This week's Torah Portion is Tetzaveh. This translates to you command. This Parsha is the continuation of the instructions regarding the making of the Vestments for the High Priest and his sons. It also instructs us about the ordaining of the High Priest. This is the only Parsha of the last four Books of Torah that does not mention Moses' name nor has him speaking. In reading the different commentaries I learn that the Rabbis of old believed this happened for a few reasons. One being that Moses stepped aside to give Aaron and the Priesthood the spotlight. Another being that Moses wanted to ensure that we realize worshiping God is what is important and not make Moses into a cult following. I like both of the reasons because they are actually one in the same.

In this age of Celebrity, whom do you worship: God or people? Do you keep the spotlight on God or are you still trying to grab the spotlight for yourself?

While these may seem like easy questions, I want to challenge you to think about how enamored you get with others. If you are jealous of someone else's status and/or position, you are coveting. When you covet, you are no longer worshiping God; you are putting the spotlight on yourself. When you make Celebrities your role models just because they are famous, you are making a cult out of Celebrity and not worshiping God. When you forget how important you are, you are not worshiping God. When you stop seeking guidance from others and think that you can be "spiritual" on your own, you are not worshiping God.

What is important to you, Celebrity or God? Are you using your Spiritual Guides or do you believe you "got it" and don't need any help?

We have, in many ways, stopped being people of the Book. We have decided that the old ways don't work and there is nothing to be learned from them. We have a nation that says, "I can pay a fine and not admit guilt." We have companies and people that are more interested in the bottom line than in people. We have people who are more interested in serving themselves than they are in serving God and humanity. We have become a people who want it all and are not willing to sacrifice anything. We have stopped reading and relating Torah to our own lives. We have become people who "do" commandments and not "be" the commandment. Any and all of these statements may apply to all of us at any given time.

When are you acting in these ways? Are you aware of your actions each day? Do you think about what your actions say vis à vis what your words say? What is your daily Spiritual Practice?

Aaron and his sons are to be ordained through Korbanot, sacrifices. Korban in Hebrew means to draw near. How do they draw near? By offering up an animal that they lay their hands on and then slaughter for the errors they have made. Even the High Priest must acknowledge his imperfections. Do You?

May this Shabbat bless us with the strength to be commanded.

May this Shabbat bless us with the courage to stand up for God.

May this Shabbat bless us with the grace to accept that our actions and our words must be congruent. 

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Mark