Parshas Tetzaveh
by Rabbi Dovid Green
Last weeks parsha and this weeks go hand in hand. Whereas last week the
directives were given to collect the materials and construct the
tabernacle, this week the directives are given for the priestly garments in which the service was
performed. Upon examination, though, the Torah lists two materials which belong to the actual service
which takes place after the completion of the tabernacle, among those which were used for building it, and
making the priestly clothing.
In Parshas Terumah (25:6) G-d gives Moshe the list of things which were to
be collected from the Jewish Nation. Among them are oil for lighting the
Menorah, and several spices meant for making the anointing oil, and the
mixture of spices which was burned in the Sanctuary. We can better
understand the need to mention the anointing oil here, as the tabernacle
could not be used without its vessels and various other things being
anointed first. However, the spices and oil for the Menorah were used in
the actual service. Why are they enumerated here?
Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch (19th cent. Frankfurt) comments that the oil
for lighting, and the spices represent something which is the true
foundation of the Tabernacle. Without them its purpose cannot be realized,
and for that reason they are included among the materials needed for the
structure of the Tabernacle. First, we'll explain the Menorah. It
represents Torah. Torah is the thoughts of the creator. When analyzing and
internalizing His thoughts through Torah study, our minds are elevated to
the highest level of enlightenment. Enlightenment is never in a vacuum. An
enlightened person manifests his lofty thoughts in concrete action.
Otherwise, his thoughts are worthless. This is represented by the burning
of the spices. Just as the spices are consumed in G-d's service, we
dedicate our actions entirely to the service of G-d. The goal of the
Tabernacle is to act as a medium by which we dedicate our thoughts and
actions to that which is pleasing to G-d.
Again in this weeks parsha the Torah repeats the need to collect olive oil
to light the Menorah. This directive is still premature. The reasoning is
similar. G-d gave the Kohanim, the Temple Priests, the lofty goal of
spiritual leadership of the Jewish People. They were supported by the rest
of the nation so they would be able to pursue spiritual lives. They were
the standard bearers for the nation. For them Torah enlightenment was
essential to be able to set the example for the people who came to seek
their direction. Everyone would be able to see in them the paradigm of the
servant of G-d. This is why the parsha begins with the directive of
acquiring the oil for the Menorah even before the Priestly garment are
made. The oil represents enlightenment. The Kohanim need to see this as a
focus of their lives before wearing the clothing and looking the part they
had to fill. They needed to internalize and manifest the ideals before
representing them.
This is a focus in life of any serious student of Torah. One must place
one's intellect at the helm. What is truly good for us is often obscured by our desires. Often our hearts
dictate what is right, and our intellect
becomes a servant to those dictates. The truly great person submits his
actions to the dictates of enlightened thoughts, just as a horse submits to its rider. May we all come to
understand that which is pleasing to G-d, and act accordingly.
Good Shabbos!
Text Copyright © 1996 Rabbi Dovid Green and
Project Genesis, Inc.
