Positive Mitzvah 22: Guarding the Sanctuary
Numbers 18:4 "And they shall keep charge of the Tent of Meeting"

The Beit HaMikdash is so holy that the Torah is not content with most sophisticated safety devices. HaShem commanded the Priests and Levites, the servicemen of the Beit HaMikdash to be "human alarm systems."

The priests keep guard inside while the Levites patrol outside. The presence of these guards is also a means of honoring the Beit HaMikdash.

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Negative Mitzvah 67: You shall not neglect to guard the Temple
Numbers 18:5 "And you shall keep the charge of the Sanctuary"

Guards stand outside a palace.

Soldiers patrol our borders.

So, too, the Beit HaMikdash had to be patrolled during the night (See Positive Mitzvah 22).

Beyond the protection this patrol afforded, it served as a sign of respect for the Beit HaMikdash.

This Negative Mitzvah forbids us to neglect the patrols which guard the Beit HaMikdash.

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Positive Mitzvah 35: The Oil of Anointment
Leviticus 21:10 "And he that is High priest among his brothers, upon whose head the anointing oil was poured"

Crowning a king, electing a president and appointing a leader are special occasions.

So, too, the High Priest and Jewish kings are anointed in a unique manner.

Specially prepared oil is used to ordain them, as the chosen, to lead our people in the service of HaShem.

Just as oil rises to the top in a liquid mixture, these leaders are uplifted to high positions as commanded by HaShem.

This Positive Mitzvah requires us to have this oil ready to be used for these purposes.

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Negative Mitzvah 83: It is forbidden to make oil resembling the "Oil of Anointment"
Exodus 30:32 "Neither shall you make any like it, according to its composition

A special oil is used to sanctify the holy vessels and initiate High Priests and Kings to their appointed positions. (See Positive Mitzvah 35)

This Negative Mitzvah cautions us not to make a mixture similar to this oil.

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Negative Mitzvah 84: It is forbidden to anoint anyone with the "Oil of Anointment" except for High Priests and Kings
Exodus 30:32 "Upon the flesh of man it shall not be poured"

The anointing oil is used in the ceremony for appointing the "High Priest" and King in their positions. We are forbidden to anoint anyone else with this special oil.

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Return is the ultimate act of self expression. Nobody returns because he is commanded to do so. The ability to return comes from you alone. And this is the evidence that you were never truly torn away: The outer garments of the soul may have been severed, but the core remained at every moment in intimate union with its Source. And from there came the message to return.

From: Bringing Heaven Down to Earth by Tzvi Freeman - tzvif@aol.com