March 21, 2019 – Tzav

Dear Scouts,

 

I hope everyone had a great Purim this week!

 

This week, Parasha Tzav discusses some symbols important to Scouting.

 

The parasha has many instructions regarding the korbonot, the offerings of food that were cooked in the Mishkan (the Tabernacle) and later in the Temple; some parts of the offering were burned up entirely. In two places, at the beginning of the parasha and later when explaining the very first service for the kohanim, the Torah explains that the kohanim (the priests) donned their special clothing before offering the korbonot.

 

So the parasha deals with three important items in Scouting: fire, food and the uniform.

 

There is an important connection among these things. Fire is an agent of change. It turns wood into coals and the change of energy caused by the extreme heat creates light.

 

The fire that burned the korbonot was also an agent of change in the person giving the offering. Our ancestors use the offerings as a means of atoning for sins – indicating they were sorry for what they had done wrong and would do better.

 

The special clothing of the kohanim showed there was a change in them. Their clothing added holiness to the ceremony of the offering. These clothes were worn only when conducting the holy services in the Mishkan. They were a symbol to the kohanim and the people that those performing the offerings were doing something special and important – they had changed from ordinary work.

 

Your uniform is not holy (though it may have holes in it!) but it does change you. It is a symbol of your life as a Scout, dedicated to live by the Scout Oath and Law. It reminds you of the bonds you have with the other Scouts in your den, pack, patrol, troop, crew or ship and the things you do together.

 

Go be like the fire. Get your Scout buddies together in uniform and change from the everyday – create some energy and light up your lives with fun and adventure.

 

Shabbat shalom,

Nelson