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Home -> 5751 -> Tetzaveh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Tetzaveh, 5751

“And bring near Aharon your brother.” (28:1)

The Ibn Ezra explains that Aharon was chosen to carry the mantle of priesthood since he was married to Elisheva, the sister of the famous Nachshon Ben Aminadav, who was the first one to enter the Red Sea. Rather than delve into the significance of being Nachshon’s sister, we may suggest another insight to be derived from the Ibn Ezra. It is the basic understanding that children are the products of their parents. Their character development is greatly influenced by the distinct character traits they individually inherit from their parents. The Ibn Ezra is teaching us that even the parents…

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Home -> 5751 -> Tetzaveh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Tetzaveh, 5751

“Aharon and his sons shall arrange for the lamps to burn from evening until morning.” (27:21)

The Kohanim were obliged to tend the lights of the seven-branched Menorah every morning and evening. The Kohain in charge was to kindle the seven wicks in the following order: working from the last light on the right side toward the center, and then working from the last light on the left side toward the center. The Sforno explains this procedure as intending to convey the central point of unity to which all Jews, no matter what their position – whether to the right or to the left – must convene and rally. In Parashas Beha’alosecha he explains that the…

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Home -> 5751 -> Tetzaveh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Tetzaveh, 5751

“Aharon and his sons shall arrange for the lamps to burn from evening until morning.” (27:21) – “And bring near your brother… to be Kohanim to Me.” (28:1)

Aharon was enjoined regarding the preparation and kindling of the Menorah even prior to his being selected as the Kohain Gadol.  This would seem to indicate that Aharon’s task of lighting the Menorah was exclusive of his position as Kohain Gadol. It was due  to  Aharon’s exemplary character traits that he merited the position  of  lighting  the Menorah, as well as being selected as Kohein Gadol.  The Menorah, being the symbol of the light of Torah which spreads  throughout the world, can serve as a vehicle from which to derive certain basic formulas for the proper approach to teaching Torah….

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Home -> 5751 -> Tetzaveh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Tetzaveh, 5751

“And take for you pure olive oil.” (27:20)

  “Hashem has called you a verdant olive tree.” (Yirmiyahu 11:16) What made Yirmiyahu compare Bnei Yisroel to an olive tree? All drinkable liquids mix with each other, but oil stands alone. So too, Bnei Yisroel, do not mix with the other nations. As it says (Devarim 7:3) “And you should not be intermarried with them” (Midrash). The Jewish people are gifted with a very special attribute. Similar to oil which does not mix with water, so too, Bnei Yisroel by virtue of their Divinely inspired nature cannot intermingle with other nations, even if it is their choice to do…

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