By: Daphna Strelitz
Foundation Manager
In Parshat Tetzaveh, something unusual happens: Moses’ name does not appear, not even once.
From the time he is born until the end of the Torah, this is the only parsha where he is absent by name. And yet his leadership is present throughout. He instructs, he guides, he sets things in motion. The focus, however, is not on him. It is on what must be built to endure.
The Israelites are asked to bring pure olive oil to kindle the ner tamid, the eternal light, to burn throughout the generations. Not just for that moment in the wilderness. Not just for those standing there. For what comes next.
The Torah then turns to the detailed garments of the priests and the process of consecrating Aaron and his sons. At first glance, these chapters can feel technical or even repetitive. But beneath the surface is a deeper message. Holiness does not sustain itself. It requires preparation. It requires structure. It requires shared responsibility.
The ner tamid does not remain lit on inspiration alone. It needs oil that someone has thoughtfully prepared and brought forward. The priesthood does not continue because of one extraordinary leader. It continues because a framework is established and passed on.
Tetzaveh is less about a dramatic revelation and more about continuity.
Perhaps that is why Moses’ name is missing. Enduring leadership is not about appearing in every chapter. It is about ensuring that the light continues long after you step back.
In my work, I often have conversations about legacy. People think about the causes and communities that have shaped their lives and ask how those values can continue. At its heart, that question is not only financial. It is spiritual. It is about continuity. It is about bringing oil for a light that will shine beyond our own time.
Jewish tradition has always held this balance. We respond to urgent needs in front of us, and we also build for the future. We strengthen institutions, invest in community, and create structures that will carry our values forward. Not because it is flashy, but because it matters.
Each of us can ask: What light do I want to help keep burning?
The Mishkan, the sacred space the Israelites carried with them in the wilderness, was portable, but the vision behind it was lasting. It was built with future generations in mind. Those who brought the oil and crafted the garments were shaping something they might not fully see unfold.
As we reflect on Tetzaveh, we are reminded that sustaining Jewish life, here in Colorado and beyond, depends on more than a single moment. It depends on collective commitment, thoughtful planning, and the quiet work of building something that will outlive us.
May we continue to bring the oil that keeps our communal light shining, today and for generations to come. Shabbat Shalom.
Please email Daphhna Strelitz at dstrelitz@jewishcolorado.org with questions or comments.