The Best Dressed Priests
Do you think about how your religious leaders or representatives dress? Is there anything special about what they wear to do their job? what they wear every day? Do you think their clothing matters?
After the colorful, elaborate description of the splendorous Tabernacle last week, now G!d lays out for Moses how to dress the priests. They will be clothed in beautiful, shining, gem-bedecked finery, and they will be consecrated to serve G!d and the people in the Tabernacle service. Their clothing was one way to mark the priests and set them apart for the service they would render.
In Parashat Tetzaveh, we continue to see G!d’s desire for effort, beauty, and consecration. The Tabernacle is a place for worship; the priests facilitate the worship both through the people and in the place. In this parsha, G!d also gives instructions for making oil to keep the menorah lit, a light in the Tent of Meeting. The altar which is the avenue for expressing devotion, repentance, thankfulness, and fellowship with the Creator receives special attention, including the method by which the priests should sanctify this important Tabernacle implement.
While Moses is set apart on Mount Sinai, G!d keeps telling him how to set apart a community, dwelling place, servants, and worship. These continue to illustrate the idea and meaning of “holy” for the Israelites, and eventually for all hearers and readers of these texts.
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Komps Kaos is stressful, but I have finalized my bibliographies and will set exam dates this week.