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 Torah Thoughts
This
week we read the Torah portion, Tetzaveh (Exodus 27:20-30:10) It
contains 101 verses and 7 commandments- 4 positive (“do”) and 3 negative (“do
not”) mitzvot.
Our portion is part of
a series which deals with the construction of the Tabernacle and the garments
to be worn by the High Priest (Kohen Gadol) during the service.
The focus of this week's portion is the garments of the Kohen. Many students
of the Torah may be bewildered by the detail in which the clothing is
described and the requirements and specifications which follow. Judaism is
a religion which teaches us not to be fooled by externals; not to focus
overly on physical, material objects. Yet this week's Torah portion would put
(lehavdil- not to make a real comparison) a fashion magazine to shame!
What is the meaning of all these details regarding clothing?
We must understand the role of the High Priest in order to understand the
role of his clothing. He is the 'ambassador' of the Jewish People before G-d.
As such, he must respect the dignity of the One before whom he stands. He is
also seen by the Jewish People as being G-d's "representative" to
them. His presence must thus evoke a sense of G-d's splendor in order to
inspire the people. The Torah thus states (Exodus 28:2) "You shall make
garments for Aaron your brother FOR GLORY and FOR SPLENDOR."
Another aspect of the clothing requirement is for the Kohen himself to
constantly be made aware that he is standing before G-d. The Sefer HaChinuch,
a medieval exposition of the Mitzvot, explains that there is a recurring
theme in many of the commandments. We are often commanded to do certain
physical acts in order to internalize the messages of the Torah. As a human
being, the Kohen Gadol is not always focused on the sanctity of his mission.
The pomp and ceremony of the service serve to remind him of where he is and
why he is there.
Often, all of us need external reminders of who we are and what our
mission is. The Torah (Exodus 19:6) tells us that the entire Jewish People is
in G-d's view, "A kingdom of priests (Kohanim) and a holy nation".
Vis-à-vis the rest of the world, every Jew has the sanctity and responsibility
to inspire, in the same way as our kohanim.
We therefore are required to dress somewhat differently from our non-Jewish
neighbors. As G-d's representatives we are to be dressed modestly and in a
dignified manner. Maimonides codifies in his magnum opus, the Mishneh Torah
(Hilchot Dayot 5:9) that a student of the Torah must wear dignified, but not
extravagant clothing. There should not be any stains or crusting on one's
clothing.
Our clothing also serves to protect us not only from the elements, but from a
spiritually harmful environment too. One who is dressed in a modest way, and
in a way which identifies him as a Jew, will be more careful about going to
places which are inappropriate for G-d's Holy People.
In sum, we learn that all of our physical accoutrements, which at first
blush are incongruous with spirituality, can help in our quest to achieve
closeness with G-d.
Haftara
The following is the excerpt of the prophets that is
usually read with the Torah portion Tetzaveh.
Ezekiel 43:10-27. The prophet Ezekiel had the
unfortunate mission of trying to warn a wayward Israel
that it’s backsliding would result in destruction and exile by the
contemporaneous superpower, Babylonia.
Nevertheless, combined with this message is the prophecy of return and comfort.
Ezekiel describes the dimensions of the Third Temple
to be built in the future. The prophet describes the future altar and its
consecration by the Kohanim, which parallels our Torah portion.
The message is that G-d is a loving parent Who, even
when the child needs to be disciplined, never abandons it and ensures
ultimate reconciliation.
(This year, Purim begins on the night of March 13.)
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Baruch Price
Technical
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