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Tetzaveh

  • Tetzaveh 2020

    Gold is mentioned nearly 50 times in this sedra, far more than any other material. Gold covers most of the Mishkan and its furniture and it is topped with two solid gold cherubs. The High Priest is draped in gold - chains, bells, rings and even woven into the fabric of his garments. A gold head-plate crowns the ensemble.

    And we still regard gold as a symbol of success, status, and love.

    But today sourcing gold generates mountains of toxic waste and consumes massive amounts of precious water.

  • Tetzaveh 2018

    This Shabbat is Shabbat Zachor, Shabbat of Remembrance, when we read about Amalek, who attacked the Jewish people in the wilderness after they had fled from Egypt. This is always read on the shabbat before Purim to link Amalek with Haman who is said to be descended from Amalek. It is a tradition in Judaism to link all those who want to destroy the Jewish people with Amalek.

  • Tetzaveh 2017

    Every generation has its own Amalek, and it is difficult to avoid modern-day comparisons.  Shabbat Zachor – the Shabbat before Purim – is the Shabbat of remembering.  We are told that Haman was a descendant of Amalek, and therefore we are asked to remember that there is an ongoing force that pursues and challenges us as we journey through life.

  • Tetzaveh 2015

    There is a connection between Ayn Keloheinu and the Sedra of Tetzaveh.We all know that Ayn Keloheinu ends with the phrase “You are the one to whom we offer incense,.." and then we read the Rabbinic texts that relate to them. It is in the Sedra of Tetzaveh that we find the commandment of incense (Ex.30 ,7-10). Whilst Sephardi and Israeli custom is to say them daily, our, Ashkanasi custom is to read them only on Shabbat. The reason is that during the week, people might rush the text and misread them.

  • Tetzaveh 5774

    The Sidra this week has an unusual beginning, which cannot be found anywhere else. The first word in it is VE’ATAH, which means ‘AND YOU’. This is the first of four occasions when God addressed Moses in this way in relation to the construction of the Tabernacle. The first three instances are all in close proximity, one following the other. We then find it once more in the next Sidra of Ki Tissa. This form of language is unique to this story.

  • Tetzaveh 5773

    The Sidra of Tetzaveh is unique in that it does not mention the name of Moses.  All other Sidrot, since his birth, mention him.  However, in this Sidra, Aaron is at the centre of our attention and his name is mentioned many times. The Almighty’s decision to omit Moses name comes to stress the two types of leadership roles represented by Moses and Aaron, which had to remain distinct. Moses was the Prophet whose function was to dictate the laws and to demand obedience and Aaron’s function was to serve God on behalf of the people and give support and comfort to anyone in distress.

  • Tetzave 2013

    … Upon the hem of [the coat attach] … pompoms…..and bells of gold between them [Ex.28.33]
    Ideas can be taken from the detailed instructions the Torah gives us. The Torah was given "Ledorotachem" for each generation to find meaning.
    The Chafetz Chaim offers an explanation as to the meaning of the pompoms and bells alternatively attached to the hem of the High Priest’s coat. He quotes a commentary of Psalm 58 verse 1 given in the Talmud Hulin 89 a where the idea is expressed that the “faithful are silent, unless they are speaking Torah"

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