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In Tetzaveh we have instructions dealing primarily with the priesthood. We read about beautiful garments that were to be worn along with the precious metal and stones that were part of the structure from last week. If the goal here is spirituality and holiness, why all the emphasis on the external?
Maimonides addresses this in his Guide 3:45 "For to the multitude, an individual is not rendered great by his true form*, but by the perfection of his limbs and the beauty of his clothes; and what is aimed at is that the Temple and servants should be regarded as great by all."
In other words, we are always trying to accommodate the realities of human nature with the higher goals of a religious institution. And this is an ongoing challenge, even to the present day, where a synagogue has to carefully develop a strategy to be "attractive" while not at the same time compromising its true mission.
*I.e., the rational soul or the intellect.
This week's Kiddush is sponsored by Dolores and Gordon Wine in memory of her aunt Bella Braun Dansker.
We belatedly thank Chava Chalom for sponsoring last week's lovely kiddush in recognition of the shared calendar with the Chinese and for the beginning the festive month of Adar, the anniversary month of her parents.
We take this opportunity to remind everyone that sponsorship for Kiddush is available on weekly basis. We thank those that have already come forward.
Special note: we are proposing a new Beginners Hebrew Reading class for Thursdays at 8pm. If you are interested, please contact the Rabbi. Learn to read Hebrew for Purim!
COVID POLICY: For the safety and comfort of the congregation, we request everyone ages 5 and above must be fully vaccinated to enter the building. All people over the age of 2, while inside the building, must wear a mask covering their mouth and nose, regardless of vaccination status.
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