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February 14, 2003/Adar 12 5763, Vol. 55, No. 25
Even our clothing sanctifies the world
Torah study
RABBI SHLOMO RISKIN
Tetzaveh/Exodus 27:20-30:10
The Torah portion of Tetzaveh is dedicated to Aaron and his children, the high priest and the holy temple priesthood - even to the extent of the absence of even a mention of Moses' name. And we are given a precise description of the ritual by which they were consecrated for their divine task.
What is most jarring to the modern ear - and especially to those of us who have become accustomed to the informality of Israeli dress even on the part of the prime minister - is the painstaking description of the unique apparel of the priests, the eight special garments of the high priest and the four special garments of the regular priests.
The Torah itself commands, "make sacral vestments for your brother Aaron, for dignity and adornment." (Exodus 28:2) The Talmud stipulates that only when properly garbed, are the priests endowed with sanctity and permitted to minister in the sanctuary.
Is the Torah then teaching us that "clothes make the man"? What about the internal characteristics of knowledge, virtue and commitment? And what of the fundamental biblical principal that everyone is equal before God, that external differences have little to do with one's true personality?
I believe that upon deeper reflection we will come to understand that the priestly garb is not meant to endow sanctity but rather to inspire sanctity. Moreover, the Torah teaches that every Jew must see himself as a high priest dressed in sacred vestments.
Just as the king of Israel must demonstrate his devotion to God by always having with him a copy of the Torah, (Deuteronomy 17:16-20) so must the high priest wear the tzitz (always) on his forehead, a gold headband on a thread of tchelet (heavenly royal blue) on which was written "holy unto the Lord." (Exodus 28:36-38)
And just as the king of Israel must understand that his rule must be by virtue of the will of the people and for the sake of the people, so does the high priest wear the breast plate of justice over his heart, upon which were embroidered 12 precious stones including the names of the 12 tribes of Israel. "Aaron shall carry the names of the sons of Israel on the breastpiece of decision over his heart, when he enters the sanctuary, for remembrance before the Lord at all times." (Exodus 28:29).
In order to succeed in his daunting task of perfecting the world in the kingship of God, the high priest must learn from his special garb to lead the priests in total devotion to God and nation.
And every Israelite must also see himself as a high priest in function, as a proud representative of a holy nation and kingdom of priests. After all, does not the Israelite dress himself every day in his tefillin, the head tefillin atop his forehead on the place of the high priest's tzitz and the hand tefillin opposite his heart, the place where the breastplate of the high priest expressed the names of the 12 tribes?
In wearing the tefillin, the Jew becomes adorned with the four portions of the Torah - love of God, fealty to commandments, the sanctity of the people of Israel and the sanctity of the land of Israel.
Moreover, the second traditional Jewish garb is the ritual fringes (tzitzit) of the tallit, featuring a thread of t'chelet (heavenly royal blue) that is a salient feature of the high priest's tzitz and is significantly called by the Bible tzitzit.
Every Jew must share in the mission to perfect the world, and must be inspired to do so by wearing the priestly, regal garments that teach commitment to God and nation.
Rabbi Shlomo Riskin is the spiritual leader of Efrat, Israel.
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