Parsha Points to Ponder for Parsha T'tzaveh

Published February 25, 2010

1) Why does G-D say AND YOU (V’ATA) to Moshe when commanding him to appoint Aharon and his sons as the Kohanim (28:1)? G-D was already speaking to Moshe so identifying Moshe seems to be unnecessary.
2) The Torah first commands that the names of the tribes were to be engraved into the AVNEI SHOHAM, the precious stones (28:9) but then says the stones would be ON THE NAMES OF THE TRIBES which imply that the stones must be raised above the names (28:11). How can these seemingly conflicting commands be reconciled?
3) Why does the Torah say I AM HASHEM YOUR G-D twice in the same verse (29:46)?

Answers - Ponder the questions first and then look here

1) The Kli Yakar explains that by saying AND YOU, G-D was emphasizing that Aharon’s ability to serve as Kohein Gadol was only due to Moshe’s prayers on his brother’s behalf after Aharon sinned with the golden calf. G-D was telling Moshe that it was only because of YOU that Aharon can be kohein, and, therefore, specifically YOU will bring him close and begin the anointing process.
2) Daat Zekainim MiBaalei Hatosfot teach that the second command teaches the degree to which the names should be engraved into the stones. They should be deeply engraved to the point that it seems as if the stones are resting above the letters of the names.
3) The Ohr HaChayim answers that one might have misunderstood the first statement which teaches that the people will come to recognize that Hashem is G-D through the Mishkan and think that Hashem only has this relationship with us when the Mishkan exists. Thus, it reiterates this point at the end of the verse to clarify that this Hashem is always our G-D even when we do not have the Mishkan.

Points to Ponder is prepared by Rabbi Dov Lipman who teaches at Reishit Yerushalayim and Machon Maayan in Beit shemesh and is the author of “DISCOVER: Answers for Teenagers (and Adults) to Questions about the Jewish Faith” (Feldheim) and “TIMEOUT: Sports Stories as a Game Plan for Spiritual Success” (Devora) His Hagada commentary, “FOUNDATIONS” will be published by Targum before Pesach (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)