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Parshat Tetzaveh
2005
Same Song, New Tune
"Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me..." Parshat Tetzaveh gives an unexpected Torah insight into this, the first line of a classic song, a favorite at graduation ceremonies and spring concerts.
Near the end of this parsha, the Torah instructs us to make an altar of gold (Exodus 30). On this golden altar the sweet incense of spices is to be burnt each morning and each afternoon. The Midrash tells us that Hashem said, "The incense is the most beloved of all offerings. All the other offerings atone for transgressions, but the incense is offered purely to bring joy and happiness."
Even after the mishkan (tent) and all its holy vessels were completed, the table and the menorah were set up in their positions, and the sacrifices were slaughtered, the Shechina, Hashem's divine presence, did not descend. It was only when the kohen (priest), completely alone, offered the incense of spices that the Shechina came down to reside among us, according to the Midrash.
So what do we learn from this obscure practice thousands of years ago? Where is our sweet incense, our mishkan and our kohen, so we, too, can connect with Hashem's divine essence? The answer is within each of us.
The special incense offering is likened to shalom bayit-peace in the home-which is both a product of and a requirement for joy and happiness. We recall this offering in our daily prayers that are today's mishkan service. Thus we have the ability to offer Hashem's most beloved and joyful offering on a daily basis, just like the kohen did years ago!
Our challenge and opportunity is to keep the fire and sweetness of the incense in our hearts - to make some quiet time to explore our own spirituality and reconnect with our inner essence. This could be a quick prayer from our hearts, yoga or simply a walk around the campus. In so doing we can rediscover the peaceful place within ourselves, one that we can then share with friends, family and the entire world. "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me." How Jewish.
Prepared by Pam Newman, executive director, Hillel at the University of Connecticut.
Learn More
Additional commentaries and text studies on Parshat Tetzaveh at MyJewishLearning.com.
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