2020/5780

Parshat Tetzaveh is all about the Kohanim and the Avodah in the Mishkan, including the Torah’s description of the Korban Tamid: ‘’ Vazeh Asher Taaseh Al HaMizbeach Kivasim Bnei Shanah Shenayim Layom Tamid; Et HaKeves HaEchad Taaseh BaBoker Ve’Et Hakeves Hasheini Taaseh Bein H’Arbaim,” “And this is what you shall offer upon the altar: two yearling lambs daily; The one lamb in the morning and the second lamb at twilight” (Shemot 29:28-39)

The Abarbanel asks shouldn’t the Korban Tamid be discussed in Vayikra when the rest of the korbanot are mentioned in Vayikra or in Bemidbar in Parashat Pinechas when we mention the Karbanot? 

Rav Aharon Lichtenstein answers that the reason that the Tamid is mentioned here is that the Tamid is part of the basic fabric of the Mishkan. He writes ‘’ From the fact that the Korban Tamid is mentioned in our Torah portion which otherwise deals exclusively with the building of the Mishkan, the Torah is telling us that the Tamid is not just another part of the regular functioning of the Mishkan, but rather it is an integral part of the building of the Mishkan itself. Like all the other details of the construction, the Tamid is mentioned here because it is as much a part of the Mishkan’s structure as the beams of wood and the roof‘ (The Daily Sacrifice - A Great Principle of the Torah)’.  Rav Lichtenstein seems to be saying that the Mishkan could not exist without the Korban Tamid. Additionally, we know the importance of the Korban Tamid from the fact that we learn the exact times for davening based on the Zmanim of the Korban Tamid (Berachot 26b). We know that we bring other Korbanot as a form of thanks ( Korban Todah), and as a plea of forgiveness (Korban Asham), so why does it seem like the Korban Tamid is the most important of all the Korbanot. 

I believe a reason why the Korban Tamid is so important is that it displays the consistency in our relationship with Hashem. In fact, the Maharal (Netivot Olam, Netiv Ahavat Reyah 1:4) quotes a Midrash cited in the introduction to the Ein Yaakov which says that one of the most important Pesukim in the Torah is the one quoted above. The Maharal explains that the idea of consistency is of paramount value in Judaism. Our lives are truly unpredictable and it is easy to forget about our religious obligations. However, we must always remember the Korban Tamid and the fact that we need to have consistency in our religious life. This can also explain why the Korban Tamid, is called Tamid. Tamid means eternal, and we need to remember the eternal obligations that we have, whether they are davening, putting on Tefillin or setting aside time to learn Torah. When, we recognize the importance of all the mitzvot, and the importance of never taking a vacation from our Halachic obligations, we will hopefully become better and stronger Jews, and we will be able to enhance our relationship with Hashem, and our connection to Him, because that is what is truly the most important aspect of life.