It is still winter. It is still
cold. It is still snowing. Our children still need extra time to put on all
their winter apparel before they go outside. My wife still complains about the
fact that winter lasts far too long. While we have a week and a half until the
end of February, winter still has its grip on us. Yet despite its icy grip, one
can still see the first vestiges of, dare I say it, spring. Daylight lasts just
a little bit longer. The sun sets just a little later. When at its apex, the
sun burns just a little warmer and a little brighter. Even though the wind still howls, snow
flurries still occur, our driveways are clear. As February draws to an end, we
know that we are weeks away from emerging from the darkness of winter into the
light of spring.
This Shabbat we read from Parshah
Tetzaveh. The focus of the Parshah is upon Aharon, Moshe’s brother, Aharon’s
sons, their position as the Kohen Gadol, (High Priest), their “work uniform” an
their preparations. Just like last week’s Parshah, Terumah, was chock full of
specifics and details concerning the construction of the Mishkan, Tetzavah
primary focus is upon the specifics and the details concerning the Kohen Gadol
uniform. From material to design, this aspect of the Parshah is a
tailor/fashion designer’s dream. Once the details for the uniform have been
taught, the Parshah concentrates upon the necessary preparations that the Kohanim
must engage in so that they are spiritually pure enough to make offerings on
the behalf of the people. Only then, when the construction is complete, when
the clothing is finished and the purification process fulfilled, then God will
rest God’s presence among the people.
The Parshah essentially focuses
upon the priesthood, its clothing and its preparation process. By definition,
the parshah is very limited in scope. After all not many of us come from the
Priestly family of Aharon and his sons. Yet God reminds Moshe Rabeinu as well
as us that all these details are necessary for the simple reason that God
wishes to dwell among Bnai Yisroel. It is interesting to note that Moshe is not
mentioned by name. Rather, he is referred to as Atah – You. Until now,
God spoke to Moshe and Moshe conveyed those instructions to those doing the
work. Now Moshe had to be personally involved as he is the one that will be
responsible for purity of the olive oil for the Menorah (7 armed candelabra), he
will personally designate the Kohanim and he must select wise and talented
people to make the sacred priestly vestments and build the Tabernacle.
Regarding God’s first command of Moshe, the Torah tells us, V’Atah
T’tzaveh et Bnai Yisroel VYikchu Eilecha Shemen Zayit Zach Katit La’Maor L’Ha’Alot
Neir Tamid – Now you shall command
the Children of Yisroel that they shall take for you pure, pressed olive oil
for illumination to kindle the lamp continually (Ex. 27:20). Rashi explains
that “continually” does not mean 24/7. Instead “continually” means that
the Menorah (was kindled every evening, even Shabbat, and burned from evening
until morning. Ramban, citing Sifre ( a rabbinic text of Midrash Halacha),
explains that “continually” indeed refers to the western most lamp of the
Menorah that burned 24/7.
Generally, light is symbolic of
wisdom, enlightenment. We also know that light is symbolic of God. Olive oil
provides the fuel for Neir Tamid the Kohen Gadol, the High Priest, who is pure
like the olive oil itself, embodies the pursuit of spiritual purity. The
clothes that he wears contribute to the notion that spiritual purity is exists
only within the Tabernacle whenever he put on those clothes. However the Menorah, the Ner Tamid, the
eternal light embodies the pursuit of holiness, spirituality and knowledge by
the rest of the people and not only the Priestly class. The pursuit of wisdom,
enlightenment and the attainment of holiness is a realistic goal for all, including Moshe Rabeinu, and Bnai
Yisroel. We attain wisdom,
enlightenment, and holiness through Torah study, and Mitzvot and by living our
lives in the pursuit of holiness. However those are activities we engage in
while we are conscious, involved and self aware. Those are activities that
occur when our “light” is already lit.
Unfortunately, in the darkness of our subconscious, in the darkness of
night, when we unresolved conflicts enter our sleep, or the existential angst
of life comes percolating to the forefront of our conscious that we awake in
the darkness. We look for light. We look for clarity. Our striving is neither
confined by time or space, hence it provides light 24/7. We are able to carry
that light with us where ever we go.
Peace,
Rav Yitz
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