2020/5780

Parashat Tzav discusses the Korban Todah, the offering of thanks to Hashem, which someone brings to the Beit Hamikdash: “This is the law of the feast offering that one will offer to Hashem;. If he is offering it as a thanksgiving offering...” (Vayikra 7:11-12) The Gemara (Berachot 54b) derives from Sefer Tehillim (Perek 107) four specific categories of people who are required to bring a Korban Todah – someone who has endured a dangerous trip, being in jail, surviving a severe disease, or completing a sea voyage. 

The Midrash Vayikra Rabbah (9:7) states that the Korbanot Asham and Chatat will be annulled in the times of the Mashiach. The Yefei Toar explains that people will not have the same urge to sin, and that therefore they will not need to bring a Korban Asham or Chatat because they will not sin. The question stands, then, what about the Korban Todah? If there will be no more hardship or challenge why will we still need to bring it?

Netziv (s.v. Al Zevach Todat Shelamav) poses a seemingly unrelated question regarding the Korban Todah. How can someone be expected to eat the entire Korban—consisting of almost an entire animal, as well as forty loaves of bread —  all in one day? He explains that to finish the full Korban Todah someone would need to invite all his friends to help eat it. Inevitably, at this large gathering, the person bringing the Korban would speak about his experience and how Hashem helped him, thereby generating a tremendous Kiddush Hashem. 

This understanding helps us understand why we will still bring the Korban Todah in the times of the Mashiach. In the times of Mashiach we will understand the reason for calamities, that it was all for the best. After recognizing that everything is for the best, we will bring the Korban Todah, thanking Hashem for all the hardships. 

In the past couple of weeks, we have faced many hardships. From thousands hospitalized, considerable suffering and Kaddish not being said in memory of people’s loved ones, it is difficult to understand this crazy time through which we are going. However, that being said, we must realize that although we do not understand its reason, we must strengthen our Emunah in Hashem and realize that there is a reason why this is happening.