Distinction

As I was reviewing Rabbi Leibtag's article, I thought of an interesting topic for a blog post.

Parshat Tzav and Parshat Vayikra both discuss korbanot. However, the focus that the each parsha puts on korbanot is very different. Parhat Vayikra serves as a "halachic catalogue" guiding different types of individuals as to which korban to bring. Parshat Tzav serves as an "instruction manual"- teaching the KOHEN HOW to offer each type of korban.

I think that this distinction is really important. It's a distinction like this that changes the way you learn and understand Torah. These distinctions also help combat generalizations and stereotypes on the Torah. As we talked about earlier in the year, Sefer Vayikra is NOT just about korbanot. Korbanot are only a small portion. People always say "Vayikra is just about korbanot" or "the Torah always repeats information about korbanot." In reality, this is not true at all! (as we've learned from this distinction) This is why it is so important not to just read the pesukim. You actually have to delve into it. Everything in the Torah was put there for a reason, it's not just random. Just look deeper!

p.s. Think about all of the other distinctions we have learned during this chavruta assignment! For example, How Sefer Vayikra is divided into korban nedava (voluntary korbanot) and korban chova (obligatory korbanot).