Parashat Tetzaveh

'''Parshas Tetzaveh''' is the eighth parsha in the Book of Shemos and the final week of Shovavim-Tat during leap years. It contains 101 pesukim. For the Haftora; Yechezkel's prophecy about the Third Beis Hamikdash, is read.

==Menorah Service==
Hashem tells Moshe to command the Jews to bring him pure crushed olive oil for lighting the Menorah. It is to be lit each evening in a way that would last until the morning, by Aharon or his descendants, in its Ohel Moed location right past the dividing curtain separating it from the Araon. This Mitzva along with the Kurban Tomid were issued to Moshe as 'obligating commands', to reinforce their observance since both were continuous daily duties that involved spending money.<ref>Baal Haturim</ref> Lighting the Menorah is a commandment for all generations where applicable.

===Pure Olive Oil===
Olive oil used for the Menorah had to be completely pure from any sediments.<ref name="Rashi Shemos 27:20">Rashi Shemos 27:20</ref> First, olives from the top of the tree were gathered. These had received the most sun exposure, causing them to ripen first and produce the most transparent oil.<ref>Rashi Kepshuto</ref> Crushing of the olives was done in a small hand press and not in a grinding mill, to avoid the mingling of sediments into the oil.<ref name="Rashi Shemos 27:20"/> Only the first drop of each olive was fitting for the use in the Menorah. After this, the olives were placed in a grinder and the extracted oil was eligible for use with the 'Mincha' - grain offerings.<ref name="Rashi Shemos 27:20"/>

===Lighting the Menorah===
Each and every night the lamps of the Menorah were ignited. Enough oil was added to keep the flame going for the entire night, lasting until the morning.<ref name="Rashi Shemos 27:21">Rashi Shemos 27:21</ref>  A set amount of a half a 'lug' (between 6 and 10.6 fl. oz.) was used, since that measurement had been calculated to last through the longest nights of the year that fallout during the month of Teves.<ref name="Rashi Shemos 27:21"/> On shorter summer nights the same amount of oil was used, if any remained, it did not matter.<ref name="Rashi Shemos 27:21"/>  This oil would last past the night and the flames would generally burn well into the day.<ref>Rashi Kepshuto</ref>

When lightning each lamp, the Kohen had to hold the ignition flame by the wick until the entire thing caught on fire and began rising by itself.<ref name="Rashi Shemos 27:20"/> Simply lighting the end of the wick was not good enough.<ref>Rashi Kepshuto</ref>

===Omittance of Moshe===
When Hashem wanted to destroy the Jews following the sin of the golden calf, Moshe replied that if Hashem does so, then his name should be erased from the Torah. Although this self inflicted curse was conditioned on the materialization of the destruction which did not come to pass, a curse of a Tzadik must happen to some degree once uttered, even if it was dependent on a condition that was never fulfilled. Therefore Moshe's name is completely omitted from the Parsha of Tetzaveh, which is the only Parsha since his birth not to mention him by name and all references to Moshe are done in first person.<ref>Baal Haturim</ref>

==Bigdei Kehuna==
Hashem tells Moshe to separate Aharon and his sons; Nadav, Avehu, Elazar and Itamar from the rest of the Jews and turn them into priests. While this was to be done later, upon completion of the Mishkan,<ref>Rashi Shemos 28:01</ref> Moshe is told to create special holy garments of honor and glory for Aharon in anticipation of the inauguration event.<ref>Rashi Kepshuto</ref> These garments include the Choshen, Efod, Me’il, Katonet, Mitznefet and Avnet. They are to be created by those 'that have wisdom in their hearts', from gold, fine twisted linen as well as blue, scarlet and purple dyed wool.<ref>Rashi Shemos 28:05</ref> These garments were to initiate Aharon into Priesthood<ref>Rashi Shemos 28:03</ref> and were to be created from the Mishkan donations given to sanctify Hashem's name.<ref name="Rashi Shemos 28:4"/> They are to be worn by the Kohanim whenever they performed services in the Mishakan or even entered the Ohel Moed. Failure to do so was punishable by death.

===Efod / Apron===
The Efod was an upside-down apron, draped over the back of the Kohen Gadol's feet,<ref>Rashi Kepshuto</ref>  starting from a little above the waistline and reaching until his heels,<ref>Rashi Kepshuto</ref> and as wide as the average man’s back.<ref name="Rashi Shemos 28:4"/> It was constructed from three parts; the main body of the Efod, the 'Cheshev' waist straps and the 'Kitaphot' shoulder straps<ref name="Rashi Shemos 28:4"/> and used to increase his elegance.<ref>Rashi</ref> The main apron part of the Efod was slightly wider then the width of a human, so it would drape over the sides of the legs as well.<ref>Rashi Kepshuto</ref> It was made from gold, twisted fine linen and wool dyed in blue, scarlet and purple colors. These were embroidered using the 'Choshev' method that allowed for completely different designs to be made on each side of the created textile.<ref>Rashi Kepshuto</ref>

====Cheshev====
Coming out of the Ephod were two waist-straps called the 'Cheshev', extruding from both the right and the left of the top of its main section.<ref>Rashi Kepshuto</ref>  These were then tied like a belt around the body, to help hold the main part of the garment in place. They were tied above the waist, around the center of the stomach, parallel to the bottom of the heart<ref>Shover Zadim Parashat Tetzaveh</ref> and the elbows,<ref>Rashi Kepshuto</ref> a location that produces little sweat.<ref>Rashi Kepshuto</ref> It served a similar purpose as the Avnet belt but that was used to tie down the lower Ketonet tonic while the Cheshev was used to secure the upper Me'il - robe.<ref>Rashi Kepshuto</ref>  The Cheshev was woven as a continuation of the main body of the Ephod and unlike the Kitaphot was not produced separately and then sewn on.<ref>Shover Zadim Parashat Tetzaveh</ref>

====Kitaphot====
The Ephod had two shoulder straps called the 'Kitaphot' coming out from the top right and left of the Cheshev, from the section worn behind the Kohen Gadol. These straps were then worn going vertically up the sides of the back, curving over the shoulders and extending to the chest on  the front of the body.  Each shoulder was set with a large sardonyx stone with the names of six tribes engraved on it in the order of their birth. These served as a remembrance of the Jews in front of Hashem. Unlike the Cheshev that was woven as a continuation of the main body of the Ephod,<ref>Rashi Kepshuto</ref> the Kitaphot were produced separately and then sewn on with a needle.<ref>Rashi Kepshuto</ref>

'''Rings'''

Attached to these shoulder settings, were two gold chains that extended down along the chest and looped through two gold rings on the upper corners of the Choshen, then doubling over and extending back up to the Kitaphot where both sides of each chain were linked.<ref>Rashi Kepshuto</ref>  These attachments served the duel purpose of vertically aligning the Choshen to sit parallel to the heart and at the same time pulled the two Kitaphot inwards applying pressure so they would not slip off the shoulders of the Kohen Gadol as he bent down.<ref>Rashi Kepshuto Footnote</ref>

'''Soham Stones'''

Each shoulder of the Kitaphot had a large sardonyx stone set on it using Bezel settings with gold fully surrounding their circumference.<ref>Rashi Kepshuto</ref> Each stone had the names of six out of the Twelve Tribes engraved on it, in clear defined letters like those of a signet ring.<ref>Rashi</ref> The Tribes were listed in the order of their birth. On the right stone were Reuven, Shimon, Levi, Yehudah, Dan and Naftali.<ref>Rashi </ref> On the left stone were Gad, Asher, Yissachar, Zevulun, Yosef and Benyamin<ref>Rashi </ref> whose name was spelled out fully with two Yuds just as it is written at his birth in [[Parashat-Vayishlach|Parshas Vayishlach]].<ref>Rashi Kepshuto</ref> Each stone contained a total of 25 letters<ref>Rashi</ref> ('''Right''' 
= ראובן, שמעון, לוי, יהודה, דן, נפתלי  / '''Left''' = גד, אשר, יששכר, זבולן, יוסף, בנימין)

===Choshen / Breastplate===
The Choshen was a breastplate worn only by the Kohen Gadol, opposite his heart.<ref name="Rashi Shemos 28:4">Rashi Shemos 28:4</ref> It was made from a rectangle shaped cloth that was folded over to form a perfect square. On its front were embedded twelve gemstones and inside the formed pocket were held the Urim v'Tummim parchments. It was embroidered from thick threads composed of thinner threads made of gold, fine linen and wool dyed in blue, scarlet and purple colors.

====Threads====
Golden threads were produced by hammering a cluster of gold into a thin sheet and then slicing it into thread thin strips.<ref>Rashi Kepshuto</ref>  Each thin diameter sized golden thread was then twirled with six thin diameter sized threads of either blue, crimson or purple dyed wool or fine linen to produce a medium diameter sized thread.<ref>Rashi Kepshuto</ref>  Each medium  sized thread was therefore composed of seven thin threads, one of gold and six of its variety,<ref>Rashi Kepshuto</ref>  producing four distinct varieties (linen, blue, red and purple) of mid diameter threads. A thick diameter sized thread was then produced by combining one of each of the four varieties of mid sized threads together. Each thick diameter sized thread was therefore composed of 28 thin threads (6 linen, 6 blue, 6 red, 6 purple and 4 gold).<ref>Rashi Kepshuto</ref> 

====Gemstones====
The Choshen contained four horizontal rows, each with three gemstones embedded in it. On the stones were engraved the names of the twelve tribes, this way they were carried by Aharon over his heart when he entered the Holy and serve as a remembrance before Hashem constantly. 

'''Rows of the Choshen'''
# Odem, Pitdah, and Bareketh
# Nofech, Sappir, and Yahalom
# Leshem, Shevo, and Achlamah
# Tarshish, Shoham, and Yashpheh

====Attachment to Ephod====
Each of the Choshen's two upper corners had a gold ring that allowed the two doubled over golden chains linked to the Kitaphot of the Ephod to loop through it, holding it up<ref>Rashi Kepshuto</ref>  directly in front of the heart.<ref>Rashi</ref>  On the bottom two corners of the Choshen were another two rings. These allowed two doubled over blue dyed wool ribbons to loop through them and then connect to the two rings attached to the lower part of the Kitaphot,<ref>Rashi Kepshuto</ref>  where they connected to the Cheshev of the Ephod,<ref>Rashi Kepshuto</ref>  that lined up very near to the lower rings of the Choshen.<ref>Rashi Kepshuto</ref>  This lower fastening allowed the Choshen to be held in place and prevented it from bouncing and wobbling in all directions, away from the body of the Kohen Gadoel as he moved around.<ref>Rashi Kepshuto</ref>  Once connected, the Choshen is never to be removed from the Ephod.

====Urim v'Tummim====
In back of the Chosen the Urim and the Tummim were placed.

===Me’il / Robe===
The Me'il was a robe consisting solely of blue dyed wool, worn only by the Kohen Gadol. It was shaped similar to Ketonet - tunic but was worn above it as an outside robe, while the Ketonet touched the actual skin.<ref name="Rashi Shemos 28:4"/> The Me'il had an opening on its top similar to the opening of a coat of armor. It was turned inward and had a border around it, the work of a weaver, so it should not be torn. On the bottom hem of the Me'il there was a row of alternating golden bells and pomegranates. Each pomegranate was created from blue, purple, and crimson dyed wool. When Aharon entered or exited the Holy, the bells would make noise.

===Tzitz / Headband===
The Tzitz was a headband of pure gold with the words 'Holy to YKVK' engraved upon it. This was worn on the Kohen Gadol's forehead and was held up by straps of dyed blue wool that went over the Mitznephet. The Tzitz atoned for the sin of improper sacrifices and helped make the Jews favorable before Hashem.

===Katonet / Tunic===
The Katonet was a tunic of pure linen, woven in a checkered pattern of boxed indents,<ref>Rashi Kepshuto</ref> to produce an elegant design.<ref>Rashi</ref> It was worn by both the high priest as well as regular priests. The Me’il - robe was shaped similarly to the Katonet but was worn above it and only by the high priest, while the Ketonet touched the actual skin.<ref name="Rashi Shemos 28:4"/>

===Mitznefet / Turban===
The Mitznefet was a turban of pure linen. There were two versions of the Mitznefet; those worn by regular Kohanim which were tall and pointy and were generally referred to as 'Migbaot',<ref>Rashi Kepshuto Footnote</ref> while the one worn by the Kohen Gadol was more flat and domed<ref name="Rashi Shemos 28:4"/> and was always referred to as the 'Mitznefet'.<ref>Shover Zadim Parashat Tetzaveh</ref>

===Avnet / Belt===
The Avnet was a belt of pure linen created with embroidery work that secured the lower Ketonet tonic. It served a similar purpose to the Cheshev of the Ephod that was worn only  by the High Priest and used to tie down his upper Miel robe.<ref name="Rashi Shemos 28:4"/>

===Michnasaim / Pants===
The Michnasaim were linen pants that extended from the waist down to the thighs.

==Yimay HaMiluim==
An inaugural procedure was carried out by Moshe on Ahraon and his sons, each day for a period lasting seven days to secure their investiture. Each day a bull was brought as a 'Chatas'  - sin offering, serving as an atonement. This atonement performed upon the alter as well as its anointment with oil for a period of seven days helped sanctify it. Henceforth, the altar became classified as holy of holies, causing whatever touched it to become holy.

===Inauguration Sacrifice===
Moshe is instructed to bring an inauguration sacrifice which would be used to sanctify Aharon and his sons, consisting of one young bull and two rams, all in perfect uninjured condition. These were brought along with unleavened bread, unleavened loaves mixed with oil and unleavened wafers anointed with oil. All these were made from fine wheat flour and placed in a basket.

===Appointment of Aharon & Sons===
Aharon and his sons were brought near the entrance of the Ohel Moed where Moshe bathed them in water. He then dressed Aharon with the Katonet,  Me’il, Ephod, Choshen,  Mitznefet and  Tzitz. After this, Moshe took the anointing oil and poured it on Aharon's head. Aharon's sons were then clothed with Katonets, girdled with Avnets and had Migbaot high hats placed on their heads.

===Sacrifice of the Bull===
Aharon and his sons leaned their hands upon the head of the bull in front of Ohel Moed and there it was slaughtered for the sake of a 'Chatas'  - sin offering. Moshe then took some of the bull's blood and applied it with his finger to the horns of the alter. The remaining blood he proceeded to pour upon the base of the altar. Moshe then took the fat that covers the innards, the diaphragm with the liver, the two kidneys and the fat upon them and burnt them upon the altar. The flesh of the bull, its hide and its dung were burnt by Moshe in fire outside the camp.

===First Ram Sacrifice===
Aharon and his sons leaned their hands upon the first ram's head, which served as a 'Olah' - burn offering. Moshe then slaughtered the ram and sprinkled its blood all around the altar. He then dissected the ram into parts, washed out its innards and legs, then regrouped them with its head and other body parts, after which he burnt them upon the altar.

===Second Ram Sacrifice===
Aharon and his sons leaned their hands upon the second ram's head which served as an inauguration sacrifice. Moshe then slaughtered the ram and took from its blood and put it upon the cartilage of Aaron and his son's right ears, upon the thumbs of their right hands and upon the big toes of their right feet. He then sprinkled blood all around the altar.

Some of the sprinkled blood was taken by Moshe from the alter and then sprinkled along with anointing oil upon Aharon, his sons and their garments, making both the individuals and their clothing holy.

Moshe then took out the fat from the ram, the fat tail, the fat that covers the innards, the diaphragm of the liver, the two kidneys along with the fat that was upon them, and the right thigh. Then along with one loaf of bread, one loaf of oil bread, and one wafer from the basket of matzoth, placed all these upon the palms of Aharon and his sons and waved it a waving. Moshe proceeded to take this from their hands and burn it upon the altar, alongside the previously burnt ram that served as an 'olah' offering.

Moshe then took the breast of the inauguration ram and waved it, making it his portion. The waving of the thigh by Ahron and his sons and the waving of the breast by Moshe, helped sanctify these body parts of the sacrifice, making them a permanent allotment for the eating of the Kohanim from all future 'Shilomim' - peace offerings.

The flesh of the inauguration ram was then cooked by Moshe in a holy location and was eaten by Ahron and his sons with bread from the basket, at the entrance of the Ohel Moed. Their eating served the duel purpose of an atonement and in order to invest them with the full authority of the priesthood and sanctify them. These foods were sacred and were not to be eaten by anyone else. If any of it was left over until the next morning, it had to be burnt in a fire and could no longer be eaten.

===The Promise===
Hashem promises to sanctify the Ohel Moed and the altar, as well as Aaron and his sons, turning them into priests to serve Him. Hashem will meetings with the Jews in Ohel Moed and will be sanctified by His glory. Hashem will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel and will be their G-D.  They will know that He is their G-D, Who brought them out of Egypt, in order that He may dwell in their midst.

==Korban Tamid==
Twice each day the Tamid offering was sacrificed upon the altar, at the entrance of the Ohel Moed. Each offering consisted of a lamb in its first year, one was sacrificed in the morning and one in the afternoon. Included with each lamb was a 'Mincha' offering consisting of one tenth of fine flour, thoroughly mixed with a quarter of a 'hin' of crushed olive oil and a 'Nesech' libation of wine, measuring one quarter of a 'hin'.

==Mizbeach Hazahav==
The Mizbeach Hazahav was an alter used for the burning of the Ketoret incense. It was created from Shitim wood and was plated with gold. Constructed horizontally as a square measuring 1 cubit by 1 cubit, it was 2 cubits tall and had square horns extending from each of its four corners. A jagged, crown like border was added to its top, represented the 'crown of priesthood'. Two golden rings were added underneath its crown on its two corners that held the poles used to carry the Mizbeach. These poles were created from Shittim wood and then coated with gold. The Mizbeach Hazahav was placed in the center line of the Ohel Moed,  in front of the Parochet - dividing curtain and was classified as 'holy of holies'.

===Ketoret Offering===
Twice each day, Aharon or his descendants would burn an incense of spices upon the Mizbeach Hazahav. One Ketoret offering was brought in the morning while setting up the lamps of the Menorah. A second Ketoret offering was brought when the lights of the menorah were lit in the afternoon. It is forbidden to burn on the internal alter any alien incense, burnt offering, or meal offering, and no libation could be poured upon it.

===Yom Kippur Usage===
Each Yom Kippur, Aharon and every future Kohen Gadol would apply blood from the 'Chatas' - sin offering on the horns of the golden alter, performing an atonement.

==References==
<references/> 

{{Weekly Parsha}}

[[Category:Parsha]]