Parshat Tetzaveh, (Exodus 29:38-29:46)-2/7/2014

Sometimes we hear that it isn't really giving if it doesn't hurt. Asking to give two lambs a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, continually ... seems like it would hurt. I can imagine with that kind of sacrifice, one would get used to giving. And we are giving to G-d, which would further reinforce our connection. “... a fire offering to the Lord."

G_d appears to drive a hard bargain but the rewards are plentiful. He/she/it says that meetings will be arranged with the children of Israel. And earlier, it is mentioned, “for your generations.”

I am bothered when he/she/it speaks of dwelling “in the midst of the children of Israel.” Why such favoritism? Not only is he/she/it devoid of feelings for the lambs, but for non-Jews (apparently).

Rabbi Epstein at the Friday night service tonight read a commentary on this parshah explaining that the external coverings for the priests are symbolic of the internal perfection (my word) that they were to obtain. Though “clothes make the man” the real job is that they don't really ... and that the challenge for the priests is to adorn their internal heart and wisdom equal to the elaborate external adornments.