In this Shabbat’s weekly Torah portion Tetzaveh Exodus 27:20-30:10, continues the themes of last week’s portion, describing the clothing the priests must wear to serve in the Tabernacle, the process by which they are to be consecrated, and the offerings they must bring, both when they are appointed and on a daily basis thereafter. It ends with a description of the Altar of Incense which Moses is commanded to build.

Topic 1: Priestly Garments
Following closely on the heels of last week’s portion, Tetzaveh opens with a command to prepare pure olive oil for the eternal lamp which the priests must light in the Tabernacle. From there, the Torah goes on to describe the clothing which must be made for the priests. God tells Moses that his brother… Read More »

Topic 2: Consecration of the Priests
The Torah goes on to detail the process by which Aaron, his sons and their descendents will be anointed as God’s priests for all eternity. They must bring an offering consisting a a young bull, two unblemished rams, and a basket of different kinds of unleavened bread with oil. They must come to the entrance… Read More »

Topic 3: Daily Sacrifices
Once the consecration of the altar has been described, the Torah goes on to tell us what it will be used for in the future. Two lambs are to be offered on the altar daily, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The lamb offering will be accompanied by a flour offering mixed… Read More »

Topic 4: Altar of the Incense
The portion of Tetzaveh ends with the command to build another altar, this time a smaller one for bringing incense. It is to be built of acacia wood and covered in gold. It will have four raised corners, or horns, a crown of gold, and gold rings through which the gold-plated wooden staves will be… Read More »

Topic 5: Haftarah – Parshat Zachor: Shaul’s Misplaced Mercy and the Tragedy of the Lamed-Hey
Late on a cold winter night in January, 1948, thirty-five Palmach soldiers headed out surreptitiously carrying military and medical supplies on their backs to the besieged community of Gush Etzion which was cut off from the rest of the Yishuv. Dawn broke before they reached their destination and the convoy was spotted by an elderly… Read More »

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