(updated and revised from Tzav 5766-2006)

In this week’s parasha, parashat Tzav, we learn of the Peace offering—זֶבַח הַשְּׁלָמִים–Zevach Sh’lamim, that was brought as a sacrifice upon the Altar by a grateful Jew, as a gesture of thanksgiving.

At times, the שְׁלָמִים-Sh’lamim–Peace Offering was brought in fulfillment of a נֶדֶר–neder–a vow or נְדָבָה–n’davah–a free-will offering. The תּוֹדָה–Todah, however, was brought specifically as an offering of thanksgiving by a donor who had survived a life-threatening crisis. By bringing the thanksgiving offering, the donor expressed his gratitude to G-d and his recognition that it is G-d who saved him from the crisis.

Our rabbis in Berachot 54b, teach that four people are required to bring the thanksgiving offering: those who traverse a desert, those who are released from imprisonment, those who are healed from a severe or serious illness, and those who survive a dangerous voyage–such as on the sea.

We live in the most wondrous of times. Modes of transportation become faster and more efficient every single day. Advances in communication are measured in milliseconds. Most Americans have “treasure troves” of food upon which to feast. In fact, the world seems to be moving ahead so rapidly that we hardly have time to acknowledge the great benefits that we constantly derive from the knowledge explosion and the great advances in science and technology.

Despite all this, we still often hear the plaintive cries of those who ask: “Where was G-d during the Holocaust?” But seldom do we hear the voices of those who acknowledge the incredible advances made by modern medicine to heal the sick. We fail to acknowledge that since 1900, virtually 35 years have been added to the average life span of North Americans! Why is no one asking: “Where is G-d? I’d like to give Him a יִיַשֵּׁר כּוֹחֲךָ–yasher koach, a big “Thank you” for everything He’s done to advance human life through His wisdom and kindness.”

Few of us stop to think, even for a moment, how blessed we are, and how great the benefits we are blessed with daily.

It is now possible to walk around carrying a tiny iPhone that not only helps us communicate to the most remote places on earth, but enables the owner to access thousands of songs, speeches, messages, teachings and almost every book ever published. Food is available in great abundance in countries of enormous wealth. Vacationing has become an art form, not only for senior citizens, but even for teenagers and college students.

Despite these many advances, living in contemporary times is still a great challenge. There is virtually no place on earth that is totally safe from terrorism. Global warming has become a universal concern, resulting in quixotic changes in climate and new, ominous, weather patterns. People around the globe are shuddering just thinking about the potential havoc that is expected from the next pandemic.

For certain, part of each person’s life includes the inevitable reality that each of us will, at one time or another, face our own perilous “desert” or other potentially hazardous journey. Each of us may face a serious illness that can devastate us in a moment. How often do we set forth on voyages whose destinations are unknown? Notwithstanding the infinite amounts of information at our fingertips, we still cannot predict the vicissitudes of the storms ahead of us.

That is why the ancient Jews offered a sacrifice known as Zevach Sh’lamim–the Peace offering. It is an offering of joy and gratitude. It is intended to remind the people that there is very much for which we must be grateful. It is meant to teach us how critically important it is for every one of us to learn to express gratitude! That is why in Leviticus Rabbah 9:7 we learn that, although all the sacrifices may be discontinued in the End of Days (for, in the Messianic era, people will be sinless), “the offering of Thanksgiving will never cease. While all the prayers may be discontinued, the prayer of Thanksgiving will never cease.”

Must we wait until we suffer a setback or a serious challenge to enjoy the great gifts that we are given? Please think about it. Try it! Just press your hand to your heart, and feel your heartbeat! Take a deep breath and savor the miracle of inhaling freely! Jump up and down and shout out: “Thank You G-d, thank You for the ability to see, to hear, to talk, to smile!”

All human beings, but especially Jews, need to learn to celebrate life, to savor each moment, each breath, each heartbeat. We dare not lose the ability to express our thanks through prayer and sacrifice. For it is only through this unique ability, that humankind can ever hope to bring universal redemption, as well as our own very personal redemption.

May you be blessed.

Please note: This Shabbat, the Shabbat immediately preceding Passover, is known as Shabbat haGadol, the Great Shabbat. On this Shabbat, we read a special Haftarah from the words of the prophet Malachi 3:4-24, in which we find the verse: “Behold, I send to you Elijah the Prophet, before the great and awesome day of G-d.”

For more information regarding Shabbat haGadol, see parashat Tzav 5781-2021.

The first two days of the joyous festival of Passover  will be observed this year on Saturday night, April 12th and all-day Sunday and Monday, April 13 and 14, 2025. The seventh and eighth days of Passover begin on Friday night, April 18th, and continue through Saturday and Sunday, April 19 and 20.

Wishing you and yours a healthy, joyous and peaceful Passover!

https://rabbibuchwald.njop.org