February 15, 2008

Parshat Hashavua: Tetzaveh Exodus 27:20-30:10

Continuing God's detailed instructions to Moses about constructing the Tabernacle and its contents, our Parashah open with a description of how the seven branched Menorah was to be lit at all times always. Though the term Ner Tamid is used, the text is referring to the Menorah, rather than the eternal light that burns continually in every synagogue.

The remainder of the parashah concerns itself with Aaron and the Kohanim. In great detail we are told of the various holy vestments that must be made for the priests when performing their duty and in particular for the high priest, the Kohen Gadol.

Harold Kushner on our Etz Hayyim describes the purpose as follows: "Drawing a parallel between the creation of the world and the fashioning of the tabernacle, commentators have noted that God made garments for Adam and Eve after creating the world and that God describes the special garments to be worn by the priests after fashioning the tabernacle. ‘Just as humans are the only creatures in the universe who do not rest content in their natural skin...the sons of Aaron who minister in their priestly office in the House of the Lord do not serve God in their ordinary, everyday garments" (N. Leibowitz). A uniform simultaneously invests the wearer with special authority (only special people can wear it) and diminishes the person's personal authority (anyone wearing it acquires the sense of being special). ‘Without these prescribed garments, the kohen is merely an ordinary individual and his ritual act becomes a personal gesture' (Hirsch).

The vestments of the Kohen Gadol consisted of 8 parts: the Ephod, the breastpiece, the robe, the frontlet, the tunic, headdress, sash and breeches.

The last part of the parashah provides instructions for the installation of the Kohanim in their office, a ceremony over which Moses would preside as priest himself. The 7 day ritual involves animal sacrifices, meal offerings, washing the body, robbing and anointing. While the ceremony is described here, we will not read of its actually taking place until we read Leviticus 8-9.

Shabbat Shalom
Candle lighting: Friday, February 15, 2008 5:19pm