Consecration Ceremony – Command and Implementation/2

Consecration Ceremony – Command and Implementation

Exegetical Approaches

This topic has not yet undergone editorial review

Command vs. Fulfillment

Sources:RambanVayikra 8:2Vayikra 8:7-11Vayikra 8:30Vayikra 9:3About R. Moshe b. Nachman, Malbim, R. D"Z Hoffmann

Context – The commands regarding the Days of Consecration in Parashat Tetzaveh follow the directives regarding the priestly garments, while the description of the fulfillment in Vayikra 8 follows the laws of sacrifices.

Order of objects brought – It is possible that in Sefer Shemot the objects are listed in order of importance.  Since the sacrifices are the key component in the inauguration of the Mishkan, they are mentioned first.¹ In Vayikra, in contrast, the order is practical; the objects are  listed according to the order in which they were to be used during the ceremony.²  Since the clothing and anointing of Aharon precede the offering of sacrifices, the priests, clothing and oil are mentioned first.³

Aharon and sons – It is not clear why Aharon and his sons are grouped together more often in the command than in the description of the fulfillment.  Perhaps this is just for the sake of brevity.⁴

Urim and Tummim – Ramban explains that the command in Shemot 29 omits mention of the Urim and Tummim since they have just been discussed in the previous chapter when describing the priestly garments.  Since the Urim and Tummim are not an independent article of clothing, but rather something which is placed in the Choshen,⁵ mention of the Choshen alone sufficed.⁶  In Vayikra, where the surrounding chapters had made no mention of priestly garments, there was need for more elaboration.⁷

Presence of the congregation – As the laws of Shemot 29 are directed only at Moshe and the priests, it is not particularly surprising that there is no mention there of assembling the nation to witness the ceremony.

Laws for future generations – The few laws that relate to future generations and not the Days of Consecration themselves are included only in the directives of Shemot since there is no place for them during the actual ceremony, which focused only on what was taking place at the moment.

Anointing of Mishkan – Since Parashat Tetzaveh as a whole revolves around only the priests and their clothing, rather than the vessels of the Tabernacle, only the anointing of Aharon (and not the Mishkan as a whole)⁸ is highlighted in Shemot 29. The command to anoint the Tabernacle and its vessels comes instead in Shemot 40, in the fitting context of the erecting of the Mishkan.⁹ In practice, though, the two anointings took place together.

Order of the clothing and anointing – Ramban suggests that though Shemot 40 mentions clothing Aharon only after anointing the Mishkan, Moshe did the opposite when fulfilling the command, since Aharon was to be anointed immediately afterwards¹⁰ and logic mandated that Aharon be ready to serve (and, thus, fully garbed in his priestly vestments) when anointed. Shemot 40 only reversed the order for brevity, as this allowed it to group Aharon and sons together, rather than discussing the clothing and anointing of each independently.¹¹

Sprinkling of oil on the altar ("וַיַּז מִמֶּנּוּ עַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ שֶׁבַע פְּעָמִים") – This is not mentioned  explicitly in either Shemot 29 or 40,¹² but Ramban suggests that Moshe learned it from the directive, " וְקִדַּשְׁתָּ אֶת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ וְהָיָה הַמִּזְבֵּחַ קֹדֶשׁ קׇדָשִׁים" (Shemot 40:10).  If the altar was meant to be of holier status that other vessels, then it presumably needed more sprinkling than them.  Moreover, since the people whose job it was to offer sacrifices were sprinkled with oil, it made sense that the vessel on which the sacrifices were offered receive the same treatment.

Sprinkling of blood and oil on Aharon and children – Though, in the command, this is mentioned before the burning of the Miluim, Ramban suggests that the phrase there "וְקָדַשׁ הוּא וּבְגָדָיו וּבָנָיו וּבִגְדֵי בָנָיו אִתּוֹ" (Shemot 29:21) teaches that this sprinkling was meant to complete the sanctification process, and as such, could occur only at the end of the sacrificial process.  It might be  mentioned earlier¹³ only to juxtapose it to the blood which was thrown on the altar so as to clarify that the same blood that is thrown is to be mixed with the oil.¹⁴ 

 פַּר הַחַטָּאת vs.חַטָּאת הוּא – Throughout the directives of Shemot 29, none of the sacrifices are referred to by name until their protocol has been described.¹⁵  As this is the first time that the priests have been introduced to sacrificial laws, it is only after hearing about each that they are given a name.  In Vayikra, in contrast, the sacrifices can be called by name upfront since by then the laws of sacrifices have been relayed and the categories were familiar.  This, however, does not explain why Vayikra repeatedly refers to the פר החטאת in this manner, only referring to it as merely a "cow" once.

Not leaving the Tent of Meeting – This fact is omitted from the discussion in Shemot 29 since the focus there is purely  on the processes related to the sacrificial procedures and consecration.  This directive is secondary as it plays no direct role in the initiation, and is merely a technical directive to ensure that the priests remain pure.¹⁶

The eighth day – According to this approach, the rites performed on the eighth day were not commanded in Shemot 29 since they were to be completed by Aharon, not Moshe.  As the directives of Shemot 29 are aimed at Moshe, they have no place there.

Change of Plan

The differences between the command and its implementation stem from an intervening event, the Sin of the Golden Calf, which caused a change of plan.  The goal of the ceremony was no longer simply to consecrate the Mishkan, the altar and its priests, but also to atone for the sin and highlight that Aharon was forgiven.

Sources:RambanVayikra 8:2Vayikra 8:7-11Vayikra 8:30Vayikra 9:3About R. Moshe b. Nachman

Chronology – This position assumes a straightforward chronology of the events of Sefer Shemot, and that the initial commands regarding the building of the Tabernacle preceded the Sin of the Golden Calf, while the directives of Shemot 40 and the fulfillment of the command in Vayikra 8 followed it.

Order of objects brought – In the command, the sacrifices are mentioned first among the objects to be brought, since, at that point, initiating the sacrificial worship through a sampling of offerings and the consecration of the altar and its priests, was the main goal of the ceremony.   Afterwards, though, attaining atonement and highlighting Aharon's priestly status became a primary focus of the ceremony and so the priests are mentioned first.

Aharon and sons – Throughout the commands, Aharon and his sons tend to be grouped together.  In the execution, though, Aharon is differentiated from them.  In the aftermath of the sin, when the people might have questioned Aharon's status, it was important to highlight that not only did he not lose his priestly status, but that his status was even higher than that of his children.

Presence of the congregation – Since part of the goal of the ceremony became to demonstrate that Aharon was forgiven and still consecrated, it was now necessary that the people witness the ceremony.¹⁷ Beforehand, this was inconsequential.

Urim and Tummim – Shemot 28:30 states that when wearing the Urim and Tummim, "Aaron shall bear the judgment of the Children of Israel," suggesting that perhaps it played some sort of role in atonement, bearing the punishment of Israel.  If so, it might be emphasized only in the aftermath of the sin, to show how Aharon was not only forgiven, but that in his role as high priest, he will enable the forgiveness of others.¹⁸

Choshen before or after the Efod? In Vayikra 8, the Choshen is mentioned after the Efod only because the text wanted to elaborate about the placement of the Urim and Tumim inside without breaking the flow of the narrative.

פַּר הַחַטָּאת – It is only in Vayikra 8 that the cow is consistently referred to as "the cow of the sin offering" (פַּר הַחַטָּאת), perhaps because here it is coming not just as an example of a sin offering,¹⁹ but to actually atone for the sin of the Calf.²⁰

"שִׁבְעַת יָמִים תְּכַפֵּר עַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ" vs. "לְכַפֵּר עֲלֵיכֶם" – In Shemot 29, there is am emphasis on bringing the "פַר חַטָּאת" for seven days so that it will atone for the altar. This highlights how, at that point, one of the  main goals of the ceremony was the consecration and purifying of the altar for the sacrificial service. In Vayikra 8, in contrast, there is the added emphasis on "atoning for you".  It is no longer enough to purify the altar, the priests themselves need atonement.

Not leaving the Tent of Meeting – As the priests are no longer just one of a list of items that need to be consecrated together with the altar²¹ but independently need atonement, Hashem emphasizes how they need to be present at the Tent of Meeting throughout the seven day period.²²

The eighth day – Ramban suggests that maybe the entire ceremony of the eighth day was not part of the original plan, and was added only to provide atonement for the sin.²³ Several aspects of the day's protocol might support this:

• Both Aharon and the nation are told to bring a calf specifically (as a Chattat and Olah respectively).  Nowhere else is it mandated that a calf be brought as a sacrifice, suggesting that the choice is significant and perhaps related to the sin.
• Ramban further points out that Aharon's two offerings and the nation's Chattat are identical to that which they bring on Yom HaKippurim, a day instituted to re-enact the original atonement achieved for the Sin of the Calf, further suggesting that they are commanded so as to attain atonement.
• ChizkuniVayikra 8:14Vayikra 8:30Vayikra 9:2-3About R. Chizkiyah b. Manoach, instead, compares the nation's offerings to those prescribed for inadvertently worshiping idolatry.²⁴

Anointing of Mishkan – This approach would likely suggest that the omission of this directive in Shemot 29 is technical in nature. Since the discussions of Parashat Tetzaveh surround the priests and their clothing, rather than the vessels of the Tabernacle as whole, only the anointing of Aharon is highlighted.  The command to anoint the Tabernacle and its vessels comes instead in Shemot 40, in the fitting context of the erecting the Mishkan.²⁵

Were Aharon's sons anointed? Neither Shemot 29 nor Vayikra 8 mention the anointing Aharon's sons, only of sprinkling them with the blood from the altar mixed with the oil. Shemot 40, though, does include them among the objects anointed, leading to debate regarding either they were in fact anointed or not.

Laws for future generations – This approach would explain like the above position, that there is no place for such directives in the description of the actual ceremony.

¹ R. Hoffman alternatively explains that since in Sefer Shemot the previous chapters focused on the clothing of the priests, there was no need to open the discussion of the days of Consecration by mandating their being brought. Instead the verses highlight the new objects that now needed to be prepared, the various sacrifices.

² See Malbim similarly, "כי שם הקדים התכלית שהיא העולה בחשבה תחילה ופה במעשה  קיי"ל דאין מעבירים על  המצוות, והכין אהרון ובניו ובגדים ושמן שהם נמשחו ראשונה ואחריו הקרבנות שהי' אחר משיחה""

³ One might compare this to the making of the vessels of the Mishkan; the order of the vessels there, too, differs in the command and its fulfillment.  While in the command the objects are listed in accord with their importance (beginning with the Ark and ending with the physical structure of the Tabernacle), in the fulfillment they are listed in the order in which they were crafted, an order based on practical concerns. [The structure is built first since the vessels could not be built until there was a Tabernacle in which to house them.]

⁴ This, though, would not explain why the dressing of Aharon in his אבנט is mentioned only together with his sons.  Once the rest of the discussion of his clothing was distinguished form that of the sons, it  would not have made any difference if the אבנט was discussed there as well.

⁵ See Urim VeTumim for different opinions regarding the nature of the Urim and Tummim.

⁶ With the background from chapter 28, it was obvious that it included the Urim and Tumim.

⁷ This need for elaboration likely also explains why in Vayikra the Choshen is mentioned only after the Efod.  Since the text digresses to mention the placing of the Urim and Tumim inside, it speaks of the Choshen last.

⁸ The only vessel which Shmeot 29 commands to anoint in the altar (see Shemot 29:36).  This exception is logical as the entire chapter speaks of the sacrificial offerings to be brought during the ceremony.

⁹ B. Kehat suggests an alternative understanding of the relationship between Shemot 29 and 40. He explains that the Mishkan served two main roles, being a vehicle for sacrificial service, and also a place to house the Divine presence. While Shemot 29 focuses on the initiation of the altar and sacrificial service, Shemot 40 focuses on the initiation of the various vessels and their role in inviting the Divine presence. As such, only Shemot 40 mentions the anointing of the vessels. Since the priests play a role in both the sacrificial service and in inviting the Divine presence, their anointing is mentioned in each chapter.  When the actual ceremony took place, the two aspects are combined in one process.

¹⁰ See Shemot 30:30

¹¹ Since the sons were only sprinkled with the oil later in the ceremony they were clothed after the anointing of the Mishkan. If Shemot 40 wanted to speak about father and son together, it had to decide whether to mention the clothing before the anointing of the Mishkan (as was true for Aharon) or only after (as was true for the sons).  It is not clear why it chose the latter.

¹² See RashiVayikra 8:11About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki who states, "לא ידעתי היכן נצטוה בהזאות הללו".

¹³ B. Kehat further suggests that since the priests are being consecrated so as to play a role in the sacrificial service, the juxtaposition highlights the idea that the priestly sanctification stems form the fact that the blood sprinkled upon them was from a sacrifice.

¹⁴ Since Shemot 29 tangentially mentions several  laws related to future generations right after discussion of the Miluim's sacrificial process, it already distracts the reader from the consecration process.

¹⁵ See Shemot 29:10, 15, and 19 which simply name the animal to be sacrificed, and then 14, 18, 22 which identify the sacrifice.

¹⁶ Abarbanel, alternatively suggests that it was also meant to ensure that they carefully studied the sacrificial process so that they would not err in the future with fatal consequences.

¹⁷ See Ramban.

¹⁸ Alternatively, it is meant as a constant reminder to him of the judgement pending for one's sins.

¹⁹ In Shemot 29, it is first in verse 14 that the reader even knows that the cow is meant to be a Chattat offering.  After detailing its sacrificial procedure, the verse declares, "חַטָּאת הוּא".

²⁰ See Malbim.

²¹ In other words, initially the priests were viewed like any other vessel that played a role in the cultic service; each needed to be anointed and consecrated, but only as part of the consecration of the altar as a whole. Now the priests required their own atonement, unconnected to the general purification process.

²² It is also possible that this is a corrective for the nation not having waited for Moshe to come down the mountain and prematurely assuming he died, prompting the making of the Calf. The priests, thus, are commanded to wait at the Tent of the Meeting, day and night.

²³ See also Sifra Vayikra9:2About the Sifra Vayikra, Targum Pseudo-JonathanVayikra 8:2Vayikra 9:2About Targum Pseudo-Jonathan and Ibn EzraVayikra 9:2About R. Avraham ibn Ezra who speak only about the calf serving as atonement for the sin.

²⁴ See Bemidbar 15:24, that the nation must bring a goat for a sin offering and a cow as an Olah (here replaced by a calf).  [In Vayikra, though, they must additionally bring a sheep as an Olah, and other animals for a Shelamim]

²⁵ The order of the anointment in the Shemot 40 nonetheless does not match that in Vayikra 8.