Summary of the Parasha
Tzav (“Command”) continues the laws of offerings from the previous week, this time from the Kohanim’s point of view: how to bring each offering, who may eat it, where and until when. The fire on the altar must burn continually and never go out. The Torah repeats the prohibition of consuming blood and certain fats.
The parasha ends with the seven days of inauguration (Shivat Yemei HaMilu’im): Moses dresses Aaron and his sons in their garments, anoints them with oil, and performs the service himself for seven days to show them how it is done. Throughout this time, the Kohanim remain at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting.
Summary of the Haftara
“Oloteichem Sefu” (“Add your burnt offerings”)
Text in Jeremiah 7:21–8:3 and 9:22–23
Jeremiah prophesies shortly before the destruction of the First Temple. He rebukes the people for bringing offerings while following idolatry, even sacrificing children in the valley of Ben-Hinnom. God reminds them that on the day of the Exodus He did not first ask for sacrifices, but: “Listen to My voice”. The haftara ends with two famous verses: let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, the strong man in his strength, the rich man in his riches, but in understanding and knowing God, who does kindness, justice and righteousness.
Parasha-Haftara Connection
The parasha describes the service of the offerings in every detail; the haftara reminds us what it is for. Without listening to God’s voice and without integrity, an offering is empty. The Korban is a path toward God, not a substitute for good conduct.
Special Shabbat: HaGadol
Tzav is often read on Shabbat HaGadol, the Shabbat before Pesach. It recalls the great miracle before the Exodus: the Hebrews kept a lamb, a god of Egypt, in their homes, and the Egyptians could do nothing. The haftara is then taken from Malachi, the last of the prophets (according to Megillah 15a, this may be a name for Ezra). It speaks of the future judgment and announces the coming of Elijah the Prophet, who will herald the Mashiach. Everything is centered on redemption: the redemption from Egypt with Moses, and the final redemption with the Mashiach.