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Chewing The Cud: Tetzaveh

Torah Reading for Tetzaveh

Parshat Tetzaveh

Shabbat, 11 Adar I, 5779

16 February, 2019

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Haftarah: (Ezekiel 43:10-27)

Please note: These Haftarah texts follow Chabad custom. Other communities could possibly read more, less, or a different section of the Prophets altogether. Please consult with your rabbi.

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Ezekiel Chapter 43

10You, Son of man, describe the House to the House of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities; let them measure its plan.   יאַתָּ֣ה בֶן־אָדָ֗ם הַגֵּ֚ד אֶת־בֵּֽית יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֶת־הַבַּ֔יִת וְיִכָּֽלְמ֖וּ מֵֽעֲו‍ֹנֽוֹתֵיהֶ֑ם וּמָדְד֖וּ אֶת־תָּכְנִֽית:
You, Son of man, describe etc., that they may be ashamed of their iniquities: when I show them My loving-kindness that I do not reject them for their iniquity.    
let them measure its plan: Let them take measurements through you, for you will show them the measurements of the building plan.    
11And if they are ashamed of all that they have done, let them know the form of the House and its scheme, its exits and its entrances, and all its forms, and all its laws and all its teachings, and write it down in their sight so that they keep the whole form thereof and the laws thereof, and do them.   יאוְאִֽם־נִכְלְמ֞וּ מִכֹּ֣ל אֲשֶׁר־עָשׂ֗וּ צוּרַ֣ת הַבַּ֡יִת וּתְכֽוּנָת֡וֹ וּמֽוֹצָאָ֡יו וּמֽוֹבָאָ֣יו וְכָל־צֽוּרֹתָ֡יו (כתיב צֽוּרֹתָ֡ו) ×•Ö°×ÖµÖ£×ª כָּל־חֻקֹּתָיו֩ וְכָל־צ֨וּרֹתָ֚יו (כתיב צ֨וּרֹתָ֚ו) ×•Ö°×›Ö¸×œÖ¾×ªÖ¼×•Ö¹×¨Ö¹×ªÖ¸×™×•Ö™(כתיב תּוֹרֹתָו֙) ×”וֹדַ֣ע אוֹתָ֔ם וּכְתֹ֖ב לְעֵֽינֵיהֶ֑ם וְיִשְׁמְר֞וּ אֶת־כָּל־צֽוּרָת֛וֹ וְאֶת־כָּל־חֻקֹּתָ֖יו וְעָשׂ֥וּ אוֹתָֽם:
And if they are ashamed: i. e., [if] they will be embarrassed and hide their faces because of all they did, then let them know what I am destined to do for them.    
the form of the House: the perimeter of the House, from front to back, arranged on [all] four sides.    
and its scheme: the number of its cells and its chambers.    
and all its forms: the cherubim, palm trees, posts, and halls. I found: “and all its forms” is unclear.    
so that they keep: They will learn the matters of the measurements from your mouth so that they will know how to do them at the time of the end. I found [the following]: The second aliyah [to the Holy Land] through Ezra was merited to be like the first entry through Joshua, to come about by force and through a miracle, as expounded (Ber. 4a, Exod. 15:16): “until… pass.” This Building would then have been fit for them as of then, when they emerged from exile, to an everlasting redemption. But [their] sin caused [this not to happen] for their repentance was not suitable, [i.e.,] they did not resolve to stop sinning. [Therefore,] they emerged to freedom [only] through the sanction of Cyrus and his son. Some say that in Babylon they stumbled regarding gentile women.    
12This is the teaching of the House; Upon the top of the mountain, all its boundary round about shall be most holy; behold, this is the teaching of the House.   יבזֹ֖את תּוֹרַ֣ת הַבָּ֑יִת עַל־רֹ֣אשׁ הָ֠הָר כָּל־גְּבֻל֞וֹ סָבִ֚יב | סָבִיב֙ קֹ֣דֶשׁ קָֽדָשִׁ֔ים הִנֵּה־זֹ֖את תּוֹרַ֥ת הַבָּֽיִת:
13And these are the measurements of the altar in cubits; the cubit, one cubit and one handbreadth, but the base one [ordinary] cubit, and such a cubit also for the breadth; and [likewise on] its border, [going] one span to its edge all around, and equally so the very top of the altar.   יגוְאֵ֨לֶּה מִדּ֚וֹת הַמִּזְבֵּ֙חַ֙ בָּֽאַמּ֔וֹת אַמָּ֥ה אַמָּ֖ה וָטֹ֑פַח וְחֵ֨יק הָֽאַמָּ֜ה וְאַמָּה־רֹ֗חַב וּגְבוּלָ֨הּ אֶל־שְׂפָתָ֚הּ סָבִיב֙ זֶ֣רֶת הָֽאֶחָ֔ד וְזֶ֖ה גַּ֥ב הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ:
And these are the measurements of the altar: as he explains further (verse 17): “fourteen [cubits in] length by fourteen [cubits in] breadth.”    
in cubits; the cubit, one cubit and a handbreadth: with a cubit of six [handbreadths], which is a cubit and a handbreadth, [judging] by a cubit of five [handbreadths].    
but the base one [ordinary] cubit: but its base is measured with an ordinary cubit, which equals five [handbreadths]. The word חֵיק is related to חֵקוּי, permanence, it refers to the one cubit. The cubit is the ordinary cubit, not a cubit and a handbreadth, which is the cubit of six [handbreadths]. So too did we learn in Menahoth (97b) that the base, the circuit, and the horns are measured with a cubit of five [handbreadths].    
but the base one [ordinary] cubit: This is the yesod.    
and such a cubit also for the breadth: This is the circuit.    
and [likewise on] its border, [going] one span to its edge all around: These are the horns, [each of which measured] one span from its center; and they measured a span to each side, totaling a cubit by a cubit.    
and equally so the very top of the altar: And with this cubit the top of the golden altar was measured [to be] a cubit in length and a cubit in breadth [forming a] square. So it is explained in Erubin (4a). In Menahoth (97b) it is explained more fully in terms of the computation: The base was a cubit in height. It extended upward a cubit, and a cubit was its breadth. The recess of the circuit was recessed a cubit of five [handbreadths], but its height, of which we learned (Middoth 3: 1): “It extended upward 5 [cubits] and was recessed a cubit” was not [measured] with a cubit of five [handbreadths].    
and [likewise on] its border, [going] one span to its edge: The horns, both in their breadth and in their height, were [measured] with a cubit of five [handbreadths].    
14And from the base on the ground to the lower ledge shall be two cubits; and the breadth, one cubit; and from the smaller ledge to the greater ledge, four cubits; and the breadth, one cubit.   ידוּמֵחֵ֨יק הָאָ֜רֶץ עַד־הָֽעֲזָרָ֚ה הַתַּחְתּוֹנָה֙ שְׁתַּ֣יִם אַמּ֔וֹת וְרֹ֖חַב אַמָּ֣ה אֶחָ֑ת וּמֵהָֽעֲזָרָ֨ה הַקְּטַנָּ֜ה עַד־הָֽעֲזָרָ֚ה הַגְּדוֹלָה֙ אַרְבַּ֣ע אַמּ֔וֹת וְרֹ֖חַב הָֽאַמָּֽה:
And from the base on the ground [Heb.: ×•Ö¼×žÖµ×—ֵיק הָאָרֶץ. From the “yesod,” from the floor of the earth.    
to the lower ledge: [Heb. הָעֲזָרָה, lit. court.] Until the top of the first frame.    
two cubits: It was not the same in the [Second] Temple, for there, we learned (Zeb. 54a): “They bring a frame of 32 [cubits] by 32 [cubits], whose height is a cubit,” whereas here its height is two cubits.    
and the breadth one cubit: when one places the second frame upon it. The second frame was thirty by thirty, the result being that it [the bottom, 32 by 32 cubit frame] had a recess around it a cubit wide which was the base. Jonathan renders: עֲזָרָה as מסְתַּמְתָא, a word for floor, [and it was called so] because one would fill the frame with smooth stones, pitch, lime, and molten lead, mix it and pour it out and smooth it out on top, and behold, it would be a kind of floor.    
and from the smaller ledge to the greater ledge four cubits: From the top of the lower frame until the top of the frame that was upon it was a height of four cubits.    
and the breadth, one cubit: This is the amount of the recess of the circuit. It went up four cubits and went in one cubit. [In the second Temple, it went up five cubits and went in one.] And this is the “circuit.” The lower one is called smaller because it is only two [cubits] high, whereas the upper one is four.    
15And the altar hearth shall be four cubits, and from the altar hearth and above, the horns shall be four.   טווְהַֽהַרְאֵ֖ל אַרְבַּ֣ע אַמּ֑וֹת וּמֵהָֽאֲרִיאֵ֣ל(כתיב וּמֵהָֽאֲרִאֵ֣יל) ×•Ö¼×œÖ°×žÖ·Ö”עְלָה הַקְּרָנ֖וֹת אַרְבַּֽע:
And the altar hearth: The height of the top of the altar, from the circuit and above; and in the [Second] Temple it was only three [cubits]. Jonathan, too, renders: And the altar was four cubits.    
16And the altar hearth shall be twelve [cubits in] length by twelve [cubits in] breadth, square to its four sides.   טזוְהָֽאֲרִיאֵ֗ל (כתיב וְהָֽאֲרִאֵ֗יל) ×©Ö°××ªÖµÖ¼Öš×™× עֶשְׂרֵה֙ אֹ֔רֶךְ בִּשְׁתֵּ֥ים עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה רֹ֑חַב רָב֕וּעַ אֶ֖ל אַרְבַּ֥עַת רְבָעָֽיו:
And the altar hearth shall be twelve [cubits in] length: The [entire] place for the woodpile was twenty-four [cubits] by twenty-four [cubits] and this [section] was twelve by twelve.    
to [each of] its four sides: [i.e.,] he measured twelve [cubits] from its center to every side. Behold [it was] 24 [cubits] by 24 [cubits]. So is it clear from Zebahim (61b), and so have we learned in Tractate Middoth (3:1): The altar [of the second Temple] was 32 by 32 [cubits]. It extended upward a cubit and receded a cubitforming the baseleaving it 30 by 30 [cubits]. It extended upward five [cubits] and receded a cubitthis is the circuitleaving 28 by 28 [cubits]. The area for the horns was a cubit here and a cubit there, leaving 26 by 26 [cubits]. The area for the priests to walk was a cubit here and a cubit there, leaving 24 by 24 [cubits] the place for the woodpiles.    
17And the ledge, fourteen [cubits in] length by fourteen [cubits in] breadth, to its four sides, and the boundary around it half a cubit, and its base a cubit all around, and its ascent will look towards the east.   יזוְהָֽעֲזָרָ֞ה אַרְבַּ֧ע עֶשְׂרֵ֣ה אֹ֗רֶךְ בְּאַרְבַּ֚ע עֶשְׂרֵה֙ רֹ֔חַב אֶ֖ל אַרְבַּ֣עַת רְבָעֶ֑יהָ וְהַגְּבוּ֩ל סָבִ֨יב אוֹתָ֜הּ חֲצִ֣י הָֽאַמָּ֗ה וְהַחֵֽיק־לָּ֚הּ אַמָּה֙ סָבִ֔יב וּמַֽעֲלֹתֵ֖הוּ פְּנ֥וֹת קָדִֽים:
And the ledge, fourteen [cubits in] length: The top of the altar, including the area for the horns and including the area for the feet of the priests, was 28 by 28 [cubits], and the 14 mentioned here were measured from its center, as is explained by “to its four sides.”    
and the boundary around it: Jonathan renders: and the rim, but our Sages explained it as referring to the horns.    
half a cubit: He measures from its center; hence it was a cubit by a cubit.    
and its base a cubit: This is the recession of the base.    
and its ascents will look towards the east: The ramp upon which they ascended was in the south in order that the one who ascended it would face east, for all the [priests’] turns were made toward the right, and when you place the ramp in the south, the one who ascends it and turns right faces east.    
18And He said to me; Son of man, thus says the Lord God: These are the ordinances of the altar on the day when it will be made, to offer burnt offerings thereon and to sprinkle blood thereon.   יחוַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלַ֗י בֶּן־אָדָם֙ ×›Ö¹Ö¼Öš×” אָמַר֙ אֲדֹנָ֣י יֱהֹוִ֔ה אֵלֶּה חֻקּ֣וֹת הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ בְּי֖וֹם הֵֽעָשׂוֹת֑וֹ לְהַֽעֲל֚וֹת עָלָיו֙ עוֹלָ֔ה וְלִזְרֹ֥ק עָלָ֖יו דָּֽם:
19And you shall give it to the priests, the Levites, who are of the seed of Zadok, who are near to Me, says the Lord God, to serve Me, a young bull for a sin-offering.   יטוְנָֽתַתָּ֣ה אֶל־הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֣ים הַלְוִיִּ֡ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֵם֩ מִזֶּ֨רַע צָד֜וֹק הַקְּרֹבִ֣ים אֵלַ֗י נְאֻ֛ם אֲדֹנָ֥י יֱהֹוִ֖ה לְשָֽׁרְתֵ֑נִי פַּ֥ר בֶּן־בָּקָ֖ר לְחַטָּֽאת:
the priests, the Levites: [i.e.,] who are of the tribe of Levi.    
who are of the seed of Zadok: Since he was the High Priest who was the first to serve in the Temple, in the days of Solomon, they are [all] called by his name.    
20And you shall take of its blood and place it on its four horns and on the four corners of the upper edge and to the border around, and you shall purify it and make it fit for atonement.   כוְלָֽקַחְתָּ֣ מִדָּמ֗וֹ וְנָ֨תַתָּ֜ה עַל־אַרְבַּ֚ע קַרְנֹתָיו֙ וְאֶל־אַרְבַּע֙ פִּנּ֣וֹת הָֽעֲזָרָ֔ה וְאֶל־הַגְּב֖וּל סָבִ֑יב וְחִטֵּאתָ֥ אוֹת֖וֹ וְכִפַּרְתָּֽהוּ:
on its four horns: [i.e., the four horns] of the altar.    
corners of the uppermost ledge: the top of the altar.    
and make it fit for atonement: You shall “wipe” it of its ordinariness to initiate it into sanctity, so that it will befit for [providing] atonement from then on.    
21And you shall take the bull of the sin-offering, and he shall burn it at the end of the House, outside the Sanctuary.   כאוְלָ֣קַחְתָּ֔ אֵ֖ת הַפָּ֣ר הַֽחַטָּ֑את וּשְׂרָפוֹ֙ בְּמִפְקַ֣ד הַבַּ֔יִת מִח֖וּץ לַמִּקְדָּֽשׁ:
at the end of the House: [Heb. בְּמִפְקַד.] Jonathan renders: in a place where he sees the House, i.e., in a holy place. בְּמִפְקַד הַבַּיִת means a place where the House terminates, as in (Num. 32:49): “and not one man of us is terminated (נִפְקַד).” This [bull] is the bull of investiture, [used] in the manner that they [used it] in the Tabernacle, and that bull was burnt and not eaten. And our Sages expounded so in Menahoth (45a): They sacrificed investiture offerings in Ezra’s days just as they sacrificed in Moses’ days.    
22And on the second day you shall offer a he-goat without blemish for a sin offering, and they shall purify the altar as they purified it with the bull.   כבוּבַיּוֹם֙ הַשֵּׁנִ֔י תַּקְרִ֛יב שְׂעִֽיר־עִזִּ֥ים תָּמִ֖ים לְחַטָּ֑את וְחִטְּאוּ֙ אֶת־הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר חִטְּא֖וּ בַּפָּֽר:
you shall offer a he-goat: This was not [done] in the Tabernacle [of Moses’ time], but the investiture of the future will be [done] so by Divine ordinance.    
23When you have completed the purification, you shall bring near a young bull without a blemish and a ram without blemish from the flock.   כגבְּכַלּֽוֹתְךָ֖ מֵֽחַטֵּ֑א תַּקְרִיב֙ פַ֣ר בֶּן־בָּקָ֣ר תָּמִ֔ים וְאַ֥יִל מִן־הַצֹּ֖אן תָּמִֽים:
the purification [Heb.: ×žÖµ×—ַטֵא,] from purifying.    
24And you shall offer them before the Lord, and the priests shall cast salt upon them, and offer them up to God as a burnt offering.   כדוְהִקְרַבְתָּ֖ם לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וְהִשְׁלִ֨יכוּ הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֚ים עֲלֵיהֶם֙ מֶ֔לַח וְהֶעֱל֥וּ אוֹתָ֛ם עֹלָ֖ה לַֽיהֹוָֽה:
25For seven days shall you make a he-goat for a sin-offering every day, and a young bull and a ram from the flock without blemish shall they make.   כהשִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֔ים תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה שְׂעִֽיר־חַטָּ֖את לַיּ֑וֹם וּפַ֧ר בֶּן־בָּקָ֛ר וְאַ֥יִל מִן־הַצֹּ֖אן תְּמִימִ֥ים יַֽעֲשֽׂוּ:
without blemish shall they make: (the burnt offering).    
26For seven days shall they effect atonement for the altar, and purify it and dedicate it.   כושִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֗ים יְכַפְּרוּ֙ אֶת־הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ וְטִֽהֲר֖וּ אֹת֑וֹ וּמִלְא֖וּ יָדָֽיו (כתיב יָדָֽו) :
27And when they have completed the days, then it shall be that on the eighth day and thenceforth, the priests shall make your burnt offerings and your peace-offerings on the altar, and I will accept you with satisfaction, says the Lord God.   כזוִֽיכַלּ֖וּ אֶת־הַיָּמִ֑ים וְהָיָה֩ בַיּ֨וֹם הַשְּׁמִינִ֜י וָהָ֗לְאָה יַֽעֲשׂ֨וּ הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֚ים עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּ֙חַ֙ אֶת־עוֹלֽוֹתֵיכֶם֙ וְאֶת־שַׁלְמֵיכֶ֔ם וְרָצִ֣אתִי אֶתְכֶ֔ם נְאֻ֖ם אֲדֹנָ֥י יֱהֹוִֽה:
and I will accept you with satisfaction [Heb.: ×•Ö°×¨Ö¸×¦Ö´××ªÖ´×™,] from רָצוֹן will.