D'Var Torah for Parashat Tzav from Rabbi Douglas Kohn
Dear Friends,
Torah reminds us that sometimes our words can be brusque.
I trust that we all know this, yet there are moments when, even for the most sensitive and forethoughtful person, our tongues get away from us. Especially this may be so when we are stressed, or staying at home for weeks on end with the same other person, watching troubling news reports, over and over.
Thus, note the teaching in our Torah portion this week. The Torah is about to describe the rituals for establishing Aaron and his sons as the priests of our people, and God instructs Moses to initiate the proceedings. God stated to Moses, “Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments and the anointing oil, the bull for the sin-offering, and the two rams…” (Lev. 8:2)
In a cursory reading, nothing appears out of order. However, Rashi, our medieval French Torah commentator found exception to the terseness of the command: “Take.” Rashi offered a temporizing explanation, to soften the seeming curtness of God’s command. Rashi wrote, “Take(win) him with words and draw (attract) him.”
Rashi presaged the iconic Dale Carnegie course and book, How to Win Friends and Influence People. Essentially, it was harsh and rude for Moses just to imperiously take his brother and his nephews and anoint them priests. Rather, they needed respect, kindness, thoughtfulness, and as Dale Carnegie would later assert, they needed to be able to develop their own interest and confidence in the priesthood. This would only come forward if they were approached with kindly words and allowed to develop their own capabilities. Brusque words, like “Take,” would only impede their progress, and the relationship.
Thus, Rashi captured an otherwise innocuous expression in our Torah portion. In a simple reading, we might modestly bristle at the snippy nature of “Take,” but overlook it; it was from God, after all. But, words from us – and our mouths – deserve careful attention, and ought not be overlooked, as much as possible. That… is the message which Rashi derives from “Take,” and which resonates in a world of social distancing and isolating in place.
Yes, sometimes our words can be brusque, and justifiably so. And, we should still endeavor to win with words, and draw others with kindness.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
Dear Friends,
Torah reminds us that sometimes our words can be brusque.
I trust that we all know this, yet there are moments when, even for the most sensitive and forethoughtful person, our tongues get away from us. Especially this may be so when we are stressed, or staying at home for weeks on end with the same other person, watching troubling news reports, over and over.
Thus, note the teaching in our Torah portion this week. The Torah is about to describe the rituals for establishing Aaron and his sons as the priests of our people, and God instructs Moses to initiate the proceedings. God stated to Moses, “Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments and the anointing oil, the bull for the sin-offering, and the two rams…” (Lev. 8:2)
In a cursory reading, nothing appears out of order. However, Rashi, our medieval French Torah commentator found exception to the terseness of the command: “Take.” Rashi offered a temporizing explanation, to soften the seeming curtness of God’s command. Rashi wrote, “Take(win) him with words and draw (attract) him.”
Rashi presaged the iconic Dale Carnegie course and book, How to Win Friends and Influence People. Essentially, it was harsh and rude for Moses just to imperiously take his brother and his nephews and anoint them priests. Rather, they needed respect, kindness, thoughtfulness, and as Dale Carnegie would later assert, they needed to be able to develop their own interest and confidence in the priesthood. This would only come forward if they were approached with kindly words and allowed to develop their own capabilities. Brusque words, like “Take,” would only impede their progress, and the relationship.
Thus, Rashi captured an otherwise innocuous expression in our Torah portion. In a simple reading, we might modestly bristle at the snippy nature of “Take,” but overlook it; it was from God, after all. But, words from us – and our mouths – deserve careful attention, and ought not be overlooked, as much as possible. That… is the message which Rashi derives from “Take,” and which resonates in a world of social distancing and isolating in place.
Yes, sometimes our words can be brusque, and justifiably so. And, we should still endeavor to win with words, and draw others with kindness.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
