Parsha Mitzvot: Tzav: Mitzvah 133 – Concept 366

“This is the law of the meal-offering: The sons of Aaron shall bring it before God, to the front of the Altar. He shall separate from it with his threefingersful some of the fine flour of the meal-offering and some of its oil, and all the frankincense that is on the meal-offering; and he shall cause them to go up in smoke on the Altar for a satisfying aroma; its memorial portion unto God. Aaron and his sons shall eat what is left of it; it shall be eaten unleavened in a holy place, in the Courtyard of the Tent of Meeting shall they eat it (Vayikra 6:7-9).” The Kohanim must eat the remains of the meal-offerings (Rambam, Hilchot Ma’aseh ha’Korbanot – The Laws of the Sacrificial Procedure).

The Kohanim have successfully transformed something physical into a “Pleasing Aroma” on the Altar, using smell, the one sense not used in Eve’s sin, to reconnect to the Living Soul God breathed into Adam’s nose. They have repaired the connection between the sin of the man bringing the offering to the original sin. They, the Kohanim, have presented a magnificent gift from the “Bride,” the soul, to the King; God. They prepared the gift and made it beautiful. The King acknowledges their role in the gift and honors them in the most intimate rooms of the palace. (Eitz ha-Chaim)

Each time we transform something physical into a connection with God, (reciting a blessing) we have the opportunity to prepare and present a beautiful gift from the Bride to her King. (Think Moshloach Manot!) We can then experience the eating as a gift from the King to honor our gift!