Weekly Torah Lesson
Parasha: Tetsaveh He commanded
Torah: Shemot 27:20 – 30:10
20 And you shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure beaten olive oil for the light, that the lamp may be set up to burn continually. 21 In the tent of meeting, outside the veil which is before the testimony, Aharon and his sons shall tend it from evening to morning before Avinu. It shall be a statute for ever to be observed throughout their generations by the people of Israel. (Shemot 27:20-21)
The Oil
The oil, when used as a metaphor, represents the Holy Spirit in both the The Tanach and the Apostolic Writings. In the parable of the ten virgins, the five foolish virgins were performing “acts of kindness” on the foundation of their own emotions and not under the influence of Ruach HaKadosh. Notice what the Scriptures say:
1 Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. (Mt 25:1-4)
But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! (Mt 6:23)
And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. (2Co 11:14)
The Light
The “Light” that others can observe in us are the “Acts of Kindness” that we perform for the benefit of others.
15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Mt 5:15-16)
4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. (John 1:4-7)
The Lamp
The “Lamp” is the vessel that contains the “oil” and the “Light”. Scripture refers to this “container” as a “Temple”.
He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light. (John 5:35)
35 Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. 36 If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light. (Lu 11:35-36)
Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. (Lu 12:33)
Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; (Lu 12:35)
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