Parshas Tzav

Leviticus 6:1 - 8:36

Shabbos Parah {is a special Torah reading
that replaces the Maphtir Numbers 19:1-22 }

What The Month Of Nissan

And The Dedication of The Mishkon Have
In Common ©
By Dr. Akiva G. Belk

A central theme of Parshas Vayikra, Tzav and Shemini is the consecration of

the Mishkon, the Kohen Godal, the Kohanim and learning the mitzvahs they
are required to observe in behalf of Kal Yisroel in the performance of their
duties. We read in Parshas Pekudei, "Hashem spoke to Moshe saying, 'On the
day of the first new moon, on the first of the month, you shall erect the
Mishkon, the Tent of Meeting.'" Exodus 40:1,2 Then we read that Moshe did
this, "It was in the first month of the second year on the first of the month that
the Mishkon was erected. Moshe erected the Mishkon..." Exodus 40:17,18

Now, however, we are several parshas from Parshas Pekudei and it seems we
are backtracking. The fact is that before Moshe anointed the Mishkon and the
Mez Bay Ach inside, he first stopped to instruct the Kohanim about the
sacrificial laws that we learned last week in Vayikra and this week in Tzav.
Then Moshe finished the anointing and dressing which leads into Parshas
Shemini.

The Torah records,

" Moshe took the anointing - oil and anointed the Mishkon and everything
inside it and sanctified them." Leviticus 8:10

Much of what we have been discussing in Parshas Pekudei, Vayikra, Tzav and
Shemini actually transpired on 1 Nissan thousands of years ago.

The world was created on 1 Nissan 5760 years ago. The patriarch, Yitzchok,
was born on 1 Nissan 2048. And the Mishkon was dedicated on 1 Nissan. In
addition to this, Kal Yisroel was delivered by the powerful hand of Hashem
during the month of Nissan. What a rich heritage we have surrounding the
month of Nissan.

The Gematria for Nissan is 170 and the Gematria Mispar Katan for Leviticus
is also 170. See Top of page.

So from this we can see that as we approach the month of Nissan we are also
approaching the dedication of both the physical and spiritual Mishkons. This
requires each Jew to prepare. We rid our house, the physical house and the
spiritual house, of the chametz, the leaven, the yeast which represents sin. We
do a thorough cleaning in preparation for the arrival of Pesach. We insure that
as we enter Nissan we have consecrated our lives unto Hashem. We insure
that our Mishkon is ready to receive His presence....!!

Wishing you the best,

Dr. Akiva G. Belk