Tetzaveh
Ex. 27:20-30:10
Précis: The parasha continues with a description of ritual items in the Tabernacle, including oil for the lamp, priestly clothing, the ephod, breastplate, robes, plate, and miter. Aaron and his sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eliezer and Ithamar are designated as Priests and are consecrated with sacrifices and ceremony. The parasha concludes with a description of the daily sacrifices and incense to be offered at the Tabernacle.
Ex. 27:20 “And you will command the Israelite people to bring to you pure olive oil beaten for the light, to burn regularly.”
As is noted in The Torah: A Women's Commentary (New York: URJ Press and Women of Reform Judaism, 2008), in most years, this parasha is read in the week preceding Purim. The connection between the two is not clear on the surface. While the parasha dwells on details of the Mishkan, its accoutrements, and priestly clothing, the Purim story contains a story chock full of intrigue, plot twist, and the heroism of Queen Esther.
What the parasha and Purim, have in common is that they are both missing something. This week’s reading is the only one from the beginning of Exodus to the end of Deuteronomy where the name of Moses does not appear; the Book of Esther does not mention God.
Many scholars have attempted to explain why Moses is missing from this week’s reading. Some suggest that the reading coincides with his yahrzeit, others that he was jealous of Aaron’s role, and yet others that his absence results from his humility. But even if his name is not present, we know that Moses remains God’s chief agent. Though unnamed, he is clearly active throughout the parasha, obeying God’s imperatives to have others do the tasks assigned (as we see in the opening verse cited above). Moses is not absent; he is merely working “behind the curtain."
God is certainly acting “behind the curtain” in the Purim story. The Sages found evidence for this through their analysis of the word “megillah” which shares the same Hebrew root as the verb "to reveal" (g-l-h). The Book of Esther can be read as "revealing the hidden." God's presence is revealed through the actions of Mordecai and Esther, and in the final triumph of good over evil.
We sometimes forget in the excitement and melodrama of the Purim tale that God's presence in the world, even if “behind the curtain,” gives us the ability to navigate through the imperfections of life. Tetzaveh gives us another view of God’s role “behind the curtain” of detailed accoutrements and clothing. Today, when we no longer have a Temple or priests, we have a reminder of God’s presence in the ner tamid which adorns our sanctuaries. After all, the creation of the menorah was the first order of business for Moshe. This light has become our symbol for God’s hidden presence, which we certainly need in troubling times.
