Tzav: Two Types of Ashes: Embracing the Spiritual Downs
Liluei Nishmas Ita bas Chanoch Aharon Bistritzky
In this week's parsha, we encounter two mitzvot concerning the ashes left over on the mizbeach (altar) in the Beit HaMikdash and the Mishkan. The mizbeach had various fires and arrangements for different sacrifices and uses, resulting in a significant amount of ashes accumulating on its surface. The Torah prescribes two distinct services to address these ashes.
The first service, known as Terumat HaDeshen, was performed daily. A Kohen would ascend the mizbeach, take a shovelful of ashes, and bring it down the ramp to the floor of the Beit HaMikdash, where it would miraculously be absorbed into the ground, according to many opinions. The second service, Hotza'at HaDeshen, was not a daily occurrence. When the heap of ashes on the mizbeach grew too large, a Kohen would remove all the ashes from the Beit HaMikdash and take them outside of har habayit (Temple Mount) to a pure place, where the ashes would be scattered, thus clearing the space atop the mizbeach.
The obvious question arises: while the necessity of periodically clearing the ashes from the mizbeach is understandable, what is the purpose of the seemingly ceremonial act of taking a single spoonful of ashes and placing it on the floor next to the mizbeach, where it miraculously disappears? What spiritual significance does this ceremony hold?
Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, known as the “ Alter Rebbe” provides a fascinating explanation of the difference between these two avodot, Terumat HaDeshen, and Hotza'at HaDeshen. The ashes, he says, represent the spiritual residue left after the soul has been ignited by an uplifting experience - a Yom Tov, a wedding, or an engaging Torah lecture. After experiencing the joy of feeling spiritually elevated, we return to our daily lives and suddenly feel a void, a sense of inadequacy, or even depression. This experience is common for many, such as the challenging day following Simchat Torah or the night after Pesach.
The Torah guides us on how to navigate these emotional downs. It distinguishes between two types of "ashes": those that are holy and should be embraced, and those that weigh us down and should be discarded. The first type is holy ashes, which should be embraced. We feel down because the spiritual elevation has burst a bubble, making us realize that certain aspects of our lives need improvement or that we must integrate more spirituality into our daily existence. These feelings of inadequacy can be celebrated, taken with a spoon, and placed next to the mizbeach—a place of closeness to Hashem. This is a holy down, one that does not paralyze us but motivates us to grow. We acknowledge the situation we find ourselves in and strive to place ourselves in a better one.
However, there are times when we are faced with a heap of ashes that seem paralyzing, causing us to feel depressed and preventing us from moving forward after a spiritual high. These ashes need to be removed; we must rid ourselves of them like the ashes removed from the temple mount.
The two mitzvot concerning the ashes on the mizbeach teach us a profound lesson about navigating the emotional highs and lows of our spiritual journeys. By understanding the nature of these ashes and how to approach them, we can transform moments of despair into opportunities for growth and self-improvement, ultimately bringing us closer to Hashem.
Adapted from “Life Talks on the Parsha”