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Home -> 5760 -> Tetzaveh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Tetzaveh, 5760

“And they shall take unto you pure, beaten olive oil for the light.” (27:20)

  The Midrash cites the pasuk in Yirmiyahu (11:16): “Hashem has called you a verdant olive tree.” Why did Yirmiyahu compare Klal Yisrael to an olive tree? The Midrash explains that while all drinkable liquids mix with one another, oil stands alone. Likewise, Klal Yisrael does not mix with other nations. In an alternative exegesis, the commentators suggest that when other liquids mingle one cannot tell which liquid is above and which is below. Oil, regardless of with what it is mixed, always rises to the top. So, too, when Klal Yisrael performs the will of the Almighty, they ascend…

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Home -> 5760 -> Tetzaveh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Tetzaveh, 5760

“You shall make vestments of sanctity for Aharon your brother, for glory and splendor.” (28:2)

One Friday night shortly after he arrived in America, the Satmar Rebbe, z.l., spoke to his chasidim about the significance of wearing the European garb: Shtreimel,  fur hat, and bekishah, long silk frock. During his talk, he cited the Ksav Sofer’s comment regarding the pasuk detailing Hashem’s instructions to make Priestly vestments for glory and splendor. He explained that during the time of the second Bais HaMikdash, there were Kohanim who did not measure up to the Priestly standard expected of them. They needed the special vestments to remind them of their exalted position and its concomitant responsibilities. There were,…

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Home -> 5760 -> Tetzaveh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Tetzaveh, 5760

“They shall make garments of sanctity for Aharon your brother and his sons, to minister to Me.” (28:4)

Should it not have used the plural “l’Kohanam” “that they shall minister to Me?” After all, the garments were being made for Aharon  and his  sons,  who  were  also  to  become Kohanim serving in the Mishkan together with their father. Horav Mordechai Gifter, z.l., posits that the Kehunah, Priesthood, which was granted to Aharon’s sons was an extension of Aharon, because they were “tafel”, secondary, to him. They made themselves insignificant and subordinate in regard to their father. He was the Kohen; they were his sons. They did not attribute any consequence to themselves. They were Kohanim only because they were his…

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Home -> 5760 -> Tetzaveh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Tetzaveh, 5760

“This is the matter that you shall do for them to sanctify them to minister for Me.” (29:1)

The Kohanim were to be consecrated by means of the rituals which the Torah is about to describe. It begins with a sacrifice service, as explained in Sefer Vayikra, which would atone for various indiscretions in human behavior. The word, “davar,” which is translated as “the matter” can also be rendered as “the word.” Rabbeinu Bachya infers that the Torah alludes to the time when there will no longer be a Sanctuary and a Mizbayach upon which to offer sacrifices. At that time, we must resort to “words” of Torah and prayer as our vehicle to seeking atonement and meriting…

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Home -> 5759 -> Tetzaveh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Tetzaveh, 5759

Now you shall command the Bnei Yisrael. (27:20)

Hashem commanded Moshe to have direct personal involvement regarding the next three mitzvos: the preparation of the oil; the designation of the Kohanim; the selection of those wise and talented people who would make the Bigdei Kehunah, Priestly vestments, and build the Mishkan.  Horav Shabsai Yudelevitz, zl, interprets this pasuk homiletically.  He cites an incident in which a student of Rav Yisrael Salanter came to the famous founder of the Mussar movement, stating that he would like to go to Germany to give Mussar, lectures in character refinement and Torah observance, to the people therein the hope that he would…

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Home -> 5759 -> Tetzaveh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Tetzaveh, 5759

That they shall take for you pure, pressed olive oil for illumination. (27:20)

The oil that was used for the Menorah was to be pure, untainted by any olive particles or sediment.  The oil that was used for the Menachos, meal-offerings, was derived from crushed, rather than pressed,  olives.  Hence, this oil was not as pure.  The commentators render this disparity homiletically.  Horav Shlomo Sofer, zl, cites the fact that the Menorah and its light are symbolic of the Torah and daas Torah, its perspective.  When dealing with Torah perspective, we must retain the essence of purity.  We make no allowance for alien philosophies.  It must be pure – like the oil for…

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Home -> 5759 -> Tetzaveh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Tetzaveh, 5759

You shall make vestments for Aharon your brother, for glory and splendor. (28:2)

The Kohanim, especially the Kohen Gadol, were to wear vestments that reflected the nobility of their station and service.  The commentators offer a number of explanations for the terms “glory” and “splendor,” as well as the reasons for demanding that the Bigdei Kehunah be such garments that are similar to those worn by royalty.  Let it suffice that the Torah demanded that the vestments worn by the Kohanim were to be unique in their beauty, thereby dignifying the Kohanim and Hashem, Whom they served.  Indeed, if a Kohen served in the Bais Hamikdash mechusar begadim, not wearing all of the…

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Home -> 5759 -> Tetzaveh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Tetzaveh, 5759

It must be on Aharon to minister, its sound shall be heard when he enters the Sanctuary…and when he leaves. (28:35)

  The bells which were attached to the bottom hem of the Kohen Gadol’s robe obviously created a noise when he walked.  This noise was by design, in order to signal his entry and departure from the Sanctuary.  Menachem Tzion renders this pasuk homiletically.  All too often, when a congregation /community  or school chooses a rabbi / leader, we  hear praises about him. His merits are publicly lauded to impress people and,  in many cases, to justify his selection.  A few years later, when for various reasons he no longer satisfies the whims of the powers that be, rather than…

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Home -> 5758 -> Tetzaveh

Moshe Marcovich
In Tetzaveh, 5758

Now you shall command Bnei Yisrael…. (27:20)

Parashas Tetzave is the only parsha since Moshe’s birth  that does not mention his name explicitly.  Every mitzvah and command mentioned in the parsha, however,  is initiated with the word, “V’atah,”, “And you,” referring to Moshe.  Apparently, Moshe is the  prime focus of this parsha, although  his name is not recorded.  Why?  Chazal tell us that the curse of a tzaddik, even if it is contingent  upon specific conditions, takes effect despite the fact that  those conditions are not met.  When Moshe Rabbeinu entreated Hashem on behalf of Klal Yisrael after they sinned with the Eigal Ha’zahav, Golden Calf, he…

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Home -> 5758 -> Tetzaveh

Moshe Marcovich
In Tetzaveh, 5758

You shall make holy vestments for Aharon your brother, for glory and splendor. (28:2)

The Kohanim are to be clothed in vestments which reflect their wearers’ noble position.  These garments were similar to the garb worn by royalty.  They gave glory to Hashem as they lent splendor to the Kohanim who wore them.  The Kohen serves as the spiritual mentor to Klal Yisrael.  His total demeanor, including his clothes, must reflect the lofty position he holds.  He teaches Torah, the code of Jewish Law authored by Hashem.  As the Almighty’s representative for disseminating His Torah, his mode of dress must reflect dignity, sanctity and splendor.  When the people  gaze upon the Kohanim donned in…

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