Parshat Tzav D'Var Torah

Parashat Tzav D’var Torah

Nissan 11 & 12, 5773

March 22 & 23, 2013

“todah”

7:11 thru 7:12

Vezot torat zevach hashelamim asher yakriv laHASHEM

This is the Torah of the peace-offering that one will bring to HASHEM.

 Im al-todah yakrivenu vehikriv al-zevach hatodah chalot matzot belulot bashemen urekikei matzot meshuchim bashamen vesolet murbechet chalot belulot bashamen

If he brings it as thanksgiving-offering, he shall bring along with his thanksgiving-offering matzah loaves mixed with oil, matzah wafers anointed with oil and loaves of saturated fine flour mixed with oil.

One of the first words that we learn in Hebrew school is the word, “Todah”, Thank you.  As a student and a pre-pubescent person, do we really understand the meaning of being Thankful, and the Hebrew word, “Todah”?

I look back at my own joyful and loving life, and although I was ‘Thankful’ for so many aspects of my life, did I really understand what “Todah” and appreciate and acknowledge? 

Of course I was thankful for my family and friends, my belongings, my upcoming Bar Mitzvah (which I studied for…and the party after), and of course I had the coolest bike ever with a peace sign on the high sissy-bar, and long chopper forks, like the motor cycle of easy rider!!!  I was sincerely Thankful for so many things back then, but again, “did I honestly understand the word, the meaning, the action, the needed outcome from the word, “Todah”?

I’ll answer the above at the end!

We can say the word; “Todah” is the acknowledgement of gratitude and appreciation to one who has performed a specific act.  There is another concept or understanding as well for “Todah”; the act of admission and that of concession.  When we confess to another person, we are in fact relaying our message of agreement with the other party, agreeing with their view.

This idea connects the two contrasting approaches to the meaning of , “Todah”, be it an expression of gratitude or as an act of admission, and this is an instinctive behavior.  One’s innate nature is to obviously be independent, aspiring, and eager to show one’s own capabilities of excelling in his or her own care, without asking or requiring assistance from another person.  Therefore, when one is showing appreciation for another, he or she is genuinely showing appreciation and gratitude that he or she really needs others, such as that specific person or persons.

This concept really applies to each and every person in his or her relationships with others, and is manifested greatly in one’s own relationship and attitude with that of G-D!

In our society today, we really believe it is our own doings and our own powers that we have performed our own greatness!  Stop, and let’s look and dissect and take a moment at that statement.  It is rather ludicrous that man or woman has his and/or her own power for greatness, without the acknowledgment and the divine power and the source of G-D!

By offering, “Todah”(Thankfulness), a person actually confesses  that he or she is rather nothing without the divine will of G-D!

Now, I’ll answer the question that I asked in the beginning; at a prepubescent age did I understand “Todah”? Or does any Bar or Bat Mitzvah aged student honestly understand?  Does any adult understand the true meaning and soulful understanding, and have a clarity and full comprehension?

Today I am so very Thankful that G-D has granted me life, and the abilities that I practice daily.  I do indeed say, “Todah” for what G-D has allowed me, for what G-D has granted me.

As we ALL walk daily, a day of good, or a day of need, remember the beautiful poem, “Footprints in The Sand”,

And the last line,

“And The Lord replied,

                          "The times when you have

                  Seen only one set of footprints,

          Is when I carried you my child.”

Thank G-D!

-Amen-