Exodus 27:20–30:10
Parshat Tetzaveh
The people are commanded to bring pure olive oil for the Menorah's eternal light. The portion describes the priestly garments, including the ephod, the breastplate with its twelve stones, the robe and the golden head-plate, and the seven-day inauguration of Aaron and his sons, ending with the golden incense altar. From Shemot to the end of Bamidbar, it is the only portion in which Moses' name does not appear.
Essays
Parsha Tetzaveh – Chanukah in the Month of Adar A teacher or mentor must maintain high standards for himself or herself. But, when inspiring the students, he or she cannot demand purity. The main objective of mentoring is to find the lowest level of each individual and raise it up. TETZAVEH TETZAVEH Parsha Tetzaveh – Chutzpah You can’t live with it and you can’t live without it. We must have genuine respect for others even as we remain adamantly committed, bordering on Chutzpah, to our ideals TETZAVEH TETZAVEH Parsha Tetzaveh – Father Knows Best Our future redemption is achieved by making our connection to the past vitally present. TETZAVEH TETZAVEH Parsha Tetzaveh – Do You Hear? One major challenge of life is to know how to prepare for a momentous and inspirational occasion. A second challenge is to know how to follow up on it. TETZAVEH TETZAVEH Parsha Tetzaveh – Get Some Oil on Your Clothes Nature and nurture are two sides of one coin. While we must always refine our nature, the goal is to ultimately transform it. TETZAVEH TETZAVEH Parsha Tetzaveh – Hackers in the Temple Modern technology is a double edged sword. The positive is that Divine knowledge has become infinitely more accessible. It is a portent of the Final Redemption! TETZAVEH TETZAVEH Parsha Tetzaveh – Holy and Unholy Chutzpah Chutzpah is the most destructive force used by the arch-enemy of Israel—Amalek. To defeat Amalek we use a positive and holy form of Chutzpah. TETZAVEH TETZAVEH Parsha Tetzaveh – Jewish Bell- Bottoms Judaism, paradoxically, demands both external behavior and internal depth of understanding and feeling. There are time when we have to sacrifice the latter to achieve the former TETZAVEH TETZAVEH Parsha Tetzaveh – Just One Drop of Oil Oil is a symbol of light and inner purity. When dealing with inner purity, quantity becomes immaterial. One drop suffices. TETZAVEH TETZAVEH Parsha Tetzaveh – Mind Control The mind is a terrible thing to waste. Even worse is when the mind is not free but subject to the whims and caprices of our unbridled hearts and external pressures. TETZAVEH TETZAVEH Parsha Tetzaveh – Moses and Pure Olive Oil For the integrity of knowledge, both the teacher and student have to possess pure souls. TETZAVEH TETZAVEH Parsha Tetzaveh – Messianic Justice We are always judging others. We must learn to see beneath the surface. TETZAVEH TETZAVEH Parsha Tetzaveh – Raise Your Hands Above Your Head It is axiomatic in Judaism that as important logic and reason are; one must be able to go beyond reason and logic in the pursuit of G- dly goals. That is the meaning of Holy Chutzpah. TETZAVEH TETZAVEH Parsha Tetzaveh – The Great Offensive Living in a world filled with negative influences dictates that we have the right defenses. There are seven aspects of the priestly cloak, which we can all use to circumnavigate the minefields of society and even change them. TETZAVEH TETZAVEH Parsha Tetzaveh – The Inner Jew Society deems one with success, power, wealth and fame to be on top of the proverbial ladder. Judaism, by contrast, views the simple, and modest Jew who serves G-d sincerely and in in anonymity to be infinitely higher than those on top of society’s hierarchical value system. TETZAVEH TETZAVEH Parsha Tetzaveh – The Mystery of the Missing Jewel When something goes missing in our lives, we must look for what is missing in our own behavior. TETZAVEH TETZAVEH Parsha Tetzaveh – Two Forms of Communication Some people are great at receiving and absorbing inspiration from others. If you lack that talent, realize that G-d gave you the ability to discover your own inner jewel. TETZAVEH TETZAVEH Parsha Tetzaveh – Nothing Personal Selfishness is not restricted to material matters. When we share our deepest and most personal emotions to inspire others, that is a noble expression of selflessness TETZAVEH TETZAVEH Parsha Tetzaveh – Where Is Moses? When someone’s name is not mentioned it can suggest a lack his or her presence. But it can also mean that the other is so present that his or her name need not be mentioned. TETZAVEH TETZAVEH