TETSAVEH_EXODUS XXVII:20-XXX:10
There is an imprecision in the previous chapters about who had to do what in the construction of the Mishkan and its different elements. On many occasions, the Torah states Veasita, “And you shall make,” instructing Mosheh to take direct charge of the elaboration of an object, as in the case of the wooden slats that crossed the rings of the Aron to move it. Even the elaboration of the Kaporet, the solid gold lid that rested on the Aron and at whose ends were the Keruvim, fell on Moses.
The first sentence of our Biblical section begins with the instructive: Veatah tetsaveh, “And you (Moses) shall instruct” the children of Israel to bring pure olive oil to feed the eternal light, located on the other side of the Parochet, the curtain that separated the Kodesh HaKodashim, the holiest place in the Mishkan. Much has been said and written about the absence of the name Mosheh in our chapters, which can be attributed to the fact that he is the central figure in the construction and elaboration of the Mishkan, and, therefore, making it unnecessary to name him. In addition, his name does not appear due to the division of the parshiyot that are read weekly, which is not explicitly contemplated in the text of the Torah.
Indeed, according to another equally ancient tradition, the Torah was read in a 3-year cycle that was totally different from the division into 54 weekly sections used in the present.
According to the Chachamim, God had to show a heavenly specimen of the Menorah, because Mosheh had difficulties with its elaboration. In the case of the copper basin used by the Kohanim, it is also clear that Mosheh took care of its manufacture.
It should be noted that the people participated in almost all the construction of the Mishkan and its belongings. And therefore, perhaps, Mosheh’s name does not appear, so as not to identify his person with the work exclusively. The Mishkan was the product of the effort of Benei Israel, the collective that left Egypt and now found its spiritual destiny, affirmed the existence of one God, whose earthly presence was symbolized by the Mishkan.
Moreover, the Chachamim, wary of possible misinterpretations, stated that God did not dwell in the Mishkan compound but in the bosom of the people. Thus, they interpreted the verse Ve’asu Li Mishkan veshachanti betocham, “They will make me a Tabernacle and I will reside among them”. A fundamental principle comes to light. While in Egypt worship was in the exclusive hands of the priesthood, who jealously guarded the secret of how to preserve the body of a deceased, in Judaism all the details of the sacrifices to be made by the Kohanim are exhibited. In the case of the construction of the sacred enclosure and its belongings, the entire people, men, and women, had a direct participation in its elaboration.
The above is a further demonstration of a characteristic of Judaism that imposes the fulfillment of the Law on all its members. Although during the existence of the Mishkan and the latter Beit HaMikdash the tribe of Levi had definitive duties, today there are no different obligations for a religious leader. Everyone, without distinction, must live according to the letter and spirit of the Law.
Judaism never depended on the fate of its leadership. Each person can lead the prayers and publicly read the Torah, after the indispensable preparation to do so. No legal or religious title or personality is required to conduct worship. Therefore, despite the persecutions and massacres perpetrated over centuries, Judaism was able to recover its course and destiny, because every Jew was a member of Mamlechet Kohanim and Goi Kadosh, “a Kingdom of Priests and Holy People.
MITSVAH: TORAH ORDINANCE IN THIS PARSHAAH
CONTAINS 4 POSITIVE MITSVOT AND 3 PROHIBITIONS
- Exodus 27:20 Prepare the luminaries of the Menorah (chandelier)
- Exodus 27:41 The Kohanim (priests) wear special garments
- Exodus 28:28 – The pectoral (Choshen) should not be separated from the apron (Ephod)
- Exodus 28:32 Do Not Tear the Apron (Ephod)
- Exodus 29:33 Eating the flesh of the Atonement Offering (Chatat) and the Guilt Offering (Asham)
- Exodus 30:7 Burn the incense
- Exodus 30:9 Do not burn incense or offer sacrifices on the Golden Altar (Mizbeach Hazahav)
