Teachings of Moses and Aaron

Right there, in front of everyone, Aaron and his sons were chosen, set apart for the holy task of serving as priests. Immediately following this ceremony, Aaron and his sons went into a kind of retreat. For a whole week, they stayed at the entrance of the Tabernacle.

What was happening during this week? Well, it was basically priestly training, a crash course in serving God. Moses, acting as the instructor, showed Aaron and his sons precisely how to perform the different priestly duties within the sanctuary. He demonstrated the process of preparing the burnt offering and the sin offering, walking them step-by-step through the intricate rituals.

But why a sin offering right at the start? Here’s where it gets interesting. Moses worried. He feared that among the gifts used to build the sanctuary, there might have been something tainted, something gained dishonestly. And remember, God, as we’re told again and again, loves justice and hates ill-gotten gains, even if they’re presented as offerings.

So, Moses, through this hattat (sin offering), sought forgiveness for any possible wrong that might have unknowingly crept into the construction of the sanctuary. It was a preemptive act of purification, a way to ensure that everything was right before God.

Now, here's a fascinating detail: During this week of training, the sanctuary was only used temporarily. Each morning and evening, Moses would set it up, only to fold it away again. It wasn't until this week had fully passed, until this intensive training period was complete, that the sanctuary was finally committed to its permanent use.

Only after that week was done would the sanctuary remain standing. From then on, it would only be packed up when the Israelites moved from one encampment to another. This wasn't just about building a structure; it was about preparing hearts, ensuring purity, and establishing a connection with the divine that was free from any hint of wrongdoing. It emphasizes the importance of not just what we offer, but how we obtain it. And doesn't that resonate even today?