Parashat Tetzaveh 5784

by Rabbi Margie Cella

This week’s par​ashah begins with God addressing Moses, charging him to deliver a message to the nation, explaining in great detail how they are to construct a portable sanctuary and consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve as their religious leaders. The priests are instructed to light the menorah in the Tabernacle daily in perpetuity, providing a constant source of light. This is followed by a description of the special garments the priests would wear when serving in the Tabernacle; the garments of the high priest were to be worn by Aaron, and then passed on to the one designated as his successor as high priest in each generation. Through Moses, God transmits the instructions for the consecration of the altar on which the priests would offer sacrifices. It would have its first use during the ceremony of consecration of the priests, when multiple animals would be sacrificed, including a bull whose blood would be used to purge the altar by placing it on the horns and base of the altar. Finally, there is a description of the altar designated for burning incense as an expression of thanks once the sacrifices had been made.  

The Tabernacle was set apart as a holy place. God promised, “… there I will meet with you, and there I will speak with you; … And it shall be sanctified by My Presence.” (Ex. 29:42-43)

Today there is not one single place where God dwells. God’s presence can be felt in the synagogue, the study hall, the home, or in nature. Pirkei Avot tells us that when two or more of us come together to study and pray—that is where God can be found. Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Ba’Zeh – All the people of Israel are responsible for one another.