Tetzaveh – Page 15 – Peninim on the Torah

“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 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 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, 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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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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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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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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Sruly Schnair In Tetzaveh, 5754

“And you shall command Bnei Yisrael that they take unto you pure olive oil… And bring near unto you Aharon your brother … that they may minister unto Me (as Kohanim)… And you shall speak … and they shall make Aharon’s garments .” (27:20, 28:1,3)

The Torah emphasizes Moshe’s direct involvement in three tasks: obtaining oil for the menorah, appointment of the Kohen Gadol, and preparation of the bigdei kehunah, priestly vestments. In all other instances which relate to building the Mishkan and its various appurtenances, the words uagu, ,hagu, or vag,, are used. This phrase implies Klal Yisrael’s collective involvement. What distinguishes these three obligations that renders Moshe’s involvement essential? Horav Elchanan Sorotzkin z.l. posits that each of these three tasks require the direct supervision of the gadol ha’dor, prememinent Torah leader of the generation. He explains this in the following manner. The oil…

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

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

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

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

“And you shall command Bnei Yisrael that they take unto you pure olive oil… And bring near unto you Aharon your brother … that they may minister unto Me (as Kohanim)… And you shall speak … and they shall make Aharon’s garments .” (27:20, 28:1,3)

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