The Torah, quarantines, and wellbeing

For Shabbat, April 4, 2020

Parasha Tzav  — Shabbat HaGadol

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.

Dr. Michael Mantell

SAN DIEGO — This week’s parasha, Tzav, is filled with korbans, “offerings,” from burnt ones (“olah”), to thanksgiving ones (“todah”) , to peace ones (“shlamim”), the latter sometimes referred to as “goodwill” or “wellbeing” ones. We surely need peace and wellbeing now in the midst of the “coronapocalypse” we are asked to grow through. So, the timeliness of delving into the laws of the “sacrifice of the shlamim,”are especially timely. Why? Because as we as we learn in Tanchuma Tzav, 10, “Great is the shlamim, for they bring peace between Israel and their Father in Heaven.”

Are you familiar with the childhood diversion that follows an argument? “Shulom, Shulom l’olam; b’rogez, b’rogez af pa’am” meaning, “Friends, friends we’ll be forever; fighting, fighting, never ever.” This is what the peace offering also achieves.

Not only in this week’s parasha do we learn the value of the peace, goodwill, or wellbeing, offering. Peace over truth, Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel teaches, is an essential first choice in the Torah. We are built upon, anchored in, the belief that we have a collective dependence, a genuine concern, a heartfelt bond, for each other’s wellbeing. It’s this harmony, amity, care and support that demonstrates a healthy community. We reveal out utmost potency when we as a community draw together in considerate, peaceful, compassionate, unison. Even when physical distance intercedes.

And now the turn…

You see, often when Hashem speaks with Moshe, we read the words “emor” meaning “speak to,” or “dabayr” translated to, “say.” But this week, in the midst of COVID19 illness, death, quarantine, and sadly flagrant disregard of medical and governmental directives, the parasha begins with “tzav” the root of “mitzvah,” or “commandment.” Rashi teaches that the use of this strong word was to caution the priests to be unusually careful in their rituals in the Mishkan. While many relate this urgent obligation to religious practice, perhaps there is a deeper link to contemporary times. Is Hashem instructing us, through “tzav,” to follow not only religious obligations, but to observe the current responsibility to come together as a community, to adopt and obey safe practices to protect our collective health, as instructed by health and government officials?

Just as we moved when the pillar of cloud moved and stopped when the pillar of cloud stopped during our 40-year wandering in the wilderness, so too are we being steered, “tzav,” to stop in place and accept this current standstill in our lives. While we all are wisely, hopefully, fully abiding by the quarantine, it’s only our bodies that are quarantined. Our minds are not.

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Michael Mantell, Ph.D., prepares a weekly d’var Torah for Young Israel of San Diego, where he and his family worship.  He may be contacted via michael.mantell@sdjewishworld.com