Pure olive oil – T’tzavveh
The name of the sidra means, “you shall command”. It opens with words addressed to Moses, “You shall command the Children of Israel that they shall bring pure olive oil to set up the lamp continually”.
The Midrash offers a reason for the allocation of this task to Moses. While the tabernacle was in course of construction, Moses watched the various sections of the people bringing offerings, but he himself had nothing to bring. He appealed to God to enable him to contribute towards the sanctuary. God replied that his contribution would be greater than all the others – to command the people to kindle the eternal light.
Moses’ task was not simply to see that Israel had a sacred edifice, but to give them a sense of purpose, a faith in God, in themselves and in their special destiny. It had to be strong enough to last. Like an eternal flame, it had to remain alight without fear of extinction throughout the generations.
This is why the light had to use only pure olive oil, because the people’s faith had to remain intact and undiluted whatever the future might bring.
