13) was to bring a consistent offering. In other words, fire needs something to consume in order to keep burning.
One of the sacrifices we bring today is our praise. Praise is an offering that sustains the fire, it announces to your soul and the atmosphere around you that your praise is based - not on your current emotions and feelings - but on the worthiness of God.
God’s praise continues on forever because His worth continues on forever!
After these laws were given, God instructed Moses to consecrate Aaron and his sons for their service in the priesthood. This involved washing them with water, arraying them in the priestly garments, and anointing them with holy oil.
During the ordination ceremony, a sin offering and burnt offering were slaughtered on behalf of the priests, and then a special “ram of ordination” was slaughtered.
Some of this ram’s blood was put on the right ear, right thumb, and big toe of the priests, and the rest was sprinkled around the altar.
The sacrifice was then “waved” before the LORD and its meat was eaten with unleavened bread at the entrance to the Mishkan. Aaron and his sons were thereafter required to remain within the Mishkan for seven days and nights until their period of consecration was complete.
We must remember that we too are called priests! We are part of the royal priesthood, belonging to ADONAI! This means we too are to be set apart unto holiness and godliness, being obedient to the Command of the LORD, in this special mission He has given us of declaring His praises:
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9
Passover (Pesach), is coming up this Wednesday, April 1st, 2026.
On Pesach, a sacrifice was to be made of a perfect unblemished lamb called the Korban. YESHUA was on the cross exactly at this time, when the korban was being sacrificed during the Feast!
Now is the perfect opportunity to sing praises to the Lamb, with Elihana's brand new song she just released: "WORTHY IS THE LAMB" [RAUI SEH HA'ELOHIM]
WORTHY IS THE LAMB WHO WAS SLAIN
To receive GLORY, HONOR, POWER, and STRENGTH!
Forever and ever! 🔥
Let this song awaken worship in your heart! Let the Lion of Judah ROAR over your life!
Let the Lamb of God BE GLORIFIED!
RAUI SEH HA'ELOHIM (Worthy is the Lamb of YAH)!
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