Parashat Tzav- Who Takes the Credit?
Who Takes the Credit?
Parashat Tzav introduces us to the Korban Toda, or thanksgiving offering (7:12), which, as the Rabbis explain, one was required to bring upon emerging safely from situations of danger. The Rabbis specified four situations that required the offering of a Korban Toda to express one's gratitude to the Almighty: recovery from an illness, leaving prison or captivity, safely traversing a desert, and emerging safely from the high seas.
Why are specifically these four groups of people obligated to offer a Korban Toda? What unique feature distinguishes these cases from other instances of life-threatening situations?
The Ben Ish Chai (Rabbi Yosef Chayim of Baghdad, 1833-1909) suggests that in these four cases, the individual is likely to attribute his salvation to other human beings, rather than to the Almighty. When a person falls gravely ill, Heaven forbid, and then recovers, his immediate reaction is to thank his physicians and nurses for providing him with quality medical care. Similarly, a rescued prisoner will credit his release to the politicians or other men of influence who lobbied on his behalf and thereby secured his freedom. And travelers who arrive safely at their destination instinctively feel grateful to the crew and security personnel who guaranteed their safe and successful passage through dangerous areas, be it deserts or oceans.
Of course, we may – and must – employ all natural means at our disposal to guarantee our safety and well-being. We are encouraged to seek the highest quality healthcare, to appeal to people of influence on behalf of fellow Jews in crisis, and to hire professional crew members and security guards to guarantee our safety during travel. And we must indeed feel and express gratitude to those people who help ensure our well-being. At the same time, however, the Torah demands that we view them all as but messengers of God. Ultimately, it is not the physician who heals or the security guard who protects, but rather the Almighty.
In these four situations, there is a tendency not to look beyond the surface to recognize the true source of our salvation. Therefore, specifically in these cases the Torah requires an individual to bring a special sacrifice to express his debt of gratitude to God, to demonstrate that he gives the ultimate credit for his rescue to the Almighty, and not to anybody else.
In the dangerous world in which we live, many people place their trust in the government security agencies, relying entirely on these officials to guarantee our safety. In truth, however, placing one's trust solely in these people is a frightening prospect to consider. Devoted and hard-working as the security establishment may be, it is not possible for these officials to be everywhere at all times and guarantee every citizen's safety. At the end of the day, it is only God upon whom we can rely, and only by recognizing our ultimate dependence on Him can we truly feel safe and secure.
