Saadia's Tafsir on Shemot 28 (Parashat Tetzaveh)

Shemot 28:1

וְאַתָּה הַקְרֵב אֵלֶיךָ אֶת-אַהֲרֹן אָחִיךָ וְאֶת-בָּנָיו אִתּוֹ מִתּוֹךְ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל--לְכַהֲנוֹ-לִי אַהֲרֹן--נָדָב וַאֲבִיהוּא אֶלְעָזָר וְאִיתָמָר בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן

. . . . .

And you also — bring forward to yourself Aaron your brother and his sons with him, from among the sons of Israel, that they may lead worship for Me: Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, his sons.

Shemot 28:2

וְעָשִׂיתָ בִגְדֵי-קֹדֶשׁ לְאַהֲרֹן אָחִיךָ לְכָבוֹד וּלְתִפְאָרֶת

.

And make garments of holiness for Aaron your brother, for honor and glory.

Shemot 28:3

וְאַתָּה תְּדַבֵּר אֶל-כָּל-חַכְמֵי-לֵב אֲשֶׁר מִלֵּאתִיו רוּחַ חָכְמָה וְעָשׂוּ אֶת-בִּגְדֵי אַהֲרֹן לְקַדְּשׁוֹ--לְכַהֲנוֹ-לִי

. . .

And you — speak to every wise of heart in whom I have perfected the knowledge of the spirit of wisdom, that they make the garments of Aaron, to consecrate him, that he may lead worship for Me.

Shemot 28:4

וְאֵלֶּה הַבְּגָדִים אֲשֶׁר יַעֲשׂוּ חֹשֶׁן וְאֵפוֹד וּמְעִיל וּכְתֹנֶת תַּשְׁבֵּץ מִצְנֶפֶת וְאַבְנֵט וְעָשׂוּ בִגְדֵי-קֹדֶשׁ לְאַהֲרֹן אָחִיךָ וּלְבָנָיו--לְכַהֲנוֹ-לִי

. . . . .

And these are the garments which they shall make: a breastpiece and an ephod and a robe, and an embroidered tunic and a turban and a sash. And they shall make garments of holiness for Aaron your brother and for his sons, that they may lead worship for Me.

Shemot 28:5

וְהֵם יִקְחוּ אֶת-הַזָּהָב וְאֶת-הַתְּכֵלֶת וְאֶת-הָאַרְגָּמָן וְאֶת-תּוֹלַעַת הַשָּׁנִי וְאֶת-הַשֵּׁשׁ

. .

And they shall take the gold, and the blue, and the purple, and the scarlet dye, and the fine linen.

Shemot 28:6

וְעָשׂוּ אֶת-הָאֵפֹד זָהָב תְּכֵלֶת וְאַרְגָּמָן תּוֹלַעַת שָׁנִי וְשֵׁשׁ מָשְׁזָר--מַעֲשֵׂה חֹשֵׁב

. . .

And they shall make the ephod of gold and blue and purple, and scarlet dye, and twisted fine linen — the work of a skilled craftsman.

Shemot 28:7

שְׁתֵּי כְתֵפֹת חֹבְרֹת יִהְיֶה-לּוֹ אֶל-שְׁנֵי קְצוֹתָיו--וְחֻבָּר

.

And it shall have two sewn pockets, which shall be upon its two edges.

Shemot 28:8

וְחֵשֶׁב אֲפֻדָּתוֹ אֲשֶׁר עָלָיו כְּמַעֲשֵׂהוּ מִמֶּנּוּ יִהְיֶה זָהָב תְּכֵלֶת וְאַרְגָּמָן וְתוֹלַעַת שָׁנִי--וְשֵׁשׁ מָשְׁזָר

. . .

And the binding-straps of the ephod which are upon it shall be like its workmanship — of the same make as it — of gold and blue and purple, and scarlet dye and twisted fine linen.

Shemot 28:9

וְלָקַחְתָּ אֶת-שְׁתֵּי אַבְנֵי-שֹׁהַם וּפִתַּחְתָּ עֲלֵיהֶם שְׁמוֹת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל

.

And take two crystal stones, and engrave upon them the names of the sons of Israel —

Shemot 28:10

שִׁשָּׁה מִשְּׁמֹתָם עַל הָאֶבֶן הָאֶחָת וְאֶת-שְׁמוֹת הַשִּׁשָּׁה הַנּוֹתָרִים עַל-הָאֶבֶן הַשֵּׁנִית--כְּתוֹלְדֹתָם

. . .

six of them upon one stone, and the six remaining names upon the second stone, according to their order of birth.

Shemot 28:11

מַעֲשֵׂה חָרַשׁ אֶבֶן--פִּתּוּחֵי חֹתָם תְּפַתַּח אֶת-שְׁתֵּי הָאֲבָנִים עַל-שְׁמֹת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מֻסַבֹּת מִשְׁבְּצוֹת זָהָב תַּעֲשֶׂה אֹתָם

. . . . .

In the craft of gem-cutting, like the engraving of a signet-ring, you shall engrave upon the two stones the names of the sons of Israel; and make them surrounded by settings of gold.

Shemot 28:12

וְשַׂמְתָּ אֶת-שְׁתֵּי הָאֲבָנִים עַל כִּתְפֹת הָאֵפֹד אַבְנֵי זִכָּרֹן לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְנָשָׂא אַהֲרֹן אֶת-שְׁמוֹתָם לִפְנֵי יְהוָה עַל-שְׁתֵּי כְתֵפָיו--לְזִכָּרֹן

. . . .

And place the two stones in the pockets of the ephod — stones of remembrance for the sons of Israel — and Aaron shall bear their names before God, upon his two shoulders, as a remembrance.

Shemot 28:13

וְעָשִׂיתָ מִשְׁבְּצֹת זָהָב

And make settings of gold.

Shemot 28:14

וּשְׁתֵּי שַׁרְשְׁרֹת זָהָב טָהוֹר מִגְבָּלֹת תַּעֲשֶׂה אֹתָם מַעֲשֵׂה עֲבֹת וְנָתַתָּה אֶת-שַׁרְשְׁרֹת הָעֲבֹתֹת עַל-הַמִּשְׁבְּצֹת

. .

And two chains of pure gold, made even, you shall make them in the work of braiding; and hang the two braided chains upon the settings.

Shemot 28:15

וְעָשִׂיתָ חֹשֶׁן מִשְׁפָּט מַעֲשֵׂה חֹשֵׁב--כְּמַעֲשֵׂה אֵפֹד תַּעֲשֶׂנּוּ זָהָב תְּכֵלֶת וְאַרְגָּמָן וְתוֹלַעַת שָׁנִי וְשֵׁשׁ מָשְׁזָר--תַּעֲשֶׂה אֹתוֹ

. . .

And make a prepared breastpiece, the work of a skilled craftsman, like the workmanship of the ephod — of gold and blue and purple, and scarlet dye and twisted fine linen you shall make it.

Shemot 28:16

רָבוּעַ יִהְיֶה כָּפוּל זֶרֶת אָרְכּוֹ וְזֶרֶת רָחְבּוֹ

.

And it shall be square, doubled — its length a span and its width a span.

Shemot 28:17

וּמִלֵּאתָ בוֹ מִלֻּאַת אֶבֶן אַרְבָּעָה טוּרִים אָבֶן טוּר אֹדֶם פִּטְדָה וּבָרֶקֶת--הַטּוּר הָאֶחָד

. . .

And set in it four rows of gemstones in arrangement. The first row: a red ruby, and an emerald, and a yellow stone.

Shemot 28:18

וְהַטּוּר הַשֵּׁנִי--נֹפֶךְ סַפִּיר וְיָהֲלֹם

.

And the second row: a dark blue stone, and a white gleaming stone, and a bahraman stone.

Shemot 28:19

וְהַטּוּר הַשְּׁלִישִׁי--לֶשֶׁם שְׁבוֹ וְאַחְלָמָה

.

And the third row: an agate, and a jet stone, and a turquoise.

Shemot 28:20

וְהַטּוּר הָרְבִיעִי--תַּרְשִׁישׁ וְשֹׁהַם וְיָשְׁפֵה מְשֻׁבָּצִים זָהָב יִהְיוּ בְּמִלּוּאֹתָם

. .

And the fourth row: a blue stone, and crystal, and jasper. And they shall be aided by gold in their arrangement.

Shemot 28:21

וְהָאֲבָנִים תִּהְיֶיןָ עַל-שְׁמֹת בְּנֵי-יִשְׂרָאֵל שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה--עַל-שְׁמֹתָם פִּתּוּחֵי חוֹתָם אִישׁ עַל-שְׁמוֹ תִּהְיֶיןָ לִשְׁנֵי עָשָׂר שָׁבֶט

. . .

And the stones shall be according to the names of the sons of Israel — since they are twelve, corresponding to their names — like the engraving of a signet-ring, the name of each one upon its stone; they shall be for the twelve tribes.

Shemot 28:22

וְעָשִׂיתָ עַל-הַחֹשֶׁן שַׁרְשֹׁת גַּבְלֻת מַעֲשֵׂה עֲבֹת זָהָב טָהוֹר

. .

And make for the breastpiece even chains, the work of braiding, of pure gold.

Shemot 28:23

וְעָשִׂיתָ עַל-הַחֹשֶׁן שְׁתֵּי טַבְּעוֹת זָהָב וְנָתַתָּ אֶת-שְׁתֵּי הַטַּבָּעוֹת עַל-שְׁנֵי קְצוֹת הַחֹשֶׁן

.

And make for it two rings of gold, and set them at its two edges.

Shemot 28:24

וְנָתַתָּה אֶת-שְׁתֵּי עֲבֹתֹת הַזָּהָב עַל-שְׁתֵּי הַטַּבָּעֹת--אֶל-קְצוֹת הַחֹשֶׁן

[" .

And hang the two golden braids upon the two rings which are at the two edges of the breastpiece.

Shemot 28:25

וְאֵת שְׁתֵּי קְצוֹת שְׁתֵּי הָעֲבֹתֹת תִּתֵּן עַל-שְׁתֵּי הַמִּשְׁבְּצוֹת וְנָתַתָּה עַל-כִּתְפוֹת הָאֵפֹד אֶל-מוּל פָּנָיו

, . .

And the other two ends of the two braids you shall hang upon the two settings, so that they come to rest upon the two pockets of the ephod, at its front.

Shemot 28:26

וְעָשִׂיתָ שְׁתֵּי טַבְּעוֹת זָהָב וְשַׂמְתָּ אֹתָם עַל-שְׁנֵי קְצוֹת הַחֹשֶׁן--עַל-שְׂפָתוֹ אֲשֶׁר אֶל-עֵבֶר הָאֵפֹד בָּיְתָה

. .

And make also two rings of gold, and set them at the two edges of the breastpiece, upon its border which is on the side of the ephod, from within.

Shemot 28:27

וְעָשִׂיתָ שְׁתֵּי טַבְּעוֹת זָהָב וְנָתַתָּה אֹתָם עַל-שְׁתֵּי כִתְפוֹת הָאֵפוֹד מִלְּמַטָּה מִמּוּל פָּנָיו לְעֻמַּת מַחְבַּרְתּוֹ--מִמַּעַל לְחֵשֶׁב הָאֵפוֹד

. . . .

And make also two rings of gold, and set them opposite the two pockets of the ephod, from below, on the side facing its front, opposite the place of its joining, above its binding-straps.

Shemot 28:28

וְיִרְכְּסוּ אֶת-הַחֹשֶׁן מִטַּבְּעֹתָו אֶל-טַבְּעֹת הָאֵפוֹד בִּפְתִיל תְּכֵלֶת לִהְיוֹת עַל-חֵשֶׁב הָאֵפוֹד וְלֹא-יִזַּח הַחֹשֶׁן מֵעַל הָאֵפוֹד

. . .

And they shall fasten it — from its rings to the rings of the breastpiece — with a cord of blue, so that it shall rest above its binding-straps, and not come loose from it.

Shemot 28:29

וְנָשָׂא אַהֲרֹן אֶת-שְׁמוֹת בְּנֵי-יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּחֹשֶׁן הַמִּשְׁפָּט עַל-לִבּוֹ--בְּבֹאוֹ אֶל-הַקֹּדֶשׁ לְזִכָּרֹן לִפְנֵי-יְהוָה תָּמִיד

. .

And Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the prepared breastpiece upon his chest, when he enters the sanctuary, as a remembrance before God — always.

Shemot 28:30

וְנָתַתָּ אֶל-חֹשֶׁן הַמִּשְׁפָּט אֶת-הָאוּרִים וְאֶת-הַתֻּמִּים וְהָיוּ עַל-לֵב אַהֲרֹן בְּבֹאוֹ לִפְנֵי יְהוָה וְנָשָׂא אַהֲרֹן אֶת-מִשְׁפַּט בְּנֵי-יִשְׂרָאֵל עַל-לִבּוֹ לִפְנֵי יְהוָה--תָּמִיד

. . . . .

And place in the prepared breastpiece the Lights and the Truths; and they shall be upon Aaron's chest when he enters before God; and Aaron shall bear the ordinance of the sons of Israel upon his heart before God — always.

Shemot 28:31

וְעָשִׂיתָ אֶת-מְעִיל הָאֵפוֹד כְּלִיל תְּכֵלֶת

.

And make the robe of the ephod, the work of a weaver — the whole of it of blue.

Shemot 28:32

וְהָיָה פִי-רֹאשׁוֹ בְּתוֹכוֹ שָׂפָה יִהְיֶה לְפִיו סָבִיב מַעֲשֵׂה אֹרֵג כְּפִי תַחְרָא יִהְיֶה-לּוֹ--לֹא יִקָּרֵעַ

. . .

And its opening, which is at its top, shall be in its center; and a border shall surround it all around — the work of a weaver — like the opening of a coat of mail it shall be for it, so that it shall not tear.

Shemot 28:33

וְעָשִׂיתָ עַל-שׁוּלָיו רִמֹּנֵי תְּכֵלֶת וְאַרְגָּמָן וְתוֹלַעַת שָׁנִי--עַל-שׁוּלָיו סָבִיב וּפַעֲמֹנֵי זָהָב בְּתוֹכָם סָבִיב

. . . .

And make upon its hem pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet dye, upon its hem all around; and bells of gold between them all around.

Shemot 28:34

פַּעֲמֹן זָהָב וְרִמּוֹן פַּעֲמֹן זָהָב וְרִמּוֹן עַל-שׁוּלֵי הַמְּעִיל סָבִיב

. .

A bell of gold and a pomegranate, a bell of gold and a pomegranate — upon the hem of the robe all around.

Shemot 28:35

וְהָיָה עַל-אַהֲרֹן לְשָׁרֵת וְנִשְׁמַע קוֹלוֹ בְּבֹאוֹ אֶל-הַקֹּדֶשׁ לִפְנֵי יְהוָה וּבְצֵאתוֹ--וְלֹא יָמוּת

. . . .

And it shall be upon Aaron when he serves, and its sound shall be heard when he enters the sanctuary before God, and when he goes out — and he shall not perish.

Shemot 28:36

וְעָשִׂיתָ צִּיץ זָהָב טָהוֹר וּפִתַּחְתָּ עָלָיו פִּתּוּחֵי חֹתָם קֹדֶשׁ לַיהוָה

. .

And make a diadem of pure gold, and engrave upon it like the engraving of a signet-ring: Holy to God.

Shemot 28:37

וְשַׂמְתָּ אֹתוֹ עַל-פְּתִיל תְּכֵלֶת וְהָיָה עַל-הַמִּצְנָפֶת אֶל-מוּל פְּנֵי-הַמִּצְנֶפֶת יִהְיֶה

.

And fasten it with a cord of blue, and it shall be below the turban, at its front.

Shemot 28:38

וְהָיָה עַל-מֵצַח אַהֲרֹן וְנָשָׂא אַהֲרֹן אֶת-עֲו‍ֹן הַקֳּדָשִׁים אֲשֶׁר יַקְדִּישׁוּ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לְכָל-מַתְּנֹת קָדְשֵׁיהֶם וְהָיָה עַל-מִצְחוֹ תָּמִיד לְרָצוֹן לָהֶם לִפְנֵי יְהוָה

. . . . .

And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead when he seeks forgiveness for the sins of the holy things which the sons of Israel consecrate — for all their gifts and their holy offerings — and it shall be upon his forehead always, that they may find favor before God.

Shemot 28:39

וְשִׁבַּצְתָּ הַכְּתֹנֶת שֵׁשׁ וְעָשִׂיתָ מִצְנֶפֶת שֵׁשׁ וְאַבְנֵט תַּעֲשֶׂה מַעֲשֵׂה רֹקֵם

. .

And embroider the tunic of fine linen; and make the turban of fine linen; and the sash you shall make in the work of an embroiderer.

Shemot 28:40

וְלִבְנֵי אַהֲרֹן תַּעֲשֶׂה כֻתֳּנֹת וְעָשִׂיתָ לָהֶם אַבְנֵטִים וּמִגְבָּעוֹת תַּעֲשֶׂה לָהֶם לְכָבוֹד וּלְתִפְאָרֶת

. . .

And for the sons of Aaron you shall make tunics; and make for them sashes; and caps you shall make for them — for honor and glory.

Shemot 28:41

וְהִלְבַּשְׁתָּ אֹתָם אֶת-אַהֲרֹן אָחִיךָ וְאֶת-בָּנָיו אִתּוֹ וּמָשַׁחְתָּ אֹתָם וּמִלֵּאתָ אֶת-יָדָם וְקִדַּשְׁתָּ אֹתָם--וְכִהֲנוּ לִי

. . . .

And clothe them — Aaron your brother and his sons with him — and anoint them, and complete their required investiture, and consecrate them, that they may lead worship for Me.

Shemot 28:42

וַעֲשֵׂה לָהֶם מִכְנְסֵי-בָד לְכַסּוֹת בְּשַׂר עֶרְוָה מִמָּתְנַיִם וְעַד-יְרֵכַיִם יִהְיוּ

. .

And make for them linen trousers, to cover the nakedness of their bodies — from the loins to the knees they shall reach.

Shemot 28:43

וְהָיוּ עַל-אַהֲרֹן וְעַל-בָּנָיו בְּבֹאָם אֶל-אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד אוֹ בְגִשְׁתָּם אֶל-הַמִּזְבֵּחַ לְשָׁרֵת בַּקֹּדֶשׁ וְלֹא-יִשְׂאוּ עָו‍ֹן וָמֵתוּ חֻקַּת עוֹלָם לוֹ וּלְזַרְעוֹ אַחֲרָיו

. . . . .

And they shall be upon Aaron and his sons when they enter the tent of the assembly, and when they draw near to the altar to serve in the sanctuary — lest they bear on account of it a burden and perish. This is an ordinance for all time, for him and for his offspring after him.