Our Parsha this Shabbos is Parashas Tetzaveh and this Shabbos is also Shushan Purim , HaShem Helped us Defeat Amalek in Shushan . In the other areas of Persia , the fighting against us that HaShem Helped us win , took place on the 13th of Adar and we had rest from our enemies on the 14th of Adar , but in Shushan , where the greater amount of antisemitic enemies of ours in Persia stayed , who tried to overcome us , needed an extra day's fighting against them on the 13th and 14th of Adar and we had rest from our enemies on the 15th of Adar , which was then called Shushan Purim , which is on this Shabbos . The Haftorah for this Parshah of Tetzaveh , is Yechezkiel 43 : 10 - 27 , which , like the Parsha , also speaks of the Altar and Kohanim . In our last Parsha , the construction of The Mishkan was Commanded and now that there would be a place for the Kohanim - Priests to do their Service , this Parsha of Tetzaveh focuses on the Kohein Gadol and other Kohanim and their Garments . HaShem Commands that pure pressed olive oil be taken for illumination of the Menorah , to kindle the lamp continually . All the other Tribes had already offered toward the Mishkan , but Aharon from the Tribe of Levi , was not to contribute in the way the other Tribes did . The reason being , that HaShem Had A Special Task for Aharon to perform , and that would be the kindling of the lamp continually . Moshe was originally to have been the Kohein Gadol , but due to his continued humble disagreeing of HaShem's Choice of him , at the Burning Bush , Aharon was then given this position of Kohein Gadol . Aharon was three years older than Moshe and had basically been the leader of the Jews in Egypt , after his Father Amram , but when Moshe came , Aharon happily accepted Moshe's leadership , and now , Moshe too , happily accepted Aharon as the Kohein Gadol . HaShem Made the " Tetzaveh " - "Command " that Aharon and his sons were to arrange the lamps from evening to morning , before HaShem , as an Eternal Decree for their generations , and the Western Lamp on the Menorah , was to be kept burning always . The Western Lamp , the Neir Ma'aravi ( Ramban ) ( which was the second light from the Eastern side , or as some Rabbis believe , was the central one ) was to be left burning always . Only pure Olive Oil was to be used for the lighting . This means that only that very first drop of oil , squeezed from the olive could be used , as it was only this one , that would be pure without any sediment . The rest of the oil squeezed from the olive , could not be used for this kindling . We learn from this a very valid lesson , that our first and fore-most giving of ourselves , must always be to HaShem . This first squeezing had to be done by hand , for only by hand , on a first squeezing , could one be totally sure , that absolutely no sediment would be in the oil . This teaches us that it must be our own efforts that get us to Shamaim , and that it is by our own turning away from the Yetzer Horah and following Only HaShem's Laws , by our own efforts and choice , that gets us to Shamaim . This Oil had to be pure , just as we are to be pure , and only with this pure oil drop , one per olive , would the light burn a pure colour , just as we must be pure , and just like the light within our Neshomas must burn pure and holy , and without anythibg unholy like the sediment that was not to be there from the Olive Oil's next squeezing that could not be used , as we are to be pure and holy to the Oneness Of HaShem Ha Kadosh Baruch Hu . Just as this first drop of Pure Olive Oil is the purest and gives the purest light , so , must the light we give off , be pure too , by keeping HaShem's Commandments with love . HaShem Asks Moshe to bring near to himself , Aharon his brother and his sons Nadav , Avihu , Elazar and Ithamar , to minister to HaShem . HaShem Tells Moshe in this way , that he must bring Aharon ' near to himself , ' so that Moshe would still feel that he , Moshe , is still on a higher level , just in case he , Moshe , may have felt sad at not being the Kohein Gadol ( which holy Moshe never ended up feeling , even though HaShem just in case , prepared for that possibility , by this Command ) , as was originally the idea , So HaShem Takes Into Account , our feelings and so should we when we speak to others . So are we to emulate HaShem and His Ways , in all things . Aharon and the specific sons of Aharon only are mentioned , for it is only from these , that the the Kohanim come , thus including any children that might be born to them . But any already living grand-children then , would not be included as Kohanim , but would remain Levites . Pinchas , Elazar's son , was later appointed , directly from HaShem . HaShem Commanded That Vestments of Sanctity be made for Aharon , " for glory and splendor . " It states ' specifically ' to show that for every new Kohein Gadol , new vestments had to be made . It was " for glory and splendor " which are terms usually referred to a king , for the Kohein Gadol had to look royal and majestic , shining pure for his people . This shows us that the way we behave , is the best teacher of morals , to others . The story is told of a person who wanted to convert , and he went to Shammai and told Shammai he wants to convert just because he wants to wear the majestic garments of the Kohein Gadol and Shammai , chased him away with a yardstick , for one is supposed to have a pure motive in converting to Judaism . The man then went to Hillel , who decided to teach him the Hebrew Alphabet and then slowly to read a bit of Torah and referred to the verse that states in Torah that any non-Kohein who wears the holy vestments , will be put to death . The man realized that not only a convert , but even a born Jew who isn't a Kohein Gadol , cannot wear the vestments and thus realized , that it is beautiful enough , to be a Jew and so he became a convert . These vestments were to be " of glory and splendor , " to display the high position of purity , that is the station of the Kohein Gadol , in ministering to HaShem . HaShem Instructed the following garments to be made for the Kohein Gadol . An Ephod was to be made of gold , turquoise , purple and scarlet wool and twisted linen with a woven design . It was like a wrap around for the top area , with two shoulder straps and on these two straps were to be put two Shoham Stones and on these stones , were to be engraved , the Twelve Tribes of Israel , six on each , in the order of their birth . These stones were to be emplaced on the two shoulder straps of the Ephod as "remembrance stones " for the Children of Israel . Remembrance stones of what , one would ask . There were two stones , so they were like a representation of the Two Stones of the Ten Commandments ( Yalkut MeAm Loez ) , and thus as we all said at Har Sinai , " Na'aseh Ve Nishmah , " - " We will do and we will listen , " agreeing to keep the Torah at Har Sinai , so were these two stones a reminder and remembrance of that Holy Event and our Pledge to HaShem . Also , I think we are always to remember Moshe , and so " Shoham " Stones were used , for The Hebrew word " Shoham " has the letters " Shin , Hei and Mem , " and these letters ( Yalkut MeAm Loez ) make up also the word " Moshe . " Each garment of the Kohein Gadol , represented an atonement for some sin that a person could commit . Of course there were deeper reasons that are beyond our understanding , for all That HaShem Instructed To be made . The Ephod , according to Yalkut MeAm Loez and Midrash , atoned for the sin of idolatry . For Idolaters would wear a chest garment while performing their cults , so the Kohein Gadol , wearing a garment with straps , would atone for this sin . HaShem Instructed that the Choshen Mishpat , the Breastplate of Judgement be made , onto which the twelve precious stones would go , each one representing a specific Tribe , for specific reasons . The stones on there were : - for Reuvein , the Stone Odem , which was a Ruby , which when ground would help barrenness, just like the mandrakes that Reuvein brought for his Mother , in Bereishis - Genesis . For Simeon , was the stone Pitdah - Emerald , which protects against sexual immorality , for it was Zimri from this Tribe , that committed the Aveirah , later on in Torah , with the Midianitess . For the Tribe of Levi , was the Stone Barekes - Crystal , where the word ' Barak ' means ' Lightning ' like lightning sparks of holy learning and wisdom and holy intelligence, which this stone would help increase , just like the Levites who were the Teachers of Israel at the time - Devarim Deuteronomy 33:10 . For the Tribe of Yehudah , was the stone Nophech - Carbuncle , which gave assistance to defeat enemies . For the Tribe of Yissaschar , the stone Sapir - Saphire , being the colour of the blue sky and the heavens , for this stone protected the sanctity of the eyes and body and helped keep peace , like the Torah , for this Tribe was filled with its Torah Scholars , while the Tribe of Zevulun , worked to support it , thus both got the shared Kavod of each other . The Tribe of Zevulun , had the Stone Yahalom - Pearl ( some think it was a diamond ) , which brought success in business , for Zevulun lived by the sea shores and dealt in trade . For the Tribe of Dan , was the Stone Leshem - Topaz , which had the upside down face of a man within it , for from this Tribe would come the Judge Shimshon and the upside down face of a man , was to represent that a Judge must not look up at the litigants in front of him at their wealth or poverty , but must treat them equally , without prior seeing and judgement, just like an upside down face that does not look at the people directly and tries to hide itself from judging by the physical . Also , within the name of this stone is the word " La Shem " - " To HaShem , " for their strength must always be for the sake of HaShem , to HaShem . Their deeds are also to be " Lasheim HaShamaim " - " For the sake of Heaven . " For the Tribe of Naphtali , the Stone Shevo - Turquoise , which helps with speed , especially riding , for this Tribe is known for its speed , which Naphtali had to show , when he needed to hastily run back to Egypt , to bring the title deed of the Cave of Machpelah , when they were laying Yaakov to rest , and Eisav came and disputed it . For the Tribe of Gad , the stone Ach'lamah - Calf Eye ( some say a Crystal ) , which gives courage and dispels fear and worry and anxiety during war , for Gad would go out to war , in total trust of HaShem , having no fear and destroying those who worshiped idols . For the Tribe of Asher , the Stone Tarshish , which was like perfectly clear oil , and thus related to the olive trees and their oil , that was this Tribe's Blessing - Bereishis Genesis 49 : 20 . For Yosef , the Stone Shoham - Onyx ( some say Emerald ) , for it causes its bearer to be liked by all around them , which was certainly suitable to how others around Yosef like him . The Stone for the Tribe of Binyamin , Yashfeh - Jasper , for this stone had the ability to stop bleeding , which is exactly what Binyamin did , by not exposing his brothers to what they did to Yosef , which would have caused bloodshed . The word " Yashfeh " also can be separated into the Hebrew words " Yesh , " and " Peh " which means " there is a mouth " but keep silent and don't do loshon horah , as Binyamin kept silent and did not loshon his brothers ( Yalkut MeAmLoez ) . On the Choshen Mishpat - Breatplate of Judgement , were four rows of three stones , to remember our Three Fore-Fathers and Four Fore- Mothers . The Breastplate was to be made in such a way , that it would actually be folded over in half , and worn on the chest area , close to the heart , where HaShem Likes To Sit . Within this fold , would be placed the Urim Ve Tumim , and this would sit on Aharon's heart when he came before HaShem and it was for Aharon , to wear the Judgement of the Children of Israel constantly before HaShem . But what was the Urim And - Ve the Tumim . If we read closely , this particular Holy Object , no one was told to make , as if it was just presented From HaShem , and that is exactly what was the case , for the " Urim " which has the word " Ohr " - " Light " and " Tumim " which has the word " Tam " which means " Completeness " referred to Something that was filled with Lightness and Connected to the Ultimate Completeness and thus the Urim and the Tumim was HaShem's Name of the Tetragrammaton , the full Name of HaShem , That HaShem Used , To Make Certain things , and so did Moshe write this Name and It was put between the folds of the Choshen Mishpat . This could only be used to question , by a King , the Nation or by one who asked for the sake of the community . A person would ask the question , and the letters of the Names of the Tribes , inscribed by the Shamir worm , would light up in different patterns to give an answer . The Breastplate Choshen , atoned for the sin of the miscarriage of Justice , for it was related to Judging and Answering . Such a sin , can break a community , so the honesty and integrity of an honest Torah Judge , can make a community . The Me'iI - Robe , was to be totally of turquoise wool . It was to cover the length of the body of the Kohein Gadol , with an opening at the top for the head to fit through and an opening at the bottom , but a full closed garment was it to be all around. At it's bottom , was to be 72 pomegranates alternating with 72 bells , referring to the 72 shades of white that would show up as a metzorah for the sin of Loshon Horah and so the Robe , was an atonement for the sin of Loshon Horah - Evil Speech . The bells make a sound , just as the voice does , but they are put on the bottom of the Robe , just as one's speech must be humble and low and not brash or arrogant and not slanderous . The Pomegranates have their seeds within , and is known to have 613 seeds , just as the 613 Mitzvos that we Jews are to keep . The seeds being within , are thus hidden from view , just as our speech should be hidden from view , like quietude , in the way of not talking about others . Thus the Robe did Atone for Loshon Horah .The bells that would tinkle , when the Kohein Gadol entered and exited The Holy of Holies . Within the Holy of Holies , sometimes Malachim Angels would be there , and their holy presence could very well take the life of the one entering . So at the sound of these bells on the bottom of the Me'iI , they were to leave the Holy of Holies , so that the Kohein Gadol could enter safely and not get hurt . Then HaShem Commanded That The Tzitz Head-Plate be made of pure gold and on it was to be engraved " Kodesh La A-d-nai " - " Holy to HaShem . " It was for the atonement for forgiveness of sins and for sacred offerings and also atoned for the sin of Azus Panim - Sin of Arrogance . In Pirkei Avos it says , " The Arrogant will go to Gehinnom while the bashful will go to Gan Eiden " Avos 5:23 . We must be forever humble before HaShem . HaShem Then Commanded on the making of the Ketones - Tunic of linen in a box-like knit . The Tunic atoned for murder where there were no witnesses , just like we remember the Tunic of Yosef that was dipped in blood . The Michnasayim - Pants were to be made and they atoned for the sin of sexual immorality . A Linen Turban Mitznefes was to be made and wound around the head of the Kohein Gadol . This atoned for the sin of pride . Again humility being the path to Heaven and closeness with HaShem . For the Kohein Gadol , the Turban was more pointed and for an ordinary Kohein - A Kohein Hedyot , the Turban was rounded . A Sash - Belt - Avneit was to be made , which atoned for evil thoughts . The Belt was 32 amos long and wound around the Ketones . The number 32 is also the same Gematrical value as the word ' Lev ' - ' Heart ' and thus did this Belt Sash Avneit atone for sins of the heart . ( Midrash Says - Shemos by Rabbi Weissman ) . Not as many " Bigdei " - " Garments - Vestments " were to be made for ordinary Kohanim Hedyot , for the Kohein Hedyot , four vestments were to be made , but for the Kohein Gadol , eight vestments were to be made , specially for the Kohein Gadol . HaShem then Commands about the Seven day Inauguration Ritual for Aharon and his sons to be inaugurated into the Priesthood and Torah continues with the offerings made for this period and also the Tamid offering . The Parsha ends with the Commandments about the Incense Altar and how it was to have its incense offered every morning and evening and this was also to stay any plague that could come upon us When HaShem Was Upset with us . So ends the Parsha . HaShem Wants from us a great holiness and purity . With love , by following HaShem's Commandments , we can give HaShem What HaShem Wants . As Aharon had to continually light the Menorah and thus let us be a part of the Holiness of HaShem , That Goes out to the World , so can we continually work for HaShem , in being for HaShem , a vessel , from which HaShem's Light Can Flow . But we need to be Pure and Holy first . Every Mitzvah we do , every Mitzvah we keep , brings us ever closer to HaShem . Ever closer to HaShem's Wish For His Creation . We are His Servants , to bring the rest of the World to His Light . Every day , evening and morning are we , within ourselves , to kindle HaShem's Light Within us all , to shine out into Creation . Each time we don't do a Commandment , we dampen and darken the World . The more that disobey , the darker the world becomes . If we look around us today , we feel the darkness , that we make , by not following HaShem Whole-heartedly . We can feel HaShem's Displeasure with us . We need to stop following false ways . We need to stop following man made paths . We need to stop making up our own rules and we need to stop following our own wishes and paths that won't lead anywhere . We have A Guide Of Life , That Always Shines Through And Lights The World Around us , And That Will Dispel all this darkness , that not keeping the Commandments brings Chas Ve Shalom . For HaShem's " Tetzaveh " - " Commands , " are HaShem's Pathway for us , to the Eternal Light Of Shamaim . That Light is the Light of HaShem's Holy Sweet And Beautiful Torah - The Everlasting Light That Carries us to HaShem , That Contains HaShem's " Tetzaveh , " - " Commands . " Let us all grasp hold of it and make ourselves vessels for HaShem's Holy Light To Light Up Creation , and destroy the Amaleks of the generations , and finally bring HaShem's Creation to it's Intended Destination , when the whole World will be full of Light , and with our accomplished purity and holiness , will we finally be true vessels For HaShem's Light , by keeping HaShem's " Tetzaveh " - " Commands " and thus will we be Servants Of HaShem HaKadosh Baruch Hu - HaShem The Holy One Blessed Be He . Within the word " Tetzaveh , " is the word ' Tzavah , ' which means to ' Assemble . ' Just as we assembled as one at Har Sinai , to receive the " Tetzaveh , " - " Commands , " and as we Jews all said with one voice , " Na ' aseh Ve Nishma , " - " We will do and we will listen , " so to bring Moshiach , our people must all come together as one , following HaShem's Holy Torah . Just as The Commands that we must follow , are the stage before Moshiach , that brings Moshiach , so does the word " Tetzaveh , " that comes to 501 in Gematriah , where 5 + 0 + 1 = 6 , where 6 comes before 7 ( where keeping The Commands of HaShem is the stage before Moshiach , that brings Moshiach ) where the word " Moshiach , " in Gematriah , comes to 7 , so too , does " Tetzaveh " - Keeping HaShem's " Commands , " bring Moshiach . HaShem , Since The Beginning , Has Wanted our closeness and togetherness and obedience to Him . So let us give HaShem What He So Deserves , and follow His Laws , Which HaShem Gave For our benefit . Let us stand up and be counted as the people of HaShem Ha Kadosh Baruch Hu , HaShem The Holy One Blessed Be He . I wish HaShem With Eternal And Forever Love , A Beautiful And Sweet Shabbos Kodesh And Chag Purim Sameach With Love , and to all my fellow Jews , a Beautiful Sweet Shabbos Kodesh with love and Chag Purim Sameach with love . Shabbat Shalom to all of Creation . Shabbat Shalom to all of HaShem's Creation .rashas Teyzaveh and Shushan Purim : -