Weekly Torah Portion: A Meeting with God

This week’s portion begins with the end of Exodus Chapter 27 and includes the instructions for Aaron and the priests in their worship roles — their clothes, the sanctification process they will go through, and some instruction regarding the altar, the...

Priestly Garments

Following closely on the heels of last week’s portion, Tetzaveh opens with a command to prepare pure olive oil for the eternal lamp which the priests must light in the Tabernacle. From there, the Torah goes on to describe the clothing which must be made for the...

Altar of the Incense

The portion of Tetzaveh ends with the command to build another altar, this time a smaller one for bringing incense. It is to be built of acacia wood and covered in gold. It will have four raised corners, or horns, a crown of gold, and gold rings through which the...

Daily Sacrifices

Once the consecration of the altar has been described, the Torah goes on to tell us what it will be used for in the future. Two lambs are to be offered on the altar daily, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The lamb offering will be accompanied by a flour...

Consecration of the Priests

The Torah goes on to detail the process by which Aaron, his sons and their descendents will be anointed as God’s priests for all eternity. They must bring an offering consisting a a young bull, two unblemished rams, and a basket of different kinds of unleavened bread...