Parashat Tzav A weekly feature of Torah Tidbits to help clarify practical and conceptual aspects of the Jewish Calendar, thereby better fulfilling the mitzva of HaChodesh HaZeh Lachem... Just as one may not drink wine between the third and fourth cup at the Seder, so too there is never a HAFSAKA, interruption between the third and fourth of the Four Parshiyot - Para and HaChodesh. In fact, Parshat Para is unique among the four, in that the others a positioned relative to calendar events - Rosh Chodesh Adar, Purim, Rosh Chodesh Nissan, and Para is placed relative to another one of the Parshiyot. Specifically, Parshat Para is the Shabbat before Parshat HaChodesh. Ritual purity could be and was achieved at any time of the year, but the most common time was in preparation for Korban Pesach. Hence, the inclusion of Para among the Four Parshiyot. Ki Tisa, Vayaqhel (with or without P'kudei), Tzav, and Shmini share the honors of being Parshat Para, with Tzav being Para 16.3% of the time. Before this year, Tzav was Para most recently in 5757 (three years ago) and before that, in 5749 (eight years earlier). Next time it will be is 5784 - twenty-four years from now! Not the most WOW of stats, but it indicates that things aren't evenly distributed on the calendar.
[The Tzav Homepage]
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