Parshat Tzav
Rabbi Jablinowitz
In the beginning of this week’s parsha, we read that the Kohen changes his clothes before he takes the refuse from the Mizbeach and brings it out of the camp. Rashi explains the changing of the clothes in the following manner. It is inappropriate to pour your master’s wine wearing the same clothes you wore while cooking for him. This Chazal that Rashi quotes compares taking out the refuse with cooking, and doing the regular service in the Mishkan as pouring wine before one’s master. The Mishnah in Succah (Chapter 2, Mishnah 9) also uses this metaphor, pouring wine for one’s master, for the mitzvah of Succah. Why is this metaphor used to depict doing mitzvot before Hashem?
The main source of this Chazal quoted by Rashi is the Gemarah in Yoma 23B. However, this Chazal also appears in the Gemara in Shabbos 119A in the context of preparing for Shabbos. We change our clothes on Erev Shabbos and put on different clothes, because one doesn’t pour wine before one’s master with the same clothes he cooks in.
The Zohar teaches that wine is Torah She’bealpeh. Rav Tzadok explains this in the following manner. The mitzvot are acts commanded by Gd. They are like Torah Shebichtav. Everyone’s mitzvah act is exactly the same as his fellow Jew. What distinguishes one act from another is the enthusiasm and intention that an individual might put into performing the mitzvah. The Torah She’bealpeh of the mitzvah is my personal signature in the act, just as Torah She’bealpeh is my understanding and interpretations of Torah. And this is represented by wine, which indicates my enthusiasm and vigor that I add to the mitzvah. Hence, the best metaphor for devotion and service to Hashem is pouring wine before the master.
This is why this metaphor is used by wearing appropriate clothing. The same act performed in dirty clothing doesn’t have the same meaning as when I put on nice clothes. By wearing nice clothes I am indicating my desire and seriousness in doing the act. And the best expression of this is when just the wearing of the nice clothes itself is a mitzvah as we find regarding Kavod Shabbos.
One of the main differences between Yisrael and Amalek is their different approach as to what man is capable of accomplishing. Chazal teach us in Berachos 33B that "Hakol Bidei Shamayim Chutz M'Yiras Shamayim", everything is in the hands of Hashem except for fearing Him. We can determine our own level of Avodas Hashem. We can serve Gd with our own individual level of devotion and enthusiasm.
The Torah describes Amalek as (Devarim, Chapter 25, Pasuk 18) V'Lo Yareh Elokim, they were not Gd fearing. This is a general description of Amalek's attitude towards life. This is not achievable by man either. And this cynical attitude toward life is also expressed by Rashi on the previous pasuk where he compares Amalek to the one who jumps into the hot tube to prove it can be done. Though he himself is burnt, he is intent on cooling it off for the others in order to convince them not to fear.
The days of Purim are meant to be (Megillah, Chapter 9, Pasuk 22), Yemei Mishteh V'Simcha, days of drinking and rejoicing. The pasuk in Mishlei (Chapter 9, Pasuk 5) says, Lechu Lachmu B'Lachmi U'Shesu Beyain Mesechti. The Zohar Hakadosh teaches that the reference to drinking wine is the wine of Torah Shebe'alpeh. On Purim we drink wine to celebrate our acceptance of Torah and our role in Torah Shebe'alpeh. This expresses our rejection of the cynical attitude of Amalek and our appreciation for our tremendous opportunity for growth in Torah and in Avodas Hashem.
Good Shabbos
