Torah Study Questions
Tzav - Command
Vayikra (Leviticus) 6:1 (8) - 8:36
Mark R.  Ensign, Adot Adonai, Amarillo, Texas


Introductory questions -- Brief answers, not for extended discussion:

1. At what point in history does this parsha unfold?

2. Where does this parsha take place geographically?  What are the setting and environment?

3. Who are the primary actors in the parsha and what role or roles does each play?  What is the significance of each role?  Who are the secondary actors and what roles do they play?  What is the significance of their roles?

4. What is the overall theme of this parsha?  What are the subdivisions, if any?


Parsha Specific Questions -- for extended discussion:

Chapter 6 (Begins with v. 8 in English Bible)

To whom were the instructions of YHVH directed in this parsha?  How is this different than the instructions of the previous parsha?  What is the first type of offering for which instructions are given?  At what time of day was the altar flame extinguished and when was it restarted?  What did the Kohen do before removing the ash and where did he take it?  List four reasons why YHVH carefully instructed the priests that the altar flames were not to be extinguished.  What parallels are there between that instruction and the concept of a living sacrifice by each believer.  What is the meaning and significance of Revelation 16:15 in relationship to the fire on the altar?

What is the next type of offering for which instructions are given?  What three ingredients were in this offering?  What portion was offered on the altar and what happened to the remainder?  What was the offering of Aharon and his sons on their inauguration day?  How did it differ from the previous offering?  What portion was offered and what portion was retained and what happened to it?

What is the next type of offering for which instructions are given?  Based upon your previous study, what portion was offered on the altar and what portion was retained?  What was done with the portion that was retained, by whom and where?  What happened to persons or things that touched it?  Under what circumstances was such an offering not to be eaten but offered in its entirety on the altar?


Chapter 7

What is the next type of offering for which instructions are given?  Into what portions was it divided and what was done with each?  What other types of offerings are described as belonging to the Kohanim?

What is the next type of offering for which instructions are given?  This offering could be brought for two purposes.  What were they?  What additional offerings were brought with it for the first type?  What is unusual about one of the types of bread that was to be brought?  Could it be offered on the altar?  Why or why not?  In what time period must the flesh of this offering be eaten?  In what time period could the other type of offering be eaten?  What happened to the leftovers?  What happened to one who would eat it on the third day?

In what condition must a person be to eat the flesh of the offerings?  What happened to any portion that was contaminated?  What would happen to one who ate the flesh of the offering to YHVH while in a contaminated or unclean condition?  What two items were Bnei Yisrael not to eat and what would happened to one who did so?  More specifically, what fat of what animals was prohibited?  What two organs were also prohibited?

Into what portions was the shlamim (peace) offering divided and who received what portions?  Who received the breast and who received the right thigh?  Why were these portions set aside to these persons?  To summarize, list the six offerings for which YHVH gave Moshe instructions for Bnei Yisrael to follow in bringing their offerings to him.


Chapter 8

What items was Moshe instructed to bring together for the inauguration of Aharon and his sons?  Who was to be assembled as witnesses and where?  What two groups of people were involved in the process of inauguration?  What purpose was served in having both present?  What was the first thing done to Aharon and his sons in the process of placing the vestments upon them?  List the items that were placed upon Aharon as the Kohen Hagadol?  What did Moshe anoint with oil to sanctify them?  How did he sanctify Aharon?  List the items that the sons of Aharon were dressed in.  How did Aharon and his sons identify with the bull to be offered?  Who slaughtered it and what was done with the blood?  What portion was offered on the altar?  What was done with the remainder?

Who slaughtered the first ram and what was done with its blood?  What was done with the remainder?  Who slaughtered the second ram and what was done with its blood?  What significance may be seen in each of the three locations where the blood was applied to the Kohanim?  Into what parts was this ram divided?  What was done with the first portion and what additional items were included in the process?  What part became the portion for Moshe?  What did he sprinkle upon Aharon and his sons and their vestments to sanctify them?  What was done with the remainder of the second ram and the bread that was brought?  How long was the period of inauguration?  Where did Aharon and his sons stay during this period and for what purpose?  How did Aharon and his sons respond?

The following questions are taken from the Torah study:

Compare and contrast Parsha Vayikra and Parsha Tzav as to their audience, purpose and contents.  When a sinner brought his sacrifice to the altar, what should he see in the death of the animal?  What characteristic of YHVH allows us to stay in relationship with him and what is the process by which we do so?  What was the purpose of the death of Y'shua HaMashiach?

When a person brought on offering to YHVH, what was the true source of his offering and what was he doing with it?  What lesson did it teach them and us about our possessions and the true ownership thereof?  What is the primary thing that YHVH wants from his people?  How does that relate to his primary goal and objective in creating mankind?

What parallels may be drawn between the anointing of the Kohanim with the blood of the ram and the believer in Y'shua being washed in the blood of the lamb?  In the process, to what have we been appointed and anointed?  How should that motivate us regarding our life and service to Y'shua our King?

What parts of the sacrificial system was nullified by the death of Y'shua and why?  What offerings were preserved and celebrated by the talmidim of Y'shua?  What terminated such celebration?  In what capacity is Y'shua HaMashiach described by the writer of the epistle to the Messianic Hebrews in chapters 7 and 8?  In what ways is he different than the earthly one?  What covenant will YHVH establish and over what two houses and when?  How will we know when this covenant has been established?  Has it been established yet?  Why or why not?  How does Rav Kefa (Peter) describe those who come to Y'shua HaMashiach?  For what purpose have they been called?  How are you to fulfill your role as a member of the royal priesthood?  What two characteristics of Y'shua HaMashiach must we display in our service as a priest before YHVH?

Why is Parsha Adumah (Bamidbar (Num.) 19) read in conjunction with this Parsha Tzav on the Shabbat?  What does it teach us about the ones who brought the offerings covered in the current parsha?  What is the great paradox of the Parah Adumah and what is the underlying message?  What does it tell us about the loving instructions of our Father and our response to them?  What parallels are there between the Parah Adumah and the sacrifice of Y'shua HaMashiach?


Closing Questions: For Personal Introspection

Why do you believe our loving Father provided us with this particular portion of his words?  What was his purpose and objective in preserving this portion of the Scriptures to this day?  What benefit do they have for Torah observant believers today?

What other insights has the Ruach HaKodesh given you in your study of this portion that you would like to share with the group?

What questions from this portion have you had that have not been answered by the study?

What impact do you think the study of the words from your Father in this portion will have on your life?  How do you plan to implement his instructions in this parsha in your life?

Silently pray for the Ruach HaKodesh to implant his words like seeds, to nurture their growth in your heart, and to enable you to respond fully as they do.