Parashat Tzav

Where Vayikra addresed the people, Tzav addresses the priests. The fire on the altar must never go out. The priest removes the ashes each morning in linen garments. The portion sets out which parts of each offering the priests eat, where and by when, and forbids eating blood or the fat of sacrificial animals. Then comes the seven-day inauguration promised in Exodus: Moses washes and dresses Aaron and his sons, anoints the sanctuary and the priests, and offers the bull and the two rams, placing blood on their right ear, thumb and big toe. They stay at the entrance of the tent for seven days.