Tetzaveh : You shall command. Ex 27:20 – 30:10

Tetzaveh: The Command for the Priesthood and the Eternal Light

Tetzaveh is the twentieth portion of the Torah, and its name means "You shall command." This title comes from the opening verse of the reading:

"You shall command the children of Israel to bring you pure oil of beaten olives for the light, to keep a lamp burning continually." (Exodus 27:20)

This command refers to the Menorah—the golden lampstand in the Tabernacle—which was to be kept burning at all times as a symbol of God's eternal presence among His people.

Following the instructions for the construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) in the previous portion, Tetzaveh shifts its focus to the priesthood that would serve in this sacred space. God commands the Israelites to make holy garments for Aaron, the High Priest, and his sons, who were chosen to serve as priests. These garments were designed "for glory and for beauty" (Exodus 28:2) and included:

The Ephod – a richly woven vest worn over the robe, fastened with shoulder straps set with onyx stones engraved with the names of the twelve tribes.

The Breastplate of Judgment – a square piece adorned with twelve precious stones, each representing a tribe of Israel.

The Robe of the Ephod – a blue garment with golden bells and pomegranates along the hem.

The Turban (Mitznefet) – worn by the High Priest, with a gold plate inscribed "Holy to the Lord."

The Tunic, Sash, and Linen Breeches – garments for both the High Priest and the regular priests.

The portion concludes with detailed instructions for the consecration ceremony of Aaron and his sons, which involved sacrifices, anointing with oil, and a seven-day period of ordination. Through this process, they were set apart for their holy service, ensuring that Israel would have intercessors before God.

Tetzaveh highlights the sacred role of the priesthood, the importance of divine instruction, and the continual presence of God symbolized by the Menorah’s eternal flame.

Questions this week

(A) Is the armour of God for a soldier or for a priest? How can we apply practically in our lives the significance of both the priestly garments from Exodus 28 and the armour from Ephesians 6:10-18, thinking them also in the context that we are grafted in Israel, which is a nation of priests (Exodus 19:16).

2. (B) Exodus 28:30 "You are to put the urim and the tumim in the breastplate for judging, over his heart, when he enters into the presence of YHVH. Thus Aharon will always have the means for making decisions for the people of Israel over his heart when he is in the presence of YHVH."

The words 'urim and tumim' mean 'lights and perfections'.

What can we take from this instruction for our own understanding, knowing that we have been grafted into this nation of priests?