Tetzaveh תְּצַוֶּה - You Shall Command
Torah Portion: Exodus: 27:20-30:10
Exodus 28:31–43
28:31 “You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue. 32 It shall have a hole for the head in the middle of it. It shall have a binding of woven work around its hole, as it were, the hole of a coat of mail, that it not be torn. 33 On its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, all around its hem; with bells of gold between and around them: 34 a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, around the hem of the robe. 35 It shall be on Aaron to minister: and its sound shall be heard when he goes in to the holy place before Hashem, and when he comes out, that he not die.
36 “You shall make a plate of pure gold, and engrave on it, like the engravings of a signet, ‘HOLY TO HASHEM.’ 37 You shall put it on a lace of blue, and it shall be on the sash. It shall be on the front of the sash. 38 It shall be on Aaron’s forehead, and Aaron shall bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall make holy in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always on his forehead, that they may be accepted before Hashem. 39 You shall weave the tunic with fine linen. You shall make a turban of fine linen. You shall make a sash, the work of the embroiderer.
40 “You shall make tunics for Aaron’s sons. You shall make sashes for them. You shall make headbands for them, for glory and for beauty. 41 You shall put them on Aaron your brother, and on his sons with him, and shall anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister to me in the priest’s office. 42 You shall make them linen pants to cover their naked flesh. They shall reach from the waist even to the thighs. 43 They shall be on Aaron and on his sons, when they go into the Tent of Meeting, or when they come near to the altar to minister in the holy place, that they don’t bear iniquity, and die. This shall be a statute forever to him and to his offspring after him.
Today’s Meditation:
In verse 36, we learn that Aaron is to wear a gold plate on his forehead with the words “Holy to Hashem.” This is most likely to remind him that all that is happening in the Tabernacle is for the holiness of Hashem. It’s not like he would forget, but sometimes even extraordinary things can become routine. It doesn’t seem like this could ever happen in the Holy Place where Hashem’s glory resides behind the veil, but maybe it could. Aaron was still living on our planet, a place full of sin and daily challenges. It would be a challenge to be in the presence of Hashem and commit 100% of your body, soul, and mind. How about today? Can we wear Hashem’s holiness on our foreheads? In essence, we do when we serve and love Him with our whole minds every day. Are we 100% about this 24/7? I doubt it. But we must try our best. Our best to leave behind the temptations of this world, and serve Hashem wholeheartedly in our minds (and actions) all the time. Think about wearing a plate with Hashem’s Name on your forehead today. Fulfill that responsibility with your actions.
Today’s Challenge:
Hashem cares about every tiny detail of our lives. This is reflected in today's reading, when Hashem commands Aaron to wear a robe with little bells on its hem. Therefore, the priests near him can hear him when he is in the Holy of Holies, as well as in the Holy Place. This makes you think about how sensitive and caring our Elohim is for us. I believe He is still that way today. He cares about the most minor details in our lives. And if this is so, shouldn’t we be honoring Him in all the small ways of our lives? Pay attention today and see if you are honoring Hashem in all the ways of your daily life. In your speech, thoughts, and actions.
