Parashat Tetzavveh (Exodus 27:20 - 30:10)

A weekly Torah exploration for families by Michael S. Raileanu, M.A.Ed.

A weekly Torah exploration for families by Michael S. Raileanu, M.A.Ed.

Here we are again at the old Bar Mitzvah portion (Parashat Tetzavveh, Exodus 27:21 - 30:10)! A great deal has changed in those 30 or so years, at least things stay the same in the Torah. Or do they? Do we understand parashiyot differently from year to year? Like this week with all of the steps that Aaron and his sons had to go through in order to serve as kohanim (priests) to God. Did it seem same old same old to them after a while or did they find a away to keep it fresh?

We at Carpool Curriculum hope you have a fun, safe, and generally meaningful Purim.

In Exodus 28:17 - 21, where did Moshe and Aaron get all of those cool stones from? Where were they while the people awaited the instructions for how to use them in Aaron's robes? Did someone just hold them hoping to use them for something special? Or, did Moshe hold them knowing that there was going to be a God-related use for them someday?
Aaron and the boys sure wore a lot of clothes when they administered the sacrifices on behalf of the Jewish people. Why would someone in the desert wear that much clothing? Do you know someone who wears a special outfit for their work? Who is it? What do they wear? Do they wear it all the time or only at particular times at work? Do the jobs you think about for your future have uniforms of one kind or another?
Aaron had to wear a special breastplate. Do you know what a breastplate is? Why would he wear it? How is it like the S on Superman? How is it different? How about the get up that Batman wears, are there any similarities? Look them up on the internet and see what you think.
The Israelites sure slaughtered a bunch of animals during religious ceremonies. Do you think that system is good or bad? Why? Would you like us to return to it? Why or why not? What do you think it was like to have blood sprinkled all over you? How would that cleanse you or your sins? How clean do you think you would feel after having blood sprinkled all over you?
Aaron lights an eternal flame. What does the ner tamid, the eternal flame mean to you? Where else in the world have you seen (or heard of) an eternal flame? What do you think about synagogues that use lightbulbs instead of a flame? Does it have the same meaning to you? What does your synagogue use? Why? Who maintains it; who keeps it burning?