The Autistic Parashah | Tetzaveh
by Matthew Lawrence
In this week’s Torah portion, Parashat Tetzaveh, we delve into the intricacies of the priestly garments and the meticulous rituals that define the sacred service in the Tabernacle and the Temple. For me as an autistic human, this parashah serves as metaphor for the autistic experience, particularly highlighting the importance of structure, routine, and detailed focus in creating a sense of connection and understanding.
For many autistic humans, the world becomes more navigable and comprehensible through the establishment of routines. Because we experience the world more intensely, having routines and a monotropic grasp on the world helps us regulate and ultimately, connect to the world. When we are well regulated we can connect to ourselves, to others, and to the Divine.
This mirrors the detailed instructions given for the creation of priestly garments, where every thread and color serves a purpose, every ritual act is imbued with intention. These garments are not merely clothing but symbols of a deeper readiness to engage with the Divine, to step into a role that bridges the earthly and the holy.
In a similar vein, the routines and specific interests that autistic humans often develop can be seen as their unique 'garments'—tools and symbols that prepare us and enable us to engage more fully with the world around us. These personal rituals and focuses, much like the priestly vestments, confer a sense of dignity, identity, and purpose, highlighting the unique contributions that we autistic humans bring to the communal, physical, and spiritual tables.
Furthermore, the necessity of these priestly garments for approaching the Divine parallels how autistic people often rely on our routines and interests to interact with a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming and chaotic to us. Just as the priests could not serve without their specific attire, autistic humans may find it challenging to relate and connect without the comfort and structure provided by their routines.
In exploring Parashat Tetzaveh, we are reminded of the beauty and value found in diversity, in the myriad ways individuals prepare themselves to face the divine and the everyday. It teaches us to honor and embrace the unique 'garments' each person wears, recognizing that within these individualized approaches lies the strength and fabric of our collective human experience.
Matthew is an autistic advocate, educator, coach, guide, and mentor based in Paris who is on a lifelong journey to champion the rights and empowerment of autistic people via a uniquely Jewish lens.
Navigating the world as a disabled AuDHD (Autism-ADHD) person, he learned to appreciate his authentic self amidst societal pressures to conform both within and outside of the Jewish community. Matthew’s education in both academia and the yeshiva world enriched his love for Judaism, while his experiences living, learning, and teaching in diverse communities across the globe, both Jewish and non-Jewish, have enriched his spiritual connection and understanding of both Yiddishkeit and the greater world.
Crucially, Matthew's life's work centers on autism rights, disability rights, and the Neurodiversity movement, and he actively volunteers in these areas in addition to his professional work in and out of the Jewish community. As an experienced educator, life coach, mentor, and guide, he empowers autistic individuals with vitality, resilience, and the tools to navigate the challenges of Autistic Burnout.
With a spiritual dimension drawn from the rich traditions of Judaism and deep respect for other spiritual paths, Matthew integrates these facets into his coaching style. His work with the greater disability community and worldview is heavily influenced and inspired by the Jewish tradition, and in particular by the Kotzker Rebbe, Simcha Bunim of Peshischa, Abraham Joshua Herschel and Reb Zalman. He envisions a world where autistic people not only survive, but flourish, and works daily to achieve it.
Matthew proudly serves as both a member and organizer within self-advocacy organizations, specifically CLE Autistes and the Jewish Autism Network. Within the Jewish Autism Network, he takes on the role of host and moderator of a free discussion and support group, offering autistic individuals in the Jewish community a safe and supportive space to grow and connect.
You can read more about Matthew and his work at theautisticcoach.com or follow him on Twitter, Bluesky, Mastodon, Facebook, or Instagram.