LEAD TIDBIT:
Sharp Contrast
Five calamities befell the people of Israel on the 17th of Tammuz, and five on Tish’a b’Av. On the 17th of Tammuz... the daily Tamid (sacrifice) ceased. The daily sacrifices - morning and late afternoon - serve as the continuation of our Sinai Experience. The Torah says of these T’midim: OLAT TAMID, a constant “burnt offering” that was made at Mt. Sinai... Sinai’s sanctity was transient; the Divine Presence left, and the mountain is devoid of k’dusha. It is through the Mikdash and Mizbei’ach that the sanctity of Revelation at Sinai continues. We made the commitment at Sinai over 3300 years ago, but we confirm it every single day with the T’midim (or hopefully, with the Shacharit and Mincha which temporar- ily replace the lambs of the T’midim).

Parshat Pinchas is read either right before the 17th of Tammuz (rare) or right after (most often). It is in Parshat Pinchas that we are commanded to bring the T’midim.

What a sharp contrast between the optimistic command in the sedra and the reality that the T’midim ceased on a Tammuz day so long ago. The calendar, in this case, is our reality check. The Torah is our “this is what’s supposed to be” check. They are so opposite each other.

And therein lies our challenge. This week’s sedra reminds us again - as we are reminded every Rosh Chodesh and as we are reminded whenever we say Korbanot at Shacharit (and some also say parts at Mincha too), of the special relationship we have (are supposed to have) with G-d.

The Tamid (and certain other offerings in the Mikdash) are supposed to be REI’ACH NICHO’ACH LASHEM. Pleasant fragrance to G-d. This is very special for us, to make a communal offering that G-d tells us is pleasing to Him.

We lost it. But we can get it back. G-d promises. When? It’s up to us.