March 15, 2010

D'var Torah

March 2010 Torah Portions

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Ki Tisa - Shabbat, March 6, 2010/ 20 Adar 5770

Up on Mount Sinai, God instructs Moses to take a census of the people and to collect a half-shekel from each person to be used for the service of the Tent of Meeting (the portable desert sanctuary). There is to be a special washbowl, anointing oil and incense used as part of the service in the Tent of Meeting. God appoints B’tzalel as the chief artisan, and tells Moses to remind the Israelites to observe the Shabbat as a sign of the covenant between God and the people, giving him two inscribed stone tablets. The Israelites then become anxious about Moses’ long absence, and prevailing upon Aaron to make a god/idol to lead them, he constructs a golden calf out of their jewelry. God tells Moses what the people have done, and threatens to destroy them. Moses pleads with God on behalf of the people, and returns to the camp, smashing the tablets and destroying the idol. Moses rallies the faithful, pleading with God not to forsake the covenant. God tells Moses to continue the journey, but that the people will be called to account for the sins of the golden calf.
Moses then asks to see God’ presence. God tells Moses that no one can see God’s face and live, but permits Moses to see God’s presence after it has passed behind him. Moses carves two new tablets, ascends Mount Sinai, and God renews the covenant with the Israelites. When Moses returns to the camp, the people see that his face is radiant, and they become fearful. Moses reassures them; from then on, he wears a veil except when talking with God or when speaking God’s words to the Israelites.



Vayakhel/Pekudei - Shabbat, March 13, 2010/ 27 Adar 5770

In these double portion at the end of the Book of Exodus, Moses assembles the community and reminds them to observe the Shabbat. He asks them to donate materials for the construction of the sanctuary. They bring more than is needed, and Moses issues a proclamation that no further gifts are needed. Artisans begin construction of the Tent of Meeting. B’tzalel and the other artisans create the priestly garments, as the desert sanctuary is constructed. God instructs Moses on how to dedicate the sanctuary and how to anoint the priests, which begins on the first day of the first month during the second year of the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness. When the work of construction was completed, the presence of God rested in the sanctuary. A pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, whenever the cloud would lift, the Israelites would move forward on their journey; when it settled on the sanctuary, the Israelites remained encamped.



Vayikra - Shabbat, March 20, 2010/ 5 Nisan 5770

Beginning the Book of Leviticus, God instructs Moses concerning the various offerings to be brought to the sanctuary – what they consist of(animals, grains, oils) and how they are to be made. The burnt offering was voluntary, was not brought for atonement and was to be completely consumed by the flame of the altar. The meal/flour offering was also voluntary and was not brought for atonement; a portion of it was given to the priests for their meal. The well-being offering was voluntary, not brought for atonement; a general offering of thanksgiving, a portion was given to the priests and the remainder was eaten by the offerer and his or her guests. The sin offering was brought by an individual or a community as atonement for having unintentionally violated one of the commandments. The type of offering depended on the person’s economic or social status as well as the nature of the sin. Four circumstances required a sin offering: failure to come forward to testify, touching the carcass of an unclean animal, touching human uncleanness and failure to fulfill an oath. The guilt offering was to brought by one who had misappropriated property or one who had unknowingly used objects designated for holy use in a profane manner.



Tzav- Shabbat, March 27, 2010/ 12 Nisan 5770

God provides further details regarding the role of the High Priest (Aaron) in the various offerings described in last week’s Torah portion in the opening of the Book of Leviticus. Ashes from the offerings are to be removed every morning, and the priests are to keep the fire of the altar burning continually. The offering of well-being is further clarified into two categories: an offering of thanksgiving and an offering in fulfillment of a vow, as a free-will offering. The fat from certain animals may not be eaten, and the blood is never to be eaten. Then, as instructed by God, Moses anoints Aaron and his sons as priests, washing them and dressing them in specially-created garments. Moses then anoints the Tent of Meeting (Tabernacle-desert sanctuary) and all of the sacred objects within it. Moses, Aaron and his sons offer sacrifices as part of the priestly ordination ceremony, which is conducted over a seven-day period.