Exodus 27:20-30:10
Haftarah: Ezekiel 43:10-27
13 Adar 5760
February 19, 2000
Focus Passage: Exodus 29:1-46
The Consecration of the Priests
The setting apart of the priests for the service of G-d involved a great deal of ritual which was similar to that of most peoples of the ancient Near East. There were some basic principles which were of permanent significance. The ceremonies of washing, cleansing, anointing, and offering the special sacrifices were performed to show that a priest could not lead others further in the service of G-d than he had gone himself. Further, in order to serve G-d, one must be both clean and pure, as well as being set apart by G-d.
The "seven days" devoted to the ordination of the priests here was probably quite literal, although it certainly carried the idea that they were totally and completely devoted to G-d. The seven days of ordination were probably also to signify that every day of the week was to be devoted to the service of G-d.
We should probably note that Moses, the priests, and Israel were just going through the symbols. The actual consecration of both objects and persons was done by G-d. His grace (a Jewish term before the Christians borrowed it), made them effective. The purpose of this ritual and this consecration was that G-d would "abide among the Israelites, and I will be their G-d" (v.45). This ritual was to help them know that He was the G-d who had redeemed them from Egypt. The final phrase "I the L-rd am their G-d" (v. 46) is uniquely a covenant phrase. Because they were His people through the Exodus and the Torah, they had a special ritual of worship.
Shalom U'Bracha,
Thomas
