Tzav: compensation
Tzav: compensation
Much of Tzav describes the portions delivered to the Kohen, the priest, in the sacrificial rite. The breast, the thigh, the hides, meal offerings. The Kohen is given some choice parts, in consideration of his effort and role in the sacrifice process.
When a person is paid alot for a service, especially an intangible service, the money is called "compensation." Doctors, lawyers, executives do not receive salaries or paychecks, they get compensation. Perhaps the idea is that the monetary payment is not so much for the service as it is for forcing the professional to spend her time in the service of the client, rather than engaged in some other activity ( sechar batalah).
Like the priest, these professionals are anointed to their service, They are elevated beyond the ordinary by parchments and initiation rites. They are permitted into private places .
The economic relationship between the Kohen and the people who compensate him is legislated by Divine command. It is hard to see how the system could work otherwise. I don't think that the Kohanim could have lived on tips.
The sacrificial rite forces one to look at the meaning of life. A life is taken. The bleating and groaning of the animal is silenced. The mystical communication of pleasure and pain that bound the animal to its owner and to all that came in contact with it, is ended - willfully - by the conspiracy between the owner and the Kohen. Now there is only blood and chelev ( Gd's portion) and cuts of meat and a fire to feed. There is no more breathing, heartbeating, feeding, walking, silent communication through the eyes. That was all temporary. It is sacrificed for something else, something less tangible, something akin to emptiness - expiation, compensation.
When a person is paid alot for a service, especially an intangible service, the money is called "compensation." Doctors, lawyers, executives do not receive salaries or paychecks, they get compensation. Perhaps the idea is that the monetary payment is not so much for the service as it is for forcing the professional to spend her time in the service of the client, rather than engaged in some other activity ( sechar batalah).
Like the priest, these professionals are anointed to their service, They are elevated beyond the ordinary by parchments and initiation rites. They are permitted into private places .
The economic relationship between the Kohen and the people who compensate him is legislated by Divine command. It is hard to see how the system could work otherwise. I don't think that the Kohanim could have lived on tips.
The sacrificial rite forces one to look at the meaning of life. A life is taken. The bleating and groaning of the animal is silenced. The mystical communication of pleasure and pain that bound the animal to its owner and to all that came in contact with it, is ended - willfully - by the conspiracy between the owner and the Kohen. Now there is only blood and chelev ( Gd's portion) and cuts of meat and a fire to feed. There is no more breathing, heartbeating, feeding, walking, silent communication through the eyes. That was all temporary. It is sacrificed for something else, something less tangible, something akin to emptiness - expiation, compensation.
posted by Sheldon Goldberg at 8:21 AM
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