Tetzaveh – Peninim on the Torah

“And you shall bring the bullock before the Ohel Moed, and Aharon and his sons shall support their hands on the head of the bullock.” (29:10)

The animal which is sacrificed symbolizes the human body. Men must graciously acknowledge Hashem’s gift to them. As Hashem implored Avraham to offer his most beloved son to Him as a sacrifice, so, too, we symbolize our gratitude to Hashem for the gift of life, which our body receives. Our hands are placed upon the head of the animal to signify its substitution for our own head, for which we offer thanks. This demonstration takes place before the Ohel Moed which represents the dwelling place of Hashem, to whom we submit our service of thanksgiving. With the slaughter of…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tetzaveh, 5752

“And you shall make a plate (on the forehead) of pure gold.” (28:36)

A special characteristic of the (forehead plate) was that anyone who gazed upon it would be moved to feelings of remorse for his previous transgressions. These emotions often stimulated complete repentance. The Zohar states that this same characteristic also applied to one who inhaled smoke from the Ketores (incense). These are but a few examples of the exemplary form of Divine intervention which existed in the Bais Hamikdash. One needed only to seize the opportunity for complete spiritual development. The Alter from Kelm Z”l states that this attitude was inherent in Moshe. The pasuk (Shemos 3:4) states “And Hashem…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tetzaveh, 5752

“And you shall make around its edges pomegranates of blue wool… and golden bells around them. And it shall be on Aharon to serve, and the sound will be heard when he enters the Holy and when he leaves and thus he will not die.” (28:33-35)

The purpose of the priestly vestments was to distinguish the Kohen Gadol from the people, investing him with an aura of royalty. It is, therefore, noteworthy that one of the garments was a cloak designed with striking detail. The hem of the cloak was decorated with golden bells and pomegranates in order to herald the Kohen Gadol’s approach. The Midrash states that the Kohen Gadol’s entrance into the House of Hashem serves as a prototype for every individual as he enters the home of his friend – or even his own home. Courtesy demands that one give advance notice of…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tetzaveh, 5752

“And you shall make holy garments for Aharon your brother, for splendor and for beauty.” (28:2)

In his commentary on this posuk the Sforno states that “the Kohen shall be a teacher who will attract the respect of his disciples, their names, in turn, are engraved upon his heart and shoulders”. The Sforno is implying that the Kohen‘s position of leadership is consistent with his teaching relationship to the people. The special vestments lend dignity to his noble position, so that the populace, who are meant to be his disciples, will revere him. It is notable that the statement about the people as disciples refers to their names being engraved upon the hearts and shoulders of…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tetzaveh, 5752

“…To cause a lamp to burn continually. In the Ohel Moed, outside of the cloth partition that conceals the Testimony…” (27:20-21)

Various commentators reflect upon the two points emphasized by the pesukim regarding the Ner Tamid. Horav Shimshon Raphael Hirsch Z”l comments that, although the human mind turns towards the Torah as the source of spiritual sustenance, man must constantly be cognizant of its standing “outside” the Torah. The Torah has been presented to the human mind, not produced by it. Man must utilize the Torah in order to increase his knowledge, wisdom, and sophistication, but he can never inject his own enlightenment upon the Torah in an attempt to amend or reform it. He must always be aware of Paroches…

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“And you shall bring the bullock before the Ohel Moed, and Aharon and his sons shall support their hands on the head of the bullock.” (29:10)

“And you shall make a plate (on the forehead) of pure gold.” (28:36)

“And you shall make around its edges pomegranates of blue wool… and golden bells around them. And it shall be on Aharon to serve, and the sound will be heard when he enters the Holy and when he leaves and thus he will not die.” (28:33-35)

“And you shall make holy garments for Aharon your brother, for splendor and for beauty.” (28:2)

“…To cause a lamp to burn continually. In the Ohel Moed, outside of the cloth partition that conceals the Testimony…” (27:20-21)

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