Daily Chumash Sunday Tetzaveh: The Bigdei Kehuna

Parshas Tetzaveh

Pesukim: 101 [Siman: מיכאל]

Haftorah: Yechezkal 43:10-27

Rishon

1. The Menorah oil and lighting:

• Moshe is told to command the Jewish people to bring him clear crushed olive oil for illuminating the Ner Tamid [i.e. the Menorah]. The Menorah is to be placed in the Ohel Moed, outside the Paroches. Aaron and his sons are to make sure it is lit from evening until morning for all generations.

2. Appointing Kohanim:
   • Moshe is to bring near Aaron, and his sons, to become priests for Hashem. Aaron, Nadav, Avihu, Elazar and Isamar shall be priests.

3. The Bigdei Kehuna-Preistly garments:

• Make for Aaron, your brother, holy garments for glory. Speak with the wise, and they shall make the garments.
• The following are the garments:
  • Choshen [breastplate]
  • Eiphod [apron]
  • Meil [robe]
  • Kutones of checkered texture. [shirt]
  • Mitznefes [turban]
  • Avneit [belt]
• The material: The garments are to be made from gold, Ticheiles-Turquoise wool, Argamon-Purple wool, scarlet wool, and twisted linen.

4. The Eiphod:

• The material: The Eiphod is to be made from gold, Ticheiles-Turquoise wool, Argamon-Purple wool, scarlet wool, and twisted linen. It is to be the work of an artist.
• The shoulder straps: It is to contain two shoulder straps, one by each end. It is to have a belt which is likewise made of the same materials stated above.
• The Avnie Shoham: You are to take two Shoham stones and engrave on them the name of the tribes, six on each stone, following their order of birth. The stones are to be inserted into gold settings. They are to be placed on the shoulder straps of the Eiphod, one per strap, and Aaron is to wear them on his shoulders as a remembrance.