Points to Ponder
The Kohain Gadol (High Priest) was instructed to put bells on one of his robes, so that the noise made by the bells would be heard as he approached the Holy Temple to begin his work. In other words, he should not turn up unannounced. The Chafetz Chaim, in his commentary on the chumash noted that if for the service of Hashem Who knows our every movement we had to announce ourselves, how much more so for other humans. This means that even in our own homes we should knock before we enter, or at least call out to indicate our presence.

The daily sacrifice is mentioned in Tetzaveh for the first time. It is also mentioned in Pinchas. In Tetzaveh, the Torah refers to the sacrificial lamb with the definite article, the lamb, whereas in Pinchas, it says a sacrificial lamb. Why the difference?

The answer is that if it should happen that no lamb is available in the morning, one may still offer up the afternoon sacrifice. But on the very first day, there is no excuse for not getting it right. The lamb must be ready to be offered.

This is an important general lesson in life - perhaps nowhere more so than in marriage. Before two people begin married life together, they must clearly determine their goals, and specifically the Jewish goals of their marriage. Changes can be made later, but it is much more difficult.

The Haftarah is taken from the book of Ezekiel. It is set after the destruction of the First Temple and anticipates the building of the Second Temple. Detailed instructions are given as to the dimensions of building and its consecration ceremony. We are told that it would last forever if the Jewish People would have full remorse over their sins, which had caused the destruction of the First Temple, and if they kept to the ways of the Torah.

Shabbat Shalom