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Parashat
Tetzaveh "You shall command"
12
February 2011
Exodus
27:20 – 30:10
Ezekiel
43:10-27
Hebrews
13:10-17
G-d
tells Moses to receive from the Children of Israel pure olive oil to
feed the "everlasting flame" of the menorah, which Aaron is to kindle
each day, "from evening till morning."
The
priestly garments, to be worn by the Kohanim (priests) while serving in
the Sanctuary are described. All Kohanim wore: the ketonet -- a
full-length linen tunic; michnasayim -- linen breeches;
mitznefet or migba'at -- a linen turban; avnet -- a
long sash wound above the waist.
In
addition, the Kohen Gadol ("high priest") wore: the efod, an
apron-like garment made of blue, purple and red-dyed wool, linen and
gold thread; the choshen, a breastplate containing twelve
precious stones inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel;
me'il -- a cloak of blue wool, with gold bells and decorative
pomegranates on its hem; the tzitz -- a golden plate worn on the
forehead bearing the inscription "Holy to GOD."
Tetzaveh
also includes GOD's detailed instructions for the seven-day initiation
of Aaron and his four sons Nadav, Avihu, Elazar and Itamar, into the
priesthood, and for the making of the Golden Altar on which the
ketoret ("incense") was burned.
Shlomo
Hamelech (King Solomon) wrote in Koheles (Eccleastes), “Let your
garments always be white and your head never lack oil.”
(Ecclesiastes 9:8)
This
week as I began studying for this Parashah, I read at its onset that GOD
commands the Israelites to bring pure oil from crushed olives for the
light, in order to keep the Menorah lamp burning continually. This
scripture is connected to the theme of maintaining joy in that which GOD
has given you already, an abundant life (John 10:10).
Shlomo’s
advice is very clear; live the life that you have been given now with
joy. Enjoy your food, your wine or some grape juice, your wife and
children, and your work, as long as you live. This message is simple
and very powerful, yet for many that advice is ignored.
Some who
have been given a new life, an abundant life, have forgotten what GOD
has done and the blessings He has given us. They choose, instead, to be
miserable rather to enjoy what GOD has given to us and what He has done
for us.
Have you
lost your first love? Do you remember your first encounter with
Messiah, your first encounter with your wife, the joy and amazement of
the child or children that He has given, the work that He has done for
our provisions and even more?. Many lose that joy, the abundant life
that our GOD has given to us. How can one lose these first loves if
their eyes are fixed on GOD? The answer is quite simple and biblical.
As Jeremiah writes, the heart is deceitful above all things (Jeremiah
17:9). We do not choose first the kingdom of GOD but set our hearts
more on earthly things trying to get more things that we do not now
have. We seek more cars or more luxurious homes. We look externally
instead of what God has given to us already, eternal life, a wife and
family, a warm secure place that He has given to us.
If the
treasures of this earth are what you want, then you will be miserable.
But if you truly want to have joy in your life then fear GOD and His
commandments, pursue the Kingdom of GOD and then you will get the
desires of your heart.
Shavua
Tov
Rabbi Z
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