Glossary of Terms Used in the Tetzaveh Weekly Torah Portion

Everlasting Candle

A person who wants to reach the point of contact with the Creator, called “the priest’s work in the Temple,” must first see to always having the light that reforms, for only with it is one sanctified—adding the aim to bestow to one’s desires, thus rising closer to the Creator.

Olive Oil

In spirituality, “olive oil” is the light that reaches Zeir Anpin, Malchut.

Priest

A “priest” is man’s highest degree. It comes from the left line and from the right line, and reaches pure and complete bestowal. This degree includes the degree of Bina, ZAT of Bina, and the upper degree, GAR of Bina. It is impossible to be a priest without also having Levites and Israel inside. That is, a “priest” is one who tends to the entire world, as well as to Israel, and unites with everyone.

It is hard work to achieve the degree of a priest because one must actualize the greatest and most powerful desires.

Breastplate

The “breastplate” is one of those elements of clothing that belongs to the inner part of the soul.

Summary

The portion, Tetzaveh, is our approach to the Creator. If we want to correct ourselves, we have every possibility to do so while giving our material bodies whatever they need. The important thing in life is to reach the eternal and complete world, as it is written, “You will see your world in your life,”¹ here and now. It is all expressed in the connection between us: from the love of man to love of the Creator. This is how we achieve the end of correction. We can do it here and now; it is entirely up to us.