Now you
shall command the Children of Israel that they shall take for you pure olive
oil, pressed for illumination, to kindle a lamp continually.
The
Midrash Tanchuma observes that usually the better oil is used for preparing
food, while oil of secondary quality is used for lighting a lamp. But
in the Tabernacle the best quality oil was reserved for the Menorah;
after-all the Menorah represents the sacred light of the Tabernacle/Temple.
Tetsaveh (Exodus)
28:13...
2nd Aliya
You
shall make settings of gold;
On
the Ephod's shoulder straps, two gold settings were made, one on each
shoulder. Two braided cables
hung downfrom the settings, attached to the edge of the Breastplate. These
were gold cables, not chains made of links.
Tetsaveh (Exodus)
28:31...
3rd Aliya
You
shall make the Robe of Ephod entirely of turquoise wool.
The
Robe was the garment that went over the tunic.This Robe (me'il, מעיל) was made of wool died
with the blood of the chalazon. Although the breastplate was
made of three types of wool, blue, purple and crimson, the Robe had to be
made completely of blue wool, which resembles the Throne of Glory. No other
material could be mixed with it.
Tetsaveh (Exodus)
29:1...
4th Aliya
This
is the matter that you shall do for them to sanctify them to minister for
Me; Take one young bull and two rams, unblemished;
According to the Midrash, the
unusual introductory expression used here implies that just as G-d is true
and permanent so are His Utterances, and therefore the appointment of Aharon
and his sons to the kehunah is everlasting (Shemos Rabbah
38:1).
Tetsaveh (Exodus)
29:19...
5th Aliya
You
shall take the second ram; Aharon and his sons shall lean their hands
on the head of the ram.
After the first ram is sacrificed
as a burnt offering, the second one shall be brought and sacrificed as a
peace offering. Before it is slaughtered, Aharon and his sons must place
their hands on the ram's head.
Tetsaveh (Exodus)
29:38...
6th Aliya
This
is what you shall offer upon the Altar; two sheep within their first year
every day, continually.
This olah-offering
(elevation-offering), made on behalf of the community every morning and
evening, is the most typical of the many sacrifices. It was
instituted as an expression of total devotion, of readiness to sacrifice
everything in the service of G-d, and of doing so not only on the Sabbath
and on festivals--at high points of our lives--but also, and more
especially, each day and every day, amid the usual routine of daily life.
Tetsaveh (Exodus)
30:1...
7th Aliya
You
shall make an Altar on which to bring incense up in smoke, of acacia wood
shall you make it.
The
Ramban explains that the Torah wished to indicate that the incense is
capable of appeasing Divine anger, following the issuance of the solemn
warning not to profane the Sanctuary. In case an offense is
committed, the incense is able to exercise its pacifying powers; the Torah
gives an example in Numbers 17:11.
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