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Torah Parsha, Tetzevah
Submitted by Rabbi Dana Berntson
God tells Moses: “You shall bring forward your bother Aaron, with his sons, from among the Israelite, to serve Me as priests.” Exodus 28:1. Parsha Tetzevah continues with instruction for the Mishkan, the Portable Sanctuary. It also gives instruction for the role of the priests, Kohanim, in the service of the Tabernacle. Moses’s brother Aaron, the High Priest, takes center stage as we read about the tasks of the priesthood, their robes of office and their consecration.
It is the topic of much commentary that Moses’s name is not mentioned at all in this week’s parsha, Tetzevah. The omission stands out. God gives detailed instruction on how to make Arron and his sons special clothes and a special dinner and special sacrifice. Moses must step aside and let his older brother shine and receive all the credit.
Last week we spoke of how important it is to have a purpose in life. A mission so to speak. Something that is just for us, that fills our souls. We are all unique and thus we all have a unique mission to accomplish in this life. But how do we know what our purpose or mission is? When you’re a prophet like Moses, God tells you what to do and guides you in your mission. But living in the post prophetic era, how do the rest of us know what our purpose is and how we go about fulfilling it.
There are two main ways to find your purpose or mission. Number one, we can see what draws us in. Look at our strengths and do what we love to do and are naturally good at. We follow the signs and lead with our strengths and flourish and grow into what natural gifts God gave us.
The second way to find our mission is to look at our weaknesses. Bal Shem Tov, also known as Rabbie Eliezer, says that everything we experience in life is like a mirror being held up to our faces. We can learn from our flaws and notice our vices and go from there. We can identify our challenges and then aspire to do better, to do the work and grow.
Moses, our most important prophet, a truly legendary figure, still had shortcomings. We all do. He is a hero in the Torah, and yet he had his flaws and his times of being demoted. He committed murder, a big no-no of the 10 commandments. He had a speech impediment. He was told by his father n law to step aside and let others help do the work. He wasn’t doing it right on his own. Now, after all his devotion to God, his brother Aaron gets the fancy clothes and party.
Humility does not come from winning an award. Humility comes from being humiliated. One of Hillel’s most famous maxims, “My humiliation is my exaltation, my exaltation, is my humiliation.” Moses personified this. This is why he is a hero. Truly inspiring people, know great humility.
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