(Exodus: 27:20- 30-10)

(Ezekiel 43:10-27)

1. [28:3 ] “…to make him holy, to serve me.” There are a number of ways of relating to God. One can serve. One can love. One can see God as a judge and ruler. One can see God as the miracle-worker, and so on.  Which is the most desirable way to relate to God? Can one be conscious of God without any special relationship? Can one relate to God in all ways at the same time?

2. [28:4]  “This is the clothing that you will make…”   The Cohanim wear special clothing, and change into other special clothing when they do different duties. The clothing is considered a major part of their duties. In our everyday lives, we also wear different clothing for different activities and duties.  Is the change of clothing for the sake of the person doing the action or for the sake of those who see him?

3. [29:1]  “…to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests/cohanim to me.”   The Jewish people are a nation of cohanim in relation to the world [Shmot 19:6]. Cohanim are priests in relation to the Jewish people. Do the Jewish people act as Cohanim for each other? What does it mean to serve as a Cohan for others?

4.  [Yechezkel 43:11] “If they are embarrassed with all that they have done…”    Must there be embarrassment and regret for a person to make tshuvah and to act in a better way? Can a person relate to his or her undesirable behaviour as a necessary part of life that taught them lessons for the future?  Or is embarrassment and regret necessary for real personal change?

5. [Purim]  One of the commandments of Purim is to eat a meal. Our literature speaks in general about eating in a holy way? How does one eat in a holy way?

Commentary

In the matter of the clothing of the Cohanim…all inner, spiritual work should be covered and have clothing. Therefore, the Cohanim, who are inner-directed and spiritual, need special clothing. The Levi’im, however, whose work is done publicly don’t need special clothing.

–R. Avrohom Borenstein, 1838 – 1910), rebbe from Sochatchov, Poland.

This study page is dedicated to the memory of Rivkah Rochel bat Ya’akov haLevi and Chaya Kornberg, and Yechiel Eliezer ben Yitzchok Meir and Rochel Laya Kornberg

And this study page is also dedicated to the memory of Gad Eliahu ben David and Kochava–Eli Zucker