Parashas Ki Sisa

In this parasha, Hashem says to Moshe: “And you, take for yourself choice spices…” (Shemos 30:23). Why the focus on “for yourself”? Why “You, Moshe — “take for yourself”?

All the ingredients are mixed together with oil, and the mixture is then applied to all the vessels and the Tent of Meeting, and it makes them holy. But how does the oil itself become holy?

The Maharal Tzinz, in his work Malo Ha’Omer, presents a novel explanation: The oil became holy through contact with the holiness of Moshe Rabbeinu. Moshe takes from his own holiness and makes the oil holy. And this is the significance of, “for yourself.”  “Take it for yourself” so that it becomes infused with holiness.

And once the anointing oil becomes holy in itself, it is able to transmit that holiness further.