Shalom dear friends,
Parashat Tetzaveh opens with the commandment to light the eternal lamp in the Tent of Meeting, and continues with the preparations for the construction of the Tabernacle. It describes the priestly garments and their sanctification, and also touches upon the anointing oil, the incense, and the altar.
The Connection Between Yeshua & Parashat Tetzaveh
Essentially, every topic in Parashat Tetzaveh connects to one or more of Yeshua’s teachings. Delving deeper into the Word of God, with the help of such connections, ultimately leads us to apply His Word to our lives. One example of such a connection is the commandment to light the Eternal Lamp, which resonates with Yeshua Who is called “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14), and Who also calls on us-as His disciples-to shine His light through our choices.
Anointing Oil
Of course, the description of the anointing oil is also significant to us as believers, because the word ‘Messiah’ means ‘Anointed One’ [with oil]. The original meaning of the word Messiah refers to a ritual for appointing someone to an important and central role, like a High Priest or a king. This is why the Scriptures refer to priests as ‘the anointed one’.
Similarly, kings such as Saul, David, and Solomon were also anointed for their royal position. This is why David calls Saul, ‘the Lord’s anointed’ (1 Samuel 24:6), and refuses to harm him.
On an interesting side note, the Mount of Olives is also known as the ‘Mount of Anointment’, as the foot of this hill once served as the location for the olive groves that produced the olive oil with which Israel’s kings and priests were anointed. One of these olive groves is the well known Gethsemane, where Yeshua prayed before being betrayed by Judas Iscariot.
According to Judaism, the title Messiah is also given to the most central figure Who will appear at some point in history to redeem the entire world, bring completion to the Torah, and bring world peace. This Messiah has many names in Judaism, such as: ‘Messiah, Son of David.’
As believers, we recognize the identity of the Messiah—the One Who redeems the entire world by granting atonement to everyone, through His name: Yeshua Son of David, Son of Abraham. He is the Son of God and the Savior of the world.
The Altar
Besides the topic of light, Parashat Tetzaveh also touches upon the interesting and important topic of the altar. If you’ve traveled the Land of Israel before, you might’ve noticed different-sized altars at different archeological sites.
Yeshua also mentions the word ‘altar’ in several contexts, including in a social setting between two people. Yeshua teaches that, if something stands between someone else and ourselves, we should leave our offering at the altar, and reconcile first (with the one we sinned against - or in case the other person sinned against us, read Matthew 5).
Then in Matthew 23, in the context of truthfulness and false oaths, Yeshua wonders what’s more important: the altar or the offering? “And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it.” (Matthew 23:18-20)
If we take a moment to read the Torah Portion in light of Yeshua’s words, the following verse stands out: “Then the altar will be most holy, and whatever touches it will be holy.” (Exodus 29:37) Here, the spirit of Yeshua’s words touches our integrity and honesty. Essentially, Messiah demands us to prioritize those qualities. Our ‘yes’ should be a true ‘yes.’ Building trust between people begins with us, and with the words we utter.
Altars Across Israel
As mentioned a few paragraphs before, altars from different periods (and sizes) have been found at archaeological excavation sites throughout Israel. Some were used for idolatry, while others were for the worship of the God of Israel.
If you’d wish to see an example of an altar, I’d highly recommend a visit to the Tel Beer Sheva National Park, which is slightly east of the modern city of Be’er Sheva (or: Beer Sheba). This UNESCO World Heritage Site happens to be an important Biblical site, as it played a central role in the lives of our patriarchs-Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It’s also the national park where we plan to take our youth on their next field trip.
The Horned Altar
Tel Beer Sheva National Park has many points of interest, including a large horned altar. During the First Temple period, this altar was active and used for offering sacrifices. However, later on, this altar was dismantled.
During excavations at the site, horned stones were found in a wall of one of the storehouses. Archaeologists managed to reconstruct the altar from the various stones found there.
Today, the altar is displayed at the Israel Museum, and a reconstruction is displayed at the entrance to the national park.
King Hezekiah’s Reforms
This horned altar was dismantled as part of King Hezekiah’s religious reforms (8th century BCE). Before Hezekiah and during the reign of most Kings of Judah and Israel—even including the First Temple period—sacrifices and offerings continued to be made at various sites across the land—mostly to the God of Israel, but not exclusively.
One of the sides of the horned altar at Tel Beer Sheva, is engraved with what appears to be a snake, which some scholars connect to the bronze serpent that Moses cast toward the end of the Book of Numbers (Chapter 21).
Similarly, King Hezekiah’s reforms also refer back to Moses' bronze serpent: “In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah, king of Israel, Hezekiah the son of Ahaz, king of Judah, began to reign. (...) And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done. He removed the high places and broke the pillars and cut down the Asherah. And he broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the people of Israel had made offerings to it (it was called Nehushtan).” (2 Kings 18:1-4)
These verses show that King Hezekiah not only purified the Temple and renewed the worship of God, but also demanded the destruction of the high places, temples, altars, and monuments. It’s exciting to see the archaeological evidence of Hezekiah’s reforms and the destruction of local temples that were found at several sites, including: Bethel, Lachish, and Arad.
It’s just amazing that we’re able to travel the Land of Israel, and see the Bible coming to life.
Priestly Garments
Another major topic in Parashat Tetzaveh, is the priestly garments, which includes a robe, trousers, a turban, and an ephod that connects to two shoulder pieces which are set with onyx stones that are engraved with the names of the Tribes of Israel. We also read about the breastpiece with precious stones that are set in gold filigree. A variety of colors and materials are described, that include blue, purple, gold, and crimson red.
Everything was handcrafted by artists who were directly inspired by God Who filled the craftsmen with the spirit of wisdom, so that they could fulfill the commandment: “And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty.” (Exodus 28:2)
Shabbat Clothing
Perhaps you’re familiar with the term ‘Shabbat clothing’, but what’s behind the idea? Does God really care about what we wear? In a certain way, yes He does.
Parashat Tetzaveh explains that when we visit the House of God, we should be clean and dressed with suitable, elegant clothing. Dressing appropriately helps us to behave accordingly, and it even has the tendency to affect how others treat us, too.
Priestly Clothing
If we take a closer look at the detailed description of the priestly garments, we notice that the breastplate was crafted with precious materials (including gold), and set with twelve precious stones representing each of the 12 Tribes of Israel.
Beyond the materials, its placement is particularly significant: “They shall be on Aaron's heart, when he goes in before the Lord. Thus Aaron shall bear the judgment of the people of Israel on his heart before the Lord regularly.” (Exodus 28:29-30)
The breastplate is meant to be placed on the heart, for remembrance and judgment. As believers, the location of the heart is very important, as it connects to the two greatest and most important commandments in the Torah: to love God "with all your heart" and your neighbor as yourself.
The issue of the heart also connects to the divine promise spoken by prophets such as Jeremiah and Ezekiel, that God's law would be written on our hearts. Notice how the heart is at the core of Yeshua’s teachings, too.
The idea that the breastplate covers the heart for judgment, reminds of Yeshua’s The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9). There, Yeshua describes a man who’s confident in his own righteousness, and believes that he follows God’s will correctly.
In the same Parable, Yeshua also describes a tax collector who knows he’s in the wrong and doesn’t live according to God's will. As a result, he’s ashamed to approach, and even to look up to heaven: “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’”
This parable of Yeshua illustrates-among other things-the need to pray and stand before God with humility. And yet, above all, Yeshua encourages self-examination and repentance.
The tax collector beat his chest, and Yeshua connects this act to the priest who carries the Tribes of Israel on his heart—for judgment.
For judgment and forgiveness, for judgment and mercy.
Purim Webinar
We welcome you to join our Purim Webinar this coming Sunday!
Seminar
Joseph Shulam hosted the first of two lectures on how to preach the gospel. It was a great success and we’re looking forward for the second session, which will be on March 12th.
Shabbat shalom,
Yehuda and Lydia Bachana
Netivyah and the Roeh Israel congregation
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