I’m Shirah Chanté, Relationship Artist, here with another episode of my Perfect Body Podcast, a Torah portion afterthought. Today, we’re studying the book of Exodus, exploring Tetzaveh. To command and to serve with love is our call.
Drawing Closer to God
The core of our discussion centers on the first and second commandments as reiterated by Jesus, Yeshua, the Messiah: to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love others as ourselves. Understanding God is an eternal journey. My personal quest, which led me to divinity school at 24, was born out of a desire to truly know God amidst life’s trials.
The Levitical Priesthood
In Tetzaveh, we uncover the sacred duties of Aaron and his sons in setting up the Levitical priesthood. Aaron’s call to serve as a conduit between God and the Israelites was profound. The specifics of their garments and the intricate designs on the priestly ephod with its breastplate filled with twelve beautiful gems paint a vivid picture of holiness and dedication.
Understanding the Sacred Incense
The Tetzaveh Torah portion also discusses the sacred incense offerings, a practice deeply consecrated and specific to God’s will. On a personal note, years ago, I learned the importance of discernment with seemingly innocuous practices like burning incense. God’s guidance to avoid certain spiritual influences like burning incense in my apartment was a gentle reminder to focus on purity and devotion. I further learned that I must be careful about practices that could potentially have harmful implications in the spiritual realms.
The Power of Consistent Worship
One of the greatest insights from this portion is the concept of the morning and evening sacrifices. In Exodus 29, God commands the offering of two lambs a day as a symbol of continual devotion. This rhythm of sacrificial worship speaks volumes about consistency in our relationship with God.
Creating Your Personal Altar
As we reflect on the ancient practice of the morning and evening sacrifice, I believe we can emulate this devotion through simple, daily acts of worship. Not with altars of old, but with hearts set on divine through prayer, Bible study, or meditation. I invite you to join me in this spiritual undertaking. Establish a morning and evening routine to connect with God, either a family time or a personal moment to uplift your spirit daily.
A Prayer for Dedication
I pray for all of us who seek to create this sacred time with God. May our lives be adjusted to find harmony within God’s schedule, and may our souls yearn continuously for a deeper connection with our Creator.
Our journey through the Torah enriches our faith, offering us the wisdom to shape our lives around God’s love and commands. Let’s continue this spiritual exploration and grow in faith together.
Thank you for joining me on this Tetzaveh Torah portion. I eagerly anticipate our next exploration in the upcoming Torah portion, Ki Tisa. Until then, let’s cherish the beauty of God’s love with morning and evening sacrifices of devotion.
God bless, Shirah Chanté, Relationship Artist
