Weekly Sidra: Tetzaveh (you command)
Torah Portion: Shemot / Exodus 27:20-30:10
Haftorah: Yechezkel / Ezekiel 43:1-27

Tetzaveh, Tetsaveh, T’tzaveh, or T’tzavveh (תְּצַוֶּה — Hebrew for "you command,” the second word and first distinctive word in the parshah) is the 20th weekly Torah portion (parshah) in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading and the eighth in the book of Exodus. The name comes from from Shemot 27:20 which says: “You shall command,” as in the first verse of the reading, which says, “You shall [command] the sons of Israel, that they bring you clear oil of beaten olives for the light, to make a lamp burn continually” (Shemot 27:20). It constitutes Exodus 27:20–30:10. Jews in the Diaspora read it the 20th Sabbath after Simchat Torah, generally in February or March.

In last week’s parsha, Terumah, we read the details of the construction of the Mishkan, the sanctuary in the desert (later replaced by the Beit Hamikdash when the Israelites reached Eretz Yisrael, may it be rebuilt speedily in our days). This week we read about the equipment contained in the Mishkan and their use, and the priestly garments worn by the Kohanim in their service in the Mishkan, and the Kohanim’s consecration and their service.

This Torah portion continues to narrate the instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle, focusing particularly on the priesthood that was to serve in that sanctuary. The Israelites are commanded to make special garments for Aaron and his sons to wear while ministering as priests. After describing the priestly garments, the portion concludes with instructions for the ritual inauguration of Aaron and his sons into the priesthood.

The following Aliya summary will list the numerous laws in this Parasha, a total of 53 Mitzvot are commanded.

Note: On the Shabbat the Torah Reading is divided into 7 sections. Each section is called an Aliya [literally: Go up] since for each Aliya, one person “goes up” to make a bracha [blessing] on the Torah Reading. Here are this week`s aliyot:

1st Aliya: The Parasha opens with the commandment to use pure olive oil in lighting the Menorah. Aharon and his four sons were selected to be the Kohanim. The basic garments of a Kohen consisted of a turban, shirt, pants, and belt. The Kohen Gadol wore four additional garments: the Me’ill — a long outer robe; the Ayphod — a quilted vest or bibbed apron; the Choshen — jeweled breastplate; and the Tzitz — engraved, golden, forehead plate. The quilted vest is described in this Aliya along with the two Shoham stones. These were engraved with the names of the 12 Tribes and set on the shoulders of the Kohen Gadol.

2nd Aliya: The cloth settings for the Shoham stones are described along with the jeweled breastplate. The method of fastening the breastplate to the quilted vest is explained. The breastplate was a quilted garment set with 12 stones, each engraved with the name of a Tribe. Also describes how the making of the Choshen Mishpat (breastplate of judgment). It is formed of four rows, each row made up of three precious stones, for a total of twelve stones, one for each tribe. The Choshen Mishpat contained the Urim Tumim, a parchment on which is written God’s Divine Name.

3rd Aliya: The long outer robe is described. The hem of this garment was edged with small bells intended to announce the presence of the Kohen Gadol as he walked through the Bait Hamikdash (Temple in Jerusalem). (Note: From this the Jewish ethics derives that a husband, prior to entering the door of his own home, out of respect for his wife, should announce his arrival by knocking on the door.) The engraved, golden forehead plate and the Kohen Gadol’s turban are described, along with the four basic garments worn by all Kohanim. All the garments were hand made of the finest white linen. The special vestments of the Kohen Gadol were woven from a special thread spun from five different colored threads, including a thread made of pure gold.

This aliyah contains detailed instructions on how to make the clothes of Aharon and his sons that they were to wear while ministering in the sanctuary. Aharon’s service was in the Holy of Holies, and his sons’ service was elsewhere in the sanctuary, such as, working with the Mizbeach (the altar).

4th Aliya: The procedure consists of bringing Aharon and his sons to the door of the sanctuary, immersing them in a mikvah, then dressing them in the priestly garments described in the previous aliyah, then offering a sin-offering followed by a fire-offering.

5th Aliya: This aliyah continues to describe the consecration of Aharon and his sons. A procedure is detailed that is to be done to Aharon and his sons followed by another fire offering and then a wave offering. Aharon’s descendants are ordained here to inherit the priesthood. This procedure of consecration lasted seven days.

6th Aliyah: The seven day ceremony consecrating the Kohanim into their priestly service is detailed along with the consecration of the Mizbeach – Altar. At the end of the aliyah, HaShem says that He will dwell among the children of Israel, and be to us a God.

7th Aliya: The last vessel to be described is the inner, golden Altar, used to burn the daily incense offering. This offering, as well as the daily preparation for the lighting of the Menorah, could only be performed by the Kohen Gadol. The special mixture of incense called the Kitoret, could only be formulated for this purpose. We are warned to not burn any "strange incense" on it.