Renewing Jewish Tradition

February 27-28, 2015 / 9 Adar 5775

Shabbat Tetzaveh-Zachor

Torah: Exodus 27:20 - 30:10

Maftir: Deuteronomy 25:17 - 25:19 | Shabbat Zachor

Haftarah: I Samuel 15:2 - 15:34 | Shabbat Zachor

“Renewing Jewish Tradition”

Dear Friends,

In this week’s Torah portion, God chose Aaron and his sons, Nadav and Avihu, to become priests of Israel.  They were to wear special garments while serving in the sanctuary to distinguish them from the typical Israelites.  These robes and vestments were to remind all Israel that holiness was to be the constant guide of their life.

Created by skilled craftsmen, the first of the priestly garments described in the portion was the ephod, a close-fitting coat worn between the arms and the waist.  It was fashioned from precious fabrics and two onyx stones, on each of which were engraved the names of six of the tribes of Israel.

Then came the breastplate of judgment, made out of pure gold and fastened to the upper part of the ephod by golden chains, and to the lower part by two golden rings bound by threads of blue.  The centerpiece comprised twelve precious stones set in rows of three (carnelian, chrysolite and emerald; turquoise, sapphire and amethyst; jacinth, agate and crystal; beryl, lapis lazuli and jasper), each engraved with the name of a tribe.

These stones are believed to have constituted the "Urim" and the "Tumim" (literally, "the lights and the perfections”) which Aaron was to wear whenever called on to pronounce judgment before God.

The robe of the ephod was made entirely of blue material; its hem was adorned with richly colored pomegranate shaped balls, alternating with golden bells, whose sound indicated to the congregation that the High Priest was performing his duties in the tabernacle.  The priest also wore a head covering - a linen turban on the front of which was attached a golden plate engraved with the words "Holy to the Eternal One."

We study this portion and its intricate detail each and every year, yet we no longer have a priesthood, nor do we offer sacrifices in the sanctuary.  Our scholars of Jewish history are quick to point out that as our Jewish civilization changes, echoes or vestiges of past practice stay with us.  While we no longer sacrifice animals, we do offer prayers in formal religious services.  The names of these services, Ma’ariv, Shacharit, Musaf and Mincha, are the actual names of the sacrifice services from Temple times.

While we no longer have a priesthood, the high priest’s robes are still with us in the form of our Torah covers.  The fabric mantle cover reflects the high priest’s ephod.  The Torah breast plate represents the high priest’s breast plate with its twelve stones for the twelve tribes.  Silver crowns with tinkling bells recall the priest’s head covering along with the bells lining the border of his coat.  Our Jewish tradition is in a constant process of dynamic reconstruction through which the voice and customs of our ancestors can be heard even in our day.  This is indeed the magnificent process through which our Jewish heritage and tradition are renewed from generation to generation.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow