March 3 - T etzaveh - Exodus 29:19-30:10

We learn in this week's parasha about the Ner Tamid, the eternal light, and the priests' special clothing. Then we are told of the consecration ceremony for the priesthood.
Tikvah Frymer-Kensky teaches that Tetzaveh "presents us Aaron and the priests as part of the sanctuary, as the bearers of its purpose." She goes on to explain that God’s sanctuary cannot stand empty for the purpose of the Tabernacle is to bring humans into contact with God. Aaron and the priests are the people’s representatives. But coming into contact with the most holy is fraught with danger. Aaron, the High Priest, must be properly prepared and protected from uncontained holiness. Contact with pure holiness results in instantaneous death. Like a spacesuit, Aaron must wear a “holy-suit” that allows him to endure what humans normally could not. This parasha teaches that we come into the realm of holiness only in the “holy-suit” God gives us.

February 24 Terumah Exodus 26:31-33

Make a cloth partition out of sky-blue, dark red and crimsom wool, woven together with twined linen. Cherubs shall be woven into it, such that they can be seen on both sides. Place it on four gold-covered acacia pillars, with gold hooks, set in four silver sockets. Put it directly under the fastenings, holding the tapestries together. Into the space behind this curtain, bring the Ark of Testimony. The curtain will provide division between the Sanctuary and the Holy of Holies.