Exodus · Weekly Torah portion
Parashat Tetzavehתְּצַוֶּה
Torah reading
Exodus 27:20-30:10
Haftarah
Ezekiel 43:10-27
What happens in Tetzaveh
The only parsha since his birth without Moses's name focuses instead on Aaron and the priesthood: the ner tamid, the lamp kept perpetually burning, and the priestly garments — the breastplate with twelve stones for the twelve tribes worn over the heart, the robe hemmed with golden bells and pomegranates, the headplate reading 'Holy to God.' The parsha details the seven-day ceremony ordaining Aaron and his sons to serve.
Big themes
- Serving something larger
- Symbols that carry meaning
- Keeping the light on
If this is your bar or bat mitzvah portion
The High Priest carried all twelve tribes over his heart — leadership means carrying your whole community, not just the people like you. And the eternal light from Tetzaveh still burns in every synagogue; the student on the bimah stands in a very long relay.
Learning to chant Tetzaveh?
Ready 13 builds a verse-by-verse practice plan for this exact portion — chanted reference audio, karaoke highlighting, trope games, and a countdown that keeps the big day on track.
Start Free Trial