Tzav

This Parsha speaks about more offerings on the mizbeiyach and mentions the korban todah, the thanksgiving offering. The korban todah was brought by four types of people: one who was in jail and was freed, one who was sick and became healed, one who traveled overseas safely, and one who traveled through a desert. We pray in shemoneh esrei, “וכל החיים ידוך סלה, and all of the חיים shall thank You forever.” The Mechaber writes that the word “חיים” hints at the four people” חבוש יסורים ים מדבר. These four types of people should be a korban todah to give appreciation to Hashem for His tremendous kindness for saving them from their difficult situation.

This korban todah consists of an animal offering and forty breads from four types of menachos, ten of each type. Ten breads were chametz, while the rest, the other thirty, were matzah. A person who brought the korban todah was obligated to give one bread of each type to the Kohen and the rest were left to him.  These thirty-six breads had to be eaten in a short amount of time; only one day and one night.

The Netziv asks why were there so many breads – forty of them? One person could not eat so many breads even if he wanted to! Also, we know that there are general groupings of korbanos: kodashei kodashim were eaten in one day and one night, while kodashei kalim had two days and one night to be eaten. The korban todah, which was kodashei kalim should therefore have been in the time of two days and one night to be eaten. Why is its time like that of the kodashei kodashim?

The Netziv explains that the purpose of the korban todah was to express one’s todah – thanks to Hashem for His great kindness. The most proper way to do this is amongst a group, since the more people present, the more he expresses his thanks for Hashem’s chesed. Having so many breads to be eaten in a shorter time than usual was in order that one should have to invite other people to help him eat all the breads. The Torah wants one to bring a korban todah and enable the person to express his thanks in public for the miracles and wonders Hashem performed for Him!

Avi Mori quoted HaRav Michel Birnbaum zatzal who adds, one who is healthy and well, certainly must express his appreciation to Hashem!

May we appreciate and thank Hashem for the chesed that He performs with each of us constantly!