Becoming Priestly

Parshat Tzav
Leviticus 6:1 - 8:36

Tzav repeats the description and procedure for the sacrifices discussed in the previous portion. Directed to Aaron and his sons, the procedures for the sacrifices and the explanation of the priestly portions are given in detail. The priests are here commanded to keep the fire on the altar burning perpetually.

God commands Moses to prepare Aaron, the Tabernacle, and Aaron's sons for the new priesthood. This includes washing Aaron and his sons, dressing them in ritual garments, and anointing Aaron and the Tabernacle with oil. During this ordination ceremony, a sin offering and a burnt offering are brought. Then a ram of ordination is slaughtered. Some of the blood is put on the right ear, thumb, and big toe of Aaron and his sons. Then Moses dashes the blood against each side of the altar. Specified parts of the ram, along with one cake of unleavened bread, one cake of oil bread, and one wafer are placed in the palms of Aaron and of his sons. This is a wave offering, which is then burned with the burnt offering.

Moses takes the best of the ram as a wave offering before God. Moses takes anointing oil and some blood from the altar and sprinkles it upon Aaron and his sons. He then directs Aaron and his sons to boil the flesh of the ram and eat it with the unleavened bread at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Moses explains that the period of ordination will last seven days and all that has been sacrificed and done that day is to be repeated on each of the following seven days.

Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah, by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden

For your Shabbat table:

• Part of this week's parsha talks about the special attired reserved for the priests. When is a dress code important?
• How does wearing a costume make you feel? Think of other times that you get dressed up and why you dress up for those occasions. How does dressing up for a holiday or going to services make you feel different or change your attitude about what you are doing?
• During this portion, the priests are commanded to keep the fire on the altar burning perpetually. Keeping the fire burning was a big task - can you think of anything you have to take care of like that? Why are you willing to make such an effort?
• The priests understood that every part of their job was dignified, even jobs that other people might not find nice or easy to do. What are some things that you have to do that you don't want to because you think they are gross or dirty? What are some household tasks that causes people in your family to complain when it is their turn to do it? What are some new ways you can approach that chore with a different attitude?
• In order to officially become a priest, Aaron and his sons (and all future priests) had to go through an special ordination ceremony that lasted seven days. Have you ever been part of a group that had a special ceremony and code of behavior? Was there anything special you had to learn?

And now.. this week's parsha in cartoon form:

All Sacrifices, All the Time

Parashat Vayikra
Leviticus 1:1 - 5:26

Vayikra begins with God instructing Moses to describe the various sacrifices to the Israelites. The five types of sacrifies are: a burnt offering (olah), the meal offering (mincha), the sacrifice of well-being (zevach shelamim), the sin offering (chatat), and the guilt offering (asham).

Olah, literally meaning "that which goes up," is characterized by burning the entire animal upon the altar except for the hide. The mincha offering consists of unleavened choice flour. A portion of it was to be burned on the altar and the remainder given to Aaron and his sons. All mincha offerings must contain salt.

An unblemished cow, sheep, or goat could serve as the offering for the sacrifice of zevach shelamim. An ordinance states that all the fat on the sacrificial animal belonged to God. Additionally, a prohibition against eating any fat or blood is included here.

These three types of sacrifices are voluntary and not brought for atonement. The chatat and the asham are both obligatory upon guilty individuals.

The chatat is to be brought by an individual or community which, unintentionally, commits a sin regarding any of the commandments. The specific offering to be brought was determined by one's economic condition. An anointed priest and the community are both directed to sacrifice unblemished bulls for the chatat. A chieftain sometimes referred to as a tribal chief is to bring a goat. A person from among the populace is to offer a goat or a sheep.

Four additional transgressions are described as requiring a chatat offering: (1) failure to come forward to testify, (2) touching an unclean animal or carcass, (3) coming in contact with human uncleaness, and (4) failure to fulfill an oath. For these transgressions, the offering, depending on the financial means of the transgressor, can be: a female sheep, a goat, two birds, or choice flour.

The asham offering is to be brought by an individual who had sinned by committing robbery or fraud. The penalty for such a crime is to restore the owner the item stolen, plus an additional one-fifth of its value, and then to bring a ram or its equivalent in money as a sacrifice. The asham also applies to the individual who has unwittingly sinned regarding God's sacred things.

The text describes the procedures for the people and the priests to follow for each of these sacrifices and the part of the sacrifice which is to go to Aaron and his sons.

Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah, by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden

For your Shabbat table:

• All of the sacrifices described in this parasha are sacrifices that were performed only through the time in which we had both of the Holy Temples in Jerusalem - once the second Temple was destroyed in 70 CE, Jews could no longer perform these sacrifices. The rabbis decreed that prayer, Torah study and acts of loving kindness replace sacrifices. When have you participated in prayer? In Torah Study? In acts of loving kindness? How do these things move you closer to God?
• Some of the offerings were given when the Israelites did not do their best, or when they made a big mistake - giving the animal to God was a way of saying they would do better next time. Think of a time when you hurt someone’s feelings or did something wrong. What did you do in order to ask for forgiveness? Did you have to give something back? Did you have to replace something? How did you earn forgiveness?
• Do you pray to God? What kinds of things do you tell God in your prayers?
• While it is possible to pray anywhere, what advantages do you think there are to attending services and praying at a synagogue?
• Since a synagogue service has a fixed order of prayers, how is it possible to use your own words and thoughts to talk to God?
• When do you feel thankful to God? What do you do when you feel that way?

Your weekly animated bit of Torah:

Wrapping up Exodus

Vayakhel (Exodus 35:1 - 38:20) and Pikuday (Exodus 38:21 - 40:38)

This Shabbat, we read TWO sections of the Torah (parashot, the plural of parasha, which is what we call the weekly reading). Why is this, you might ask. Our Torah, the five books of Moses, is divided into 54 parshiyot, which is curious when one realized that there are only 52 Shabbats and weeks in the year. In order to make everything work, some parashot are combined, and this Shabbat we read one of those combinations: Vayakhel-Pikuday. Since these two portions close out the book of Exodus/Shmot, you will encounter a bit of restating events that happened in previous parashot.

Synopsis: Parshat Vayakhel

Moses assembles the Israelites and reminds them of the commandment to observe the Sabbath as a day of rest. He further instructs them to kindle no light on Shabbat.

Then Moses reviews God's instructions concerning the building of the Tabernacle and calls upon the people to bring gifts to be used in its construction. He appoints Bezalel and Oholiab to be the chief artisans in the work of constructing the Tabernacle and to supervise the other skilled crafts people who will contribute to the building.

The Israelites respond to Moses' call for gifts, bringing so many riches that Moses has to proclaim that enough materials has been donated.

The skilled artisans make the cloth covering and the goat's hair tent over the Tabernacle, and they make the curtain, as well as the screen for the entrance to the Tabernacle.

Bezalel makes the gold covered Ark of acacia wood and the cherubim on the Ark cover. He makes the table for the bread of display and the seven branched menorah. Bezalel also makes the altars and the copper washbowl and stand.

Synopsis: Parshat Pikuday

Pikuday begins with an account of the materials used in the making of the Tabernacle. Bezalel and Oholiab create robes for the priests and special vestments for Aaron: the ephod, the breastplate, the robe for the ephod, and the frontlet, according to the pattern and the command of God to Moses.

When Moses sees that the work of the Tabernacle is complete, he blesses the congregation. Then God tells Moses to erect the Tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting on the first day of the first month and to place in it all of its specially crafted furnishings. Moses then anoints Aaron and his four sons as God commanded him.

When Moses has finished the work, the cloud of God fills the Tabernacle. When the cloud is lifted from the Tabernacle, it is a signal to the Israelites to break camp and begin to travel. But if the cloud is not lifted, they would not set out. Throughout the journeys of the Israelites, a cloud of Adonai is present by day and a fire by night.

Synopses are courtesy of Teaching Torah, by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden

For your Shabbat table:

• During the exodus from Egypt and the subsequent wandering in the desert, God often appears to the Israelites as a cloud - this happens again during Pikuday when a "cloud of God" fills the Tabernacle. What do you think a cloud of God would look like? When you try to imagine God, what does God look like?
• The first of our double portion of Torah, Vayakhel, describes the two talented artisans charged with constructing the Tabernacle, Bezalel and Oholiab. In order to be chosen for this very esteemed task, they must have been quite skilled in their craft. In what areas are you talented?
• In Parshat Vayakhel, Moses gathers together the Israelites and reminds them of the commandment to observe Shabbat. How do you observe Shabbat in your family?

Enjoy your double dose of Torah toons:

Parashat Vayakhel:

Parashat Pikuday:

When You Take a Census

Ki Tisa
Exodus 30:11-34:35

Summary of the Parasha:

• Moses takes a census of the Israelites and collects a helf-shekel from each person (30:11-16)
• God tells Mose to construct a water basin and to prepare anointing oil and incense for the ordination of the priests.  Bezalel and Oholiab, skilled artisans, are assigned to make objects for the priests and the Tabernacle. (30:17-37:11)
• The Israelites are instructed to keep Shabbat as a sign of their covenant with God.  God gives Moses the two tablets of the Pact. (31:12-18)
• The Israelites ask Aaron to build them a Golden Calf.  Moses implores God not to destroy the people and then breaks the two tablets of the Pact on which the Ten Commandments are writtten when he sees the idol.  God punishes Israelites by means of a plague. (32:1-35)
• Moses goes up the mountain with a blank set of tablets for another 40 days so that God will again inscribe the Ten Commandments.  Other laws, including the edict to observe the Pilgrimage Festivals, are also revealed. (34:1-28)
• Moses comes down from the mountain with a radiant face. (34:29-35)

Questions for your Shabbat Table:

1. One of the rules explained is that decorations in our holy places should not include images of people.  What kinds of images do you see in your sanctuary or chapel?
2. While the Israelites waited for Moses, they got nervous and asked Aaron to make an idol for them to worship.  Why do you think it was easier for them to pray to something they could see?

Time for your weekly Torah cartoon!

 

Looking Your Very Best

Parshat Tetzaveh
Exodus 27:20 - 30:10

In this portion, Moses is further told to instruct the Israelites to bring olive oil for lighting the lamps of the Tabernacle. The lamps, which are to be the responsibility of Aaron and his sons, are to burn from evening to morning for all time. Moses is told to ordain Aaron and his sons as priests.

The priests are to be adorned in special clothes. All the priests are to wear four garments - linen breeches, tunics, sashes, and turbans. In addition to these four articles, the High Priest (Aaron) is to wear a special robe of pure blue decorated at the hem with pomegranates and golden bells. Over this robe, the ephod - an apron-like layer woven of gold, blue, purple, and crimson - is to be worn. The breastplate, inlaid with precious stones and the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, is to be worn by the High Priest over the ephod. The eighth special item in the High Priest's dress is a gold plate engraved with the words "Kodesh LaYHVH" (Holy to Adonai) that is to be tied with a blue cord to the front of his turban.

The priests are to be ordained in a special ceremony which first involves washing, dressing, and anointing them with oil, and secondly, the offering of various sacrifices. These ceremonies are to be repeated for seven days.

The priests are to bring offerings twice daily to the altar in the Tabernacle. Further, they are to burn incense on an altar to be constructed especially for that purpose.

(Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden)

Questions for your Shabbat table:

• The word tetzaveh means to "instruct" or to "command" - why do you think the Torah is so specific in the descriptions of the Tabernacle (in last week's portion) and the dress code for the priests (in this week's portion)?
• In ancient days, being a Kohein - a priest - was a major Jewish job. What are some of today's Jewish jobs?
• According to the descriptions in the Torah (and this portion), the priests had very elaborate and fancy clothes to wear. What are some of your favorite outfits to wear when you want to dress up? For what special occasions do you wear those clothes?
• Read the descriptions of the priestly clothing. How are they similar to how we adorn our Torah scrolls?