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Parshat Tetzaveh

03/08/2017 03:23:06 PM

Mar8

In the third aliyah of Parshat Tetzaveh, we learn about the clothing of the Kohen Gadol. In Masechet Zevachim 88b, Chazal famously ask למה נסמכה פרשת קרבנות לפרשת בגדי כהונה, “Why is the section on the sacrifices juxtaposed to the section on the priestly garments?” They answer, לומר לך מה קרבנות מכפרין אף בגדי כהונה מכפרין, “In order to teach you that just as the sacrifices atone, so too the priestly garments atone”. There is a detail in the description of the Kohen Gadol’s robe that underscores this answer. When instructing us about the collar of the robe, the Torah tells us, והיה פי ראשו בתוכו, “Its opening at the top shall be turned inward” (Shemot 28:32). This physical image represents the process of atonement: when we do teshuvah, we open ourselves up to God by turning inward. Atonement requires that we look within ourselves and recognize the things we have done wrong and the ways in which we can draw closer to God. Just as this turning inward strengthens the collar, our spiritual turning inward strengthens our character and our relationship with God. Today, check in with what you ‘wear’ (physically/spiritually/emotionally) on the outside and how it correlates with your inward state. How can that which is outside atone for that which is inside?

-- Rabbanit Alissa

 

One of the most striking elements of the garb of the Kohel Gadol is the tzitz, the pure gold showplate. This showplate would rest on the forehead, extending from ear to ear, fastened with a chord of blue wool. But what makes this piece so striking is the words engraved upon it: קדש ליקוק, “Holy to the Lord” (Shemot 28:36). Chazal explain that the tzitz would appease God when a mistake was made in the sacrifices, namely when an olah, a completely burnt offering that was supposed to be tahor was offered in a state of tumah, impurity. This is a powerful message for us to ponder: through the words “Holy to the Lord”, something that was physically unacceptable and unusable became not only kosher, but fully accepted in holy service. We all make mistakes-- we are all flawed. But even in God’s holy home that included the strictest rules to maintain kedusha, He made it possible for our mistakes, and even our impurities, to become holy. The key to elevating the impure is that we put in our best efforts towards being holy to Hashem. So when we strive to do a mitzvah but fail to do it as well as we would have liked or when we are disappointed with ourselves for not being perfect when faced with pressure or temptation, we must remember that God was willing to accept us in our imperfection. May we model that same acceptance and patience with ourselves and others as we hold קדש ליקוק, “Holy to the Lord” at the forefront of our minds.

-- Rabbanit Alissa

Fri, March 29 2024 19 Adar II 5784