February 23, 2024 ·
A PEEK AT THE PARSHA
Theparshaopenswiththecommandmenttolight
the Menorah with pure olive oil. Each day Aharon would prepare the wicks and light the Menorah so there would always be light in the Mishkan. Aharon and his four sons - Nadav, Avihu, Elazar and Itamar - were chosen to be the Kohanim.
While the Kohanim were serving in the Mishkan (and eventually the Beit Hamikdash) they wore four articles of clothing. 1. Ketonet: a full length shirt (tunic) 2. Michnasayim: short pants 3. Mitznefet: hat 4. Avnet - long belt. The Kohen Gadol wore those four garments and an additional four. 1. Efod: an apron. On top of the
ONE BIG IDEA
From the time of Moshe’sbirth, thisisthe only Parsha missing Moshe’s name. One reason is because when Hashem first appeared to Moshe at the burning bush, Moshe incorrectly declined to be the leader and recommended Aharon instead. Since Parshat Tetzaveh discusses the clothing of the Kohanim, this was the ParshachosennottohaveMoshe’sname. Humility is a very important character trait, but it should never hold you back from doing even greater things.
Efod were the Avnei Shoham: two stones which hadthe namesof the twelve shvatim (tribesof Bnei Yisrael) engraved on them. One stone had six names and the other stone had the other six names. 2. Choshen: a breastplate with twelve stones which had the names of the twelve shvatim engraved on them. Each of the twelve stones was a different color. 3. Me’il: a long cloak. On the bottom of the Me’il there were bells and decorative pomegranates so that everyone could hear when the Kohen Gadol was walking. 4. Tzitz: a golden plate worn on the forehead with the words Kodesh L’Hashem (holy for Hashem).
Our Parsha ends with a description of the Mizbayach Hazahav (golden altar): the inner Mizbayach which was used to burn the Ketoret, the daily incense sacrifice. This sacrifice, as well as the daily preparation for the lighting of the Menorah, could only be performed by the Kohen Gadol. The special mixture of incense could only be used for this purpose.
TIMES - םינמז Candle-lighting: 5:21pm Havdalah: 6:18pm allah: 5:25pm
ד״פשת ד"י דא 'א ר Parashat Tetzaveh · תשרפ הוצת
PARSHA STATS
Mitzvot ..............................7 (4 positive, 3 negative)
Lines in the Torah ..............179 (33rd most)
Pesukim .............................101 (35th most)
Words ................................1412 (35th most)
Letters................................5430 (32nd most)
Year(s)................................2449
(Source: OU Torah Tidbits)
CHECKLIST
To be filled out after shabbat and brought in Monday.
Called someone to wish them a “Shabbat Shalom”
Went to shul
Participated in Hadlakat Nerot/Kiddush/ Hamotzi/Birkat Hamazon
Sang zemirot/songs
Wore Shabbat clothing
Helped prepare our home for Shabbat
Full Name: ______________________________
Class: __________________________________
Parent Signature: _________________________
DID YOU KNOW…?
Purim is celebrated in Adar Bet (the real month of Adar in leap year). But since we are not supposed to pass up opportunities to do mitzvot when they present themselves, we make a mini-Purim celebration in Adar Aleph. We are not allowed to be sad on those days. Did you know that a long time ago, if the rabbis decided to add an extra month after Purim had already passed, they celebrated Purim a second time in the added extra month?!
QUESTIONS
1. How many positive mitzvot are in this parsha?
2. True or false: It’s never possible to celebrate Purim twice.
3. True or false: Moshe’s name is not mentioned Parshat Tetzaveh
4. How many articles of clothing did the Kohen Gadol wear?
5. Thought question: Why did the Kohen Gadol need a garment with 12 stones, each with a name of one of the tribes of Israel, when he already had a garment with 2 stones with the names of the tribes on them?
