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Ministry of Gates of Praise Ministries, Inc.
Copyright Gates of Praise Ministries 2007
Copyright Gates of Praise Ministries 2007
Our parasha this week begins with the commandment to fuel and kindle
the menorah. It was a commandment for everyone. Every Israelite
had a share in the light that burned in the presence of the L-rd. They
were to supply only the finest of virgin olive oil to fuel the menorah’s
sacred flames. Aaron and the priesthood had the mitzuah of keeping
the flames perpetually lit. Today we are without the holy Temple and
are bereft of the sacred menorah, yet there is a ritual remembrance of
the menorah (continual light) which burns in every synagogue before
the ark which houses the Torah scrolls. The lamp in Hebrew is called a
ner tamid. These commandments of the menorah are a revelation of
godliness. The light of G-d’s presence is a light which is never
extinguished. The menorah was to burn perpetually because it was an
earthly representation of the heavenly light which emanates from the
presence of G-d in the eternal sanctuary above. It also shows us that G-
d intended Israel to be a light to the whole world, illuminating it of the
grace and splendor of G-d.
The tent of meeting originally applied to the tent that Moses set up
outside of the camp before the Tabernacle is built. The tent of
meeting was to be a place where man and G-d encountered one
another. When we show up to assemble and worship Him in
community on the Sabbath we are keeping the moed (the
commandment to go to the tent of meeting). To the best of our
ability, we are entering the Tent of Meeting at the appointed time of
meeting. When we keep the festivals, we are encountering G-d at His
appointed time. We present ourselves before Him and celebrate our
relationship with him.
Cohen is the Hebrew word for priest. The main function of the cohen
is the Israelite worship system was to enter into areas of holiness that
were inaccessible to the average Israelite. It was the priest’s job to
bring the sacrifice into the presence of the L-rd and to splash the
blood upon the altar. It was the priest’s job to minister inside the Holy
Place. He facilitated the worship on behalf of the Israelite, because
he was specially equipped to enter into the presence of G-d.
Two conditions made the cohen able to boldly enter into areas of
holiness that other men could not. Firs, they were sanctified to live at
a standard of ritual holiness higher than that of the common Israelite.
Lineage through Aaron, various rituals of ordination, the priestly
garments and laws of sanctity particular to the priesthood all combined
to raise the cohen’s level of holiness above that of other Israelites.
The cohen maintained a state of constant ritual purity while serving in
the Tabernacle. They were to be models of holiness, demonstrating
lives of separation and righteousness, because they directly
represented the Holy G-d. As G-d’s body, we are a holy priesthood,
charged with the same role. We are ambassadors, and our obedience
to Torah and our service of the master represent our sacred worship.
Exodus 28:2-5 tells us for the priest to wear special garments when
they minister. This regarded as a positive commandment among the
613. The priestly vestments served three purposes. They were
vestments for holiness, for glory and for splendor. The high priest’s
garments incorporated the special weave of the gold and the blue,
purple and scarlet material and the fine linen from which the fabrics of
the Tabernacle were stitched. The mixture of wool and linen was
sacred to the Tabernacle and high priesthood. Ordinary Israelites were
forbidden from mixing wool with linen except for the single thread of
blue wool on the fringes of their garments. (Deut 22:11-12 Numbers 15:
38). The significance of the blue thread is a reminder of our sacred
status. We are a nation of priests. Each of us, as believers, are set
apart and called to a sacred service for the holy One. The sanctifying
of objects as described in Torah paved the way for us to understand
how an object such as our body can be declared holy. Like the clothes
for the priest, our body serves as the holy vestment for the Spirit (I
Cor. 6:12-20).
The ephod (28:6-14) was woven from the sacred fabric into a garment
shaped something like an apron with shoulder straps. Two stones were
placed on the shoulder piece of the ephod which had the 12 tribes
written on them, six each. Aaron shall carry their names before the L-
rd on both shoulders as a remembrance. To remind the children of
Israel of their unity of descent and unity of service to the G-d of
Israel. As the body of Messiah, we represent a single man. Our
identity is upon Him and as much as His is in us. He bore our names
upon His shoulders when He bore the cross.
The breastplate is the most famous of the 8 garments of the high
priest. It was a rectangular piece of cloth folded in two and fitted
with 12 precious stones, three across and four down. The high priest
wearing the names of Israel over his heart represents Israel in the
presence of the L-rd. The high priests were considered to be a
mediator between G-d and the people. The second feature of the
breastplate was a pouch containing the Urim and Tummin. This
garment is called the breastplate of judgment and the urim and Tummin
give it that function. These were two stones used as somewhat of a
lot to determine what light from the l-rd can be shed on a pending
decision or what His perfect will is for a particular matter. The
stones were referred to as light and perfections. They are mentioned
in I Samuel 14:41. They are not mentioned after the days of David and
remain one of the most obscure objects connected with the high
priesthood. We learn from the Urim & Tummin that G-d desires for His
people to bring their concerns, their questions and their uncertainties
to Him. We lay them at His feet in prayer and through the priesthood
of Messiah; we anticipate clear answers and clear directions for our
lives.
Beneath the ephod and breastplate a robe of blue wool was worn. It
was made with a double thick collar so that it will not be torn. This is
one of the negative commandments of the 613 “the garment of the
high priest may not be cut, torn or incised in any way.” The robe
reached from his neck to his ankles and was open at both sides. Along
the bottom of the hem hung the golden bells and the pomegranates.
The voice of the bells announced Aaron’s entrance and exit from the
Tabernacle so that he will not die (28:35). The multi-colored
pomegranates that decorated the high priest robe served as tzitzit.
The linen scarf which the high priest would around his head to form a
turban was no different than the linen scarves which all the priests
wore. The high priest wore his in a round, oval fashion. The ordinary
priest wound theirs into a tapering, conical turban. Affixed to the high
priest’s forehead by a single blue strap was the golden plate upon
which the words “Holy to the L-rd” were engraved. By bearing the
name of G-d upon his head, the high priest is symbolically invested
with the authority of that name. Out of all the nations He set apart
only Israel. Out of all of Israel He set apart only the tribe of Levi. Out
of the tribe of Levi He set apart only the house of Aaron. Out of the
house of Aaron He set apart only one man to serve as High priest. The
plate with G-d’s name reminds us of the commandment of teffillin.
The head teffillin worn by the average Israelite is also strapped to the
forehead and upon the black box is the letter shin for G-d’s Name.
Yeshua received a high priesthood greater than Aaron’s, the holiest of
holy men, invested with the authority of G-d’s Name, He took away
the iniquity of sinners that we might be accepted before the L-rd.
Worn by the regular priest were the tunic, the sash, the turban and
trousers. The tunic of white teaches us that no one may approach the
L-rd with impurities. Yeshua is our pure white linen tunic. The turban
speaks of the covering of the head and submission. It symbolizes our
humility before G-d. It shows there is One who is higher than us, who
is our Head, the Messiah. The fact that all priest wore some kind of
head covering is one of the reasons that religious Jews today wear a
covering. They are told to cover your head, so that the reverence of
Heaven be upon you. The sash was made of the sacred material. It
was a long thin strip of cloth would around the waist a dozen or so
times to form a sort of cummerbund. It was worn only while the priest
were on duty in the Tabernacle. The priestly trousers were like over
sized linen pajama pants, tied around the chest with a drawstring and
extending down to the knees. This was for modesty.
The high priest was to be consecrated by means of a special anointing
which symbolized an investment of G-d’s Spirit. The anointing was
done in the same manner as the anointing of the bread offerings. It
was poured over Aaron’s forehead and ran down his body. From the
time of Aaron until the destruction of the first Temple every priest was
anointed with the sacred oil. Exodus 30:22-25 preserves the recipe for
making the oil. The oil was used for three purposes: the consecration
of the Tabernacle and its vessels and implements, the anointing of
priests and the anointing of Kings. No priest or King of the second
temple era was ever anointed with the sacred oil thus they were titled
high priest but never called anointed priest. II Cor. 2:14-16 Paul points
out that we carry the fragrance of Messiah’s anointing oil upon us. We
have been anointed with the same Spirit of G-d which anointed
Messiah. We are bearers of that fragrance.
The priesthood of Messiah does not invalidate the priesthood of
Aaron. The aaronic priesthood is an earthly shadow of messiah’s
priesthood just as the Jerusalem temple is an early reflection of the
Heavenly Temple.
the menorah. It was a commandment for everyone. Every Israelite
had a share in the light that burned in the presence of the L-rd. They
were to supply only the finest of virgin olive oil to fuel the menorah’s
sacred flames. Aaron and the priesthood had the mitzuah of keeping
the flames perpetually lit. Today we are without the holy Temple and
are bereft of the sacred menorah, yet there is a ritual remembrance of
the menorah (continual light) which burns in every synagogue before
the ark which houses the Torah scrolls. The lamp in Hebrew is called a
ner tamid. These commandments of the menorah are a revelation of
godliness. The light of G-d’s presence is a light which is never
extinguished. The menorah was to burn perpetually because it was an
earthly representation of the heavenly light which emanates from the
presence of G-d in the eternal sanctuary above. It also shows us that G-
d intended Israel to be a light to the whole world, illuminating it of the
grace and splendor of G-d.
The tent of meeting originally applied to the tent that Moses set up
outside of the camp before the Tabernacle is built. The tent of
meeting was to be a place where man and G-d encountered one
another. When we show up to assemble and worship Him in
community on the Sabbath we are keeping the moed (the
commandment to go to the tent of meeting). To the best of our
ability, we are entering the Tent of Meeting at the appointed time of
meeting. When we keep the festivals, we are encountering G-d at His
appointed time. We present ourselves before Him and celebrate our
relationship with him.
Cohen is the Hebrew word for priest. The main function of the cohen
is the Israelite worship system was to enter into areas of holiness that
were inaccessible to the average Israelite. It was the priest’s job to
bring the sacrifice into the presence of the L-rd and to splash the
blood upon the altar. It was the priest’s job to minister inside the Holy
Place. He facilitated the worship on behalf of the Israelite, because
he was specially equipped to enter into the presence of G-d.
Two conditions made the cohen able to boldly enter into areas of
holiness that other men could not. Firs, they were sanctified to live at
a standard of ritual holiness higher than that of the common Israelite.
Lineage through Aaron, various rituals of ordination, the priestly
garments and laws of sanctity particular to the priesthood all combined
to raise the cohen’s level of holiness above that of other Israelites.
The cohen maintained a state of constant ritual purity while serving in
the Tabernacle. They were to be models of holiness, demonstrating
lives of separation and righteousness, because they directly
represented the Holy G-d. As G-d’s body, we are a holy priesthood,
charged with the same role. We are ambassadors, and our obedience
to Torah and our service of the master represent our sacred worship.
Exodus 28:2-5 tells us for the priest to wear special garments when
they minister. This regarded as a positive commandment among the
613. The priestly vestments served three purposes. They were
vestments for holiness, for glory and for splendor. The high priest’s
garments incorporated the special weave of the gold and the blue,
purple and scarlet material and the fine linen from which the fabrics of
the Tabernacle were stitched. The mixture of wool and linen was
sacred to the Tabernacle and high priesthood. Ordinary Israelites were
forbidden from mixing wool with linen except for the single thread of
blue wool on the fringes of their garments. (Deut 22:11-12 Numbers 15:
38). The significance of the blue thread is a reminder of our sacred
status. We are a nation of priests. Each of us, as believers, are set
apart and called to a sacred service for the holy One. The sanctifying
of objects as described in Torah paved the way for us to understand
how an object such as our body can be declared holy. Like the clothes
for the priest, our body serves as the holy vestment for the Spirit (I
Cor. 6:12-20).
The ephod (28:6-14) was woven from the sacred fabric into a garment
shaped something like an apron with shoulder straps. Two stones were
placed on the shoulder piece of the ephod which had the 12 tribes
written on them, six each. Aaron shall carry their names before the L-
rd on both shoulders as a remembrance. To remind the children of
Israel of their unity of descent and unity of service to the G-d of
Israel. As the body of Messiah, we represent a single man. Our
identity is upon Him and as much as His is in us. He bore our names
upon His shoulders when He bore the cross.
The breastplate is the most famous of the 8 garments of the high
priest. It was a rectangular piece of cloth folded in two and fitted
with 12 precious stones, three across and four down. The high priest
wearing the names of Israel over his heart represents Israel in the
presence of the L-rd. The high priests were considered to be a
mediator between G-d and the people. The second feature of the
breastplate was a pouch containing the Urim and Tummin. This
garment is called the breastplate of judgment and the urim and Tummin
give it that function. These were two stones used as somewhat of a
lot to determine what light from the l-rd can be shed on a pending
decision or what His perfect will is for a particular matter. The
stones were referred to as light and perfections. They are mentioned
in I Samuel 14:41. They are not mentioned after the days of David and
remain one of the most obscure objects connected with the high
priesthood. We learn from the Urim & Tummin that G-d desires for His
people to bring their concerns, their questions and their uncertainties
to Him. We lay them at His feet in prayer and through the priesthood
of Messiah; we anticipate clear answers and clear directions for our
lives.
Beneath the ephod and breastplate a robe of blue wool was worn. It
was made with a double thick collar so that it will not be torn. This is
one of the negative commandments of the 613 “the garment of the
high priest may not be cut, torn or incised in any way.” The robe
reached from his neck to his ankles and was open at both sides. Along
the bottom of the hem hung the golden bells and the pomegranates.
The voice of the bells announced Aaron’s entrance and exit from the
Tabernacle so that he will not die (28:35). The multi-colored
pomegranates that decorated the high priest robe served as tzitzit.
The linen scarf which the high priest would around his head to form a
turban was no different than the linen scarves which all the priests
wore. The high priest wore his in a round, oval fashion. The ordinary
priest wound theirs into a tapering, conical turban. Affixed to the high
priest’s forehead by a single blue strap was the golden plate upon
which the words “Holy to the L-rd” were engraved. By bearing the
name of G-d upon his head, the high priest is symbolically invested
with the authority of that name. Out of all the nations He set apart
only Israel. Out of all of Israel He set apart only the tribe of Levi. Out
of the tribe of Levi He set apart only the house of Aaron. Out of the
house of Aaron He set apart only one man to serve as High priest. The
plate with G-d’s name reminds us of the commandment of teffillin.
The head teffillin worn by the average Israelite is also strapped to the
forehead and upon the black box is the letter shin for G-d’s Name.
Yeshua received a high priesthood greater than Aaron’s, the holiest of
holy men, invested with the authority of G-d’s Name, He took away
the iniquity of sinners that we might be accepted before the L-rd.
Worn by the regular priest were the tunic, the sash, the turban and
trousers. The tunic of white teaches us that no one may approach the
L-rd with impurities. Yeshua is our pure white linen tunic. The turban
speaks of the covering of the head and submission. It symbolizes our
humility before G-d. It shows there is One who is higher than us, who
is our Head, the Messiah. The fact that all priest wore some kind of
head covering is one of the reasons that religious Jews today wear a
covering. They are told to cover your head, so that the reverence of
Heaven be upon you. The sash was made of the sacred material. It
was a long thin strip of cloth would around the waist a dozen or so
times to form a sort of cummerbund. It was worn only while the priest
were on duty in the Tabernacle. The priestly trousers were like over
sized linen pajama pants, tied around the chest with a drawstring and
extending down to the knees. This was for modesty.
The high priest was to be consecrated by means of a special anointing
which symbolized an investment of G-d’s Spirit. The anointing was
done in the same manner as the anointing of the bread offerings. It
was poured over Aaron’s forehead and ran down his body. From the
time of Aaron until the destruction of the first Temple every priest was
anointed with the sacred oil. Exodus 30:22-25 preserves the recipe for
making the oil. The oil was used for three purposes: the consecration
of the Tabernacle and its vessels and implements, the anointing of
priests and the anointing of Kings. No priest or King of the second
temple era was ever anointed with the sacred oil thus they were titled
high priest but never called anointed priest. II Cor. 2:14-16 Paul points
out that we carry the fragrance of Messiah’s anointing oil upon us. We
have been anointed with the same Spirit of G-d which anointed
Messiah. We are bearers of that fragrance.
The priesthood of Messiah does not invalidate the priesthood of
Aaron. The aaronic priesthood is an earthly shadow of messiah’s
priesthood just as the Jerusalem temple is an early reflection of the
Heavenly Temple.
| TETZAUEH Exodus 27:20-30:10 By Rabbi Esther Boucher |
Ministry of Gates of Praise Ministries, Inc. Copyright Gates of Praise Ministries 2007