Parshat Tzav: High Five

BH

This week's parsha post is dedicated as an Ilui Neshama for our beloved Rabbi Michel Geller.

Today, I'd like to share a beautiful Chiddush (intriguing Torah thought) from the Kli Yakar!

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The 5 main categories of Korbanos (offerings) are listed in this week's parsha, Tzav. 
5 times in this parsha (preceding the illustration the Torah gives us of each korban), do we find the expression "zoht torah - this is the law (of the ____-offering)."

Let's cite them together:

1.) "Tzav et-Aharon v'et banav laymor: zoht torah ha'olah... - Command Aharon and his sons thus:  This is the law of the elevation offering..." (Vayikra 6:2)

(Note:  You may find "olah" translated as "burnt (offering)", instead of elevation.  The expression 'elevation', is reminiscent of how this offering was totally burnt-- therefore, the whole sacrifice rose up (i.e. was elevated) in smoke.)

2.)  "V'zoht torah ha'mincha hak'raiv otah b'nai Aharon lifnei Hashem... - And this is the law of the meal offering:  Aharon's sons shall present it before the Lord..."  (Vayikra 6:7)

3.)  "Dabeir el-Aharon v'el-banav laymor zoht torah ha'chatas... - Speak to Aharon and his sons thus:  This is the law of the sin offering... " (Vayikra 6:18)

4.)  "V'zoht torah ha'asham kodesh kadashim hu. - And this is the law of the guilt offering, it is most holy." (Vayikra 7:1)

5.)  "V'zoht torah zevach ha'sh'lamim asher yakriv la'Hashem. - And this is the law of the sacrifice of well being (i.e. peace) that one may offer to the Lord." (Vayikra 7:11)

A thrilling remez (allusion):

Each of the 5 major Korbanos, correspond to Chamisha Chumshei Torah-- The 5 Books of the Torah! 

The olah connects to sefer Bereishis, the mincha to sefer Shemos, the chatas to Vayikra, the asham to Bamidbar, and the shelamim to Devarim.  In each of these books of the Torah, we can find mentions of their according sacrifices.

When we study Torah (especially concerning these korbanos), the mitzvah is tantamount to us bringing the actual korbanos (especially today, when we cannot bring offering to our beloved Bais haMikdash.  May that all change right now!)

We can make yet another connection of 5, highlighting the power of bringing korbanos, and our corresponding Torah learning:

The 5 korbanos are enumerated again in the upcoming Parshat Metzora...  Why?
The 5 korbanos also allude to the 5 types of tzara'as!!!

(Note:  Tzara'as is a leprous-like disease, Divinely inflicted, as punishment for one who speaks lashon hara {slander}.)

The korbanos were brought as kaparah (atonement) for the aveirah of lashon hara that brought the disease upon the individual.

'Torah,' the Kli Yakar states, 'protects one from lashon hara!'
And to paraphrase Pirkei Avos, which quotes Mishlei (Proverbs):  "Ki chayim haym l'motzaihem ul'chal b'saro marpay - For they (the teachings of the Torah) are life to those who find them, and a healing to his entire flesh!"

So now we see the significance of the number 5...  a number symbolizing great elevation, and precious ways to connect to Hashem...

R' Chalafta ben Dosa of Kfar Chanania, in Pirkei Avos, quotes Amos haNavi, teaching us that 'the Shechina rests among them (referring to a minyan of 10)...  But how do we know the Shechina rests among even 5?  He has established His bundle upon the earth.' 

The word for "bundle" used in this text is "agudah".  An agudah can be carried in one hand, therefore, the expression connotes the 5 fingers.  Hashem's 'bundle' is a group of 5 people studying Torah together!

HIGH FIVE!!!