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With Parshat Pekudei we complete the book of Shemot. It is with precision and drama that the final touches are put onto the Mishkan and the cloud of God's presence settles over it.
Aaron and his four sons are separated, trained and then blessed and anointed for their work in the Mishkan.
I was struck by Shemot 40:12-15 which speaks about dressing and anointing Aaron and his four sons. I wanted to understand what how they felt about this important (and dangerous) work in the presence of God that they were chosen to do. Much of what I wrote was colored by what we will read in a few weeks in Sefer Vayikra, where two of Aaron's sons will be killed instantly when they go to make their sacrifices. This made me wonder about how easy it would be to make a mistake upon beginning this work. Don't we all have to grow into a job?
Doesn't it take time to become accustomed to new work?
So, come with me to the camp, come with me to the mishkan, almost completed and sit with Aaron and his sons for a few moments. Forgive any errors, for I am no scholar, but my heart is with Aaron and his sons.
Once a house was built.
So perfect,
so lovely;
a home that could travel
in a tent,
in a desert,
in a time of transition
of a stiff necked people
of a nation,
of a nation under God,
a nation of priests.
The house was made of
dolphin skin,
silver and gold
wood and wonder.
A triumph,
a creation.
A traveling house for God
God must have looked on
as the house was created.
It went according to plan
welded and sewn
And perhaps God said
that it was good,
very, very good.
And one day
a cloud came to rest
on the beautiful house
in the desert.
A protective cover;
it filled the space
with holiness,
with protection
with fear.
And it was very good.
**
Once there was a man
who had four sons
in a nation of stiff necked people,
in a nation of priests
he was the priest's priest.
Once there was a man with four sons.
Each son different,
each had a name,
but the people referred to them
As the father
and the four sons
or the father
and the two sons.
The father and the four
saw the activity
humming around them;
golds and purples
linens and silks
wood and jewels
swirling.
They saw from afar
and from the center
for they were at the center,
weren't they?
One day the stiff necked people
saw the cloud
descend
and they knew that
something had changed.
They felt a presence
and a hush spread
over the camp.
It was time to separate,
to isolate,
to consecrate.
And so the man and his four sons
waited at the entrance
in the center
alone,
away,
apart.
The man and his four sons
trembled among themselves
They sat alone and prepared.
Maybe they worried?
Maybe they whispered
among themselves?
Did they recall
family stories
as
they prepared for their debut?
Did they doubt themselves,
for they were but novices
and it was only they
who would stand
by the beautiful house
with the cloud hovering
and the fire burning.
The time approached.
The man
and his four sons
were bathed
and clothed
in white
They bowed their heads
and received a blessing.
And oil was poured
upon their heads
and they were pure
and they were frightened.
And there was evening
and there was morning.
And it was good.
And sweat mixed with the oil
that dripped from their brows.
They were ready;
pure of heart
but one can never know
the intentions of the heart.
We are not angels
We are not seraphs
We are not golden.
For we are but human.
And the father waits in his finery
and his four sons
wait in white,
oil dripping,
blessed and consecrated,
surrounded by the house
enveloped by the cloud,
apart from the people
the fire burns
They are ready,
as ready as can be.
But are they?
From the Holman Bible (Wikemedia). Taken from My Jewish Learning
You shall bring Aaron and his sons forward to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting and wash them with the water.
Put the sacral vestments on Aaron, and anoint him and consecrate him, that he may serve Me as priest.
Then bring his sons forward, put tunics on them,
and anoint them as you have anointed their father, that they may serve Me as priests. This their anointing shall serve them for everlasting priesthood throughout the ages.
Exodus 40:12-15. Translation from Sefaria
For interesting midrash on the time that Aaron and his four sons became priests visit: