Parashat Tzav - the Secret of the Ramak

Parashat Tzav - the Secret of the Ramak

Parashat Tzav discusses the Korbanot (offerings). The Mekubalim teach that all the pesukim concerning the Korbanot in the Torah have the power to annul harsh decrees against Am Yisrael. It is therefore important on the Shabbat when Parashat Tzav is read to recite the pesukim about the Korbanot with kavanah. The great Ramak - Rabbi Moshe Cordovero (may his merit protect us) taught that the passages about the Korbanot must be recited with the utmost care—one should strive to distance oneself from negative thoughts and doubts, and place one's trust solely in Hashem. For this reason, he advised reciting the following pasuk seven times before reading Parashat Tzav: אֵשׁ תָּמִיד תּוּקַד עַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ לֹא תִכְבֶּה - “Esh tamid tukad al ha-mizbe'ach lo tikhbeh” - (“The perpetual fire shall be kept burning on the altar; it shall not go out.”) (Leviticus 6:6) The Shlah HaKadosh (may his merit protect us) revealed that Eliyahu HaNavi taught the Ramak this phrase, for the Ramak was exceedingly humble and never revealed who disclosed the secrets of the Torah to him. This pasuk applies to anyone with a “lev tahor,” a pure heart, and it is beneficial to recite it seven times before every mitzvah, prayer, and good deed. The Mekubalim remind us that it is especially important to remember this during the twelve days before Rosh Chodesh Nisan and the twelve days after Rosh Chodesh Nisan.   (Based on a lesson by the Gaon Rabbi Ben-Zion Mutzafi)