Tetzaveh - Reading #2

Tetzaveh תְּצַוֶּה - You Shall Command

Exodus:27:20-30:10

Reading #2 - Exodus 28:13–30

My Thoughts:

This is so wonderful in verses 29-30 that Aaron is “covering” his heart with the names of the twelve tribes on his breastplate, so that their “judgment” is in front of Hashem continually! Hashem makes a way for His people to be there with Him, even though not in person. It always is about Hashem’s love for His people. And that is you and me too! May we never doubt His love and protection. Things may get rough sometimes in this world, but our names are forever “in front” of Him. Good times and bad. And some day we will have the privilege of serving and loving Him forever. We don’t know what that looks like, but we do know it will be good.

Challenge:

Do you carry the names of the people who you love “over your heart”? By that I simply mean, do you care enough of those around you to pray for them every day? It is the best way to start the day, along with your cup of coffee, to appeal to Hashem for those you love -- to be safe and full of joy. But, most importantly, they will know Hashem and love and serve Him. This should be your daily prayer, before you start your day. Prayer does make a difference. Just like Aaron physically carrying the names of His people over his heart, be sure you are carrying those who you love over yours. It will make a difference in this world, for sure.

Reading #2 - Exodus 28:13–30

28:13 You shall make settings of gold, 14 and two chains of pure gold; you shall make them like cords of braided work. You shall put the braided chains on the settings.

15 “You shall make a breastplate of judgment, the work of the skillful workman; like the work of the ephod you shall make it; of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, you shall make it. 16 It shall be square and folded double; a span shall be its length, and a span its width. 17 You shall set in it settings of stones, four rows of stones: a row of ruby, topaz, and beryl shall be the first row; 18 and the second row a turquoise, a sapphire, and an emerald; 19 and the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; 20 and the fourth row a chrysolite, an onyx, and a jasper. They shall be enclosed in gold in their settings. 21 The stones shall be according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names; like the engravings of a signet, everyone according to his name, they shall be for the twelve tribes. 22 You shall make on the breastplate chains like cords, of braided work of pure gold. 23 You shall make on the breastplate two rings of gold, and shall put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate. 24 You shall put the two braided chains of gold in the two rings at the ends of the breastplate. 25 The other two ends of the two braided chains you shall put on the two settings, and put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod in its forepart. 26 You shall make two rings of gold, and you shall put them on the two ends of the breastplate, on its edge, which is toward the side of the ephod inward. 27 You shall make two rings of gold, and shall put them on the two shoulder straps of the ephod underneath, in its forepart, close by its coupling, above the skillfully woven band of the ephod. 28 They shall bind the breastplate by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it may be on the skillfully woven band of the ephod, and that the breastplate may not swing out from the ephod. 29 Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment on his heart, when he goes in to the holy place, for a memorial before Hashem continually. 30 You shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be on Aaron’s heart, when he goes in before Hashem. Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel on his heart before Hashem continually.

Tetzaveh - Reading #1

Tetzaveh תְּצַוֶּה - You Shall Command

Exodus:27:20-30:10

Reading #1 - Exodus 27:20–28:12

My Thoughts:

This reading is a lot about symbolism. The priests were to be wearing the names of the twelve sons (tribes) on their shoulders. To me that seems to be like they were “carrying” the representation of the tribes into the Tabernacle. Like they were “representing” them before Hashem. Bringing a witness of them to Elohim. Some people believe that the remnant of Hashem’s people that will be brought back to Israel in the end times, will all belong to one of the tribes.

Priestly service is very important in the Tabernacle. The priests are the “liaison” between the people and Hashem. They have a particular “holy” role in the Tabernacle. Instructions in Torah must be followed or it seems like you will be consumed (like Aaron’s sons). Maybe this is the same for the rest of Torah and common people. We must follow the instructions Hashem has set forth in His Commandments or we too, could be “consumed”.

Challenge:

In this reading we have the menorah burning continually in the Tent of Meeting (Tabernacle). I never thought about it before but the Tabernacle does not seem to have any windows. Without windows there is no light. Except in the Holy of Holies, where the Shekinah glory would reside. What a beautiful light that would create! It seems like Hashem would want the Priests to see clearly, once inside the Holy Place. And I was thinking, it would bring a “warmth” from the light. 

Speaking about “lights” for Hashem, we can examine our own lives. Are we a “light” for Hashem? Do we present His love and care to others in a “comfortable” way? Are we illuminating His love and truth in our lives? Take a minute to ponder this. If you are not exhibiting a “light” for Hashem, you may want to change and make sure you do. If we are “lights” others may find their way to Him.

Reading #1 - Exodus 27:20–28:12

27:20 “You shall command the children of Israel, that they bring to you pure olive oil beaten for the light, to cause a lamp to burn continually. 21 In the Tent of Meeting, outside the veil which is before the covenant, Aaron and his sons shall keep it in order from evening to morning before Israel: it shall be a statute forever throughout their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.

28 “Bring Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, near to you from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to me in the priest’s office: Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons. 2 You shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. 3 You shall speak to all who are wise-hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they make Aaron’s garments to sanctify him, that he may minister to me in the priest’s office. 4 These are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a fitted tunic, a turban, and a sash. They shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons, that he may minister to me in the priest’s office. 5 They shall use the gold, and the blue, and the purple, and the scarlet, and the fine linen.

6 “They shall make the ephod of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the skillful workman. 7 It shall have two shoulder straps joined to the two ends of it, that it may be joined together. 8 The skillfully woven band, which is on it, shall be like its work and of the same piece; of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen. 9 You shall take two onyx stones, and engrave on them the names of the children of Israel. 10 Six of their names on the one stone, and the names of the six that remain on the other stone, in the order of their birth. 11 With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, you shall engrave the two stones, according to the names of the children of Israel. You shall make them to be enclosed in settings of gold. 12 You shall put the two stones on the shoulder straps of the ephod, to be stones of memorial for the children of Israel. Aaron shall bear their names before Hashem on his two shoulders for a memorial.

Tetzaveh - Week #8

Tetzaveh תְּצַוֶּה - You Shall Command

Exodus:27:20-30:10

Ezekiel 43:10-27

Matthew 5:13-20

1.1 First reading — Exodus 27:20–28:12

1.2 Second reading — Exodus 28:13–30

1.3 Third reading — Exodus 28:31–43

1.4 Fourth reading — Exodus 29:1–18

1.5 Fifth reading — Exodus 29:19–37

1.6 Sixth reading — Exodus 29:38–46

1.7 Seventh reading — Exodus 30:1–10