The Spark of Intimate Resemblance: A Shabbat HaGadol D’Var Torah on Parshat Tzav

Abstract

In Jewish liturgical tradition, the last Sabbath before Passover is titled "Shabbat Hagadol," or the Great Sabbath. In 2015, the Torah portion read on Shabbat Hagadol was Tzav, which describes among other things the ceremony by which Moses ordained his brother Aaron and Aaron's sons as the first Cohanim -- priests -- of Israel.

This talk discusses both the ordination ceremony and some of the rituals and symbols of the Passover seder, along with other topics, under a common theme: exploring the mysterious process by which radical newness can arise out of the spark of intimate resemblance.

Keywords: Passover, seder, Parshat Tzav, Shabbat Hagadol, Moses, Aaron, Cohenite priesthood, Muhyi al-Din Ibn al-Arabi, matzah, maror, freedom, slavery, Sinai