What can children learn from Parshas Tzav?

Gratitude: The korban todah lasts forever, because saying thank you never goes out of style. We can thank Hashem, our parents and our teachers every day. No job too small: The kohen started every day by clearing the ashes. Helping set the table or tidy up is part of doing something great. Keeping the fire going: The fire on the mizbeach burned every day without stopping. Doing a good thing a little each day, like a daily bracha said slowly, keeps our own fire burning.

Parshas Tzav for Kids

פרשת צו

The instructions turn to the kohanim: the fire on the mizbe'ach that must never go out, and the seven days in which Aharon and his sons are prepared to serve.

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What happens in Parshas Tzav

Parshas Tzav speaks directly to Aharon HaKohen and his sons. Rashi explains that the word tzav means urging: do this eagerly, now and for all generations. The first instruction is the fire on the mizbeach, which must burn always and never go out. Every morning a kohen begins his service in simple linen clothes by lifting a scoop of ashes from the mizbeach; even the holiest work starts with a humble job.

The parsha then teaches the minchah, the chatas, the asham and the shelamim, including the korban todah, brought by someone who was saved and wants to thank Hashem. Chazal tell us that in the future all other korbanos will stop, but the korban todah, the offering of thanks, will never stop. Finally Moshe Rabbeinu gathers the whole nation at the entrance of the Ohel Moed. He dresses Aharon and his sons in their special garments and anoints them, and for seven days they stay at the Ohel Moed, preparing to serve.

Lessons and middos for children

Gratitude
The korban todah lasts forever, because saying thank you never goes out of style. We can thank Hashem, our parents and our teachers every day.
No job too small
The kohen started every day by clearing the ashes. Helping set the table or tidy up is part of doing something great.
Keeping the fire going
The fire on the mizbeach burned every day without stopping. Doing a good thing a little each day, like a daily bracha said slowly, keeps our own fire burning.

Questions for the Shabbos table

Why do you think the kohen's day started with clearing the ashes and not with something fancier?
Chazal say the korban todah will never end. What are three things you want to thank Hashem for this week?
The fire on the mizbeach never went out. What is one good habit you want to keep doing every single day?
If you were asked to do a job that seemed small or boring, how could you make it special?

How your child steps into the story

Your child arrives in the early morning at the Mishkan, watching the fire on the mizbeach glow as a kohen in white linen begins his day, and later stands with the whole nation as Moshe Rabbeinu dresses Aharon HaKohen in his garments. The story closes on the seventh evening, looking ahead to the eighth day of Parshas Shemini.