Parshat Tzav (Command)

The Torah portion is Tzav, Leviticus 6:1-8:36. In synagogues using the Triennial system, 5782 is year 3 and the Torah reading is Leviticus 8:1-8:36.

This parshah has more details about specific offerings and the procedures to follow for offering them. It speaks of most of these offerings being eaten by the priests or even by the person who offers them. It prohibits the eating of cheilev, usually translated as "fat," but it is a kind of fat that is easy to remove and hard to digest. It also commands that blood not be eaten, and kosher meat is known for being drained and salted to remove the blood. The priests are publicly clothed and anointed and offerings are made for them.

The haftarah is Jeremiah 7:21-8:3; 9:22-9:23. It begins by speaking of offerings that will be eaten, as the Torah portion describes. At the end, it jumps ahead a bit to give the reading a positive ending and not end on a sour note.