Do not reproduce the incense formula

The Literal Commandment

The incense which you shall make, you shall not make in the same proportions for yourselves; it shall be holy to you for the LORD. (Exodus 30:37)

 

This negative commandment provides a prohibition against making incense in the proportions given in Exodus 30:34-35.

 

Messiah Says

Messiah implicitly affirmed this commandment when He spoke about the Law:

"Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-19)

 

Pictures of Messiah

Incense is given in Scripture as a picture of the prayers of believers (Revelation 5:8). When we pray to G-d in Messiah's name He intercedes on our behalf:

Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. (Romans 8:33-34)

 

The Holy Spirit also intercedes

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27)

 

How Messiah Fulfilled

Messiah fulfills this commandment by not reproducing the incense formula. If He were to have violated this commandment then He would have been breaking the Law and sinning. Since He did not sin (Hebrews 4:15) we know that He did not break this commandment in any way.

 

Traditional Observance

Traditional observance of this negative commandment is performed by not making incense in the same proportions as G-d commanded.

 

Other Notes

This negative commandment can be observed by everyone today by abstaining from making incense in the proportions that G-d has commanded in Exodus 30:34-35

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Commandment Details

  • Mishneh Torah # 310
  • Mishneh Torah Book # 8
  • Mishneh Torah Book Service
  • Mishneh Torah Category 40- The Vessels of the Temple and Those Who Serve in It
  • Reference Exodus 30:37
  • Scripture Book Exodus
  • Chapter 30
  • Verse 37
  • English The incense which you shall make, you shall not make in the same proportions for yourselves; it shall be holy to you for the LORD.
  • Hebrew לז וְהַקְּטֹרֶת, אֲשֶׁר תַּעֲשֶׂה--בְּמַתְכֻּנְתָּהּ, לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ לָכֶם; קֹדֶשׁ תִּהְיֶה לְךָ, לַיהוָה.
  • Greek 37 θυμίαμα κατὰ τὴν σύνθεσιν ταύτην οὐ ποιήσετε ὑμῖν αὐτοῖς· ἁγίασμα ἔσται ὑμῖν κυρίῳ·
  • Parashah 21- Ki Tisa
  • Positive/Negative Negative
  • Sefer Hachinuch # 110
  • Sef. Hach. Command The prohibition against making incense according to the Torah's formula
  • Category Temple and Sacred Objects
  • We can fulfill today Yes

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