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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Tetzave
Hashem describes to Moshe the special clothes to be worn by the Kohanim. Regular Kohanim wear four garments; the Kohen Gadol wears 8 (inc. a turban, robe, breastplate, tunic, etc). Each garment served to spur the people on to recognize & atone for a particular fault: The meil's (robe's) golden bells warned against lashon hara; the tall miznefet (turban) cautioned against haughtiness, etc. (See the Dvar Torah for more symbolism.)
The Choshen (breastplate) contained the Urim V’Tumim, a piece of parchment with Hashem’s 42-letter name written on it, folded & placed inside the Choshen. The precious stones of the breastplate contained the names of the Sh’vatim & other words, encompassing the entire Alef-Bet. When the Kohen Gadol asked a question of Hashem, the answer would light up in the letters of these words.
The Torah then discusses the 7-day inauguration ceremony held for the Mishkan. On the 8th day, Ahron & sons begin their service. The Torah prescribes the bringing of a twice-daily korban (korban tamid); & the construction of a golden ketoret mizbeyach, used to burn incense each morning & afternoon.
On an unusual note, Moshe's name doesn't appear in this Parsha, as Ahron & his fellow Kohanim take center stage.
The Haftora is from Yechezkel 43, "Ata Ben Adam."
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
