Tzav

Great is Peace

Adapted from a d'var by Rabbi Steven Pik-Nathan

Parashat Tzav reviews the sacrificial system presented in parashat Vayikra, with particular attention to the responsibilities of the priests.

Rabbi Meir, who lived in the land of Israel in the second century CE [and was married to the scholar Beruriah], offered a politically relevant comment on Parashat Tzav.

The last offering mentioned in the parashah's list of sacrifices is the 'zevach shelamim.' Zevach Shelamim can be translated as 'wholeness offering', 'offering of well-being' or 'peace offering.' Rabbi Meir's teaching is about the ëpeace offering.'

Rabbi Meir taught that the peace offering was mentioned last because the Torah always emphasizes the importance of peace/shalom. "Great is peace," he taught, "for the sake of peace a person may suffer humiliation."

Rabbi Meir then tells the story of a woman who regularly attended his weekly study session. One week, the session went on longer than usual and she was late returning home. The woman's husband became suspicious his wife's motives for spending time with the Rabbi. In anger he said, "I will not allow you into the house until you have spit in Rabbi Meir's eye."

The woman told Rabbi Meir what happened. He paused for just a moment and then said, "It seems that I have an infection in my right eye that can only be cured with the spittle of your mouth.  So please spit in my eye seven times." After the woman spat, Rabbi Meir told her to return to her husband and tell him that she had indeed spat in his eye.

You may find this story sexist or find the characters disingenuous, but perhaps you can put aside these reactions to see that the aim of the text is to teach the reader that "Great is peace. You may suffer shame to make peace between friends, between a wife and husband." (Midrash Leviticus Rabbah 9:9)

In the spirit of this ancient rabbinic text, we must always remember that building peace is our primary goal. 

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