Friday 19 June - 4 Tamuz

The Lord said to Moses, Put Aaron's staff back in front of the testimony to keep as a sign to the sons of rebellion, so that it may put an end to their grumblings against me, and so they will not die.

Moses did just as the Lord commanded him.

But Bnei Azrael said to Moses, saying, Look, we will die.

We are all lost.

We are lost.

Anyone approaching the tabernacle of the Lord will die.

Must all of us die? The Lord said to Aaron, You, your sons, and the house of your father with you, will bear the guilt for the sanctuary, and you and your sons will bear the guilt for your priesthood.

Bring with you your brothers, the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, so that they may join you and assist you, both you and your sons with you, before the tent of the testimony.

They are to perform their duties for you and for all matters related to the tent.

They must not approach the implements of the sanctuary or the altar, otherwise both you and they will die.

They are to team with you and attend the tent of meeting for all the service of the tent, but no unauthorized person may intrude upon you.

So you are to attend to the sanctuary and the care of the altar, so no further wrath will fall on Bnei Yisrael.

See, I have personally taken your kinsmen, the Levites, from among Bnei Yisrael as a gift for you and your sons with you, dedicated to the Lord to serve in the work of the tent of meeting.

But you and your sons with you are to maintain your priesthood for everything pertaining to the altar and inside the parochet.

I am giving you the ministry of the priesthood as a gift, anyone unauthorized to approach his will die.

The Lord said to Aaron, See, I have given you charge of all my offerings.

All the sacred things from Benazirah El I have given to you is to decide for you and your son as a permanent share.

You are to have the part of the most holy things that is kept from the fire.

Whether grain, sin or guilt offerings that they bring to me as most holy, they are for you and your sons.

You are to eat it as most holy.

Every male may eat it, it is set apart for you.

This also is yours, the gift of the way of offerings of Bnei Yisrael.

I have given all the way of offerings as a permanent share to you, your sons and your daughters.

Everyone who is clean in your house may eat it.

All the finest olive oil, the finest new wine and grain they gave to the Lord from their firstfruits, I have given them to you.