Parshas Tetazveh 5765

This week's portion continues the discussion about the Mishkan, the Tabernacle.

The menorah was lit each evening with enough oil to last until morning. The oil had to be so pure that only the first drop that was squeezed from the olive could be used for the menorah. The remaining oil could be used for the meal offerings.

The kohanim, or priests, were commanded to wear special garments while doing their service. The Torah explains that the purpose of these garments was to bring honor and beauty to the service in the Mishkan. (The pants, however, were only for the purpose of modesty.)

Since the kohain represents the nation in their service of G-d, it is important that he looks the part of a respectable person. Although the internal part of our being is most important, it is nonetheless difficult to respect a leader with a sloppy, unkempt appearance.

The Talmud makes a similar comment, that a Torah scholar who is found with a stain on his clothing is guilty of a grave offense. A person that represents Torah carries a great responsibility, and must be careful to leave a favorable impression in the eyes of others.

The Kohain Gadol, the High Priest, had eight vestments made especially for him. These included a pair of linen pants, a linen checkered shirt, a linen turban, and an embroidered sash. Over the shirt, a blue, woolen, sleeveless robe called a Me'il, was worn. On the bottom of the Me'il hung little blue woolen pomegranates and golden bells. The bells would tinkle in order to announce the Kohain Gadol's entrance into the sanctuary. Over the Me'il he wore the Ephod, a kind of apron with shoulder straps. It was woven from five different types of threads. A golden breastplate called the Choshen Mishpat was fastened to the Ephod. Twelve different jewels corresponding to the twelve tribes, were embedded in the Choshen. Each of the stones had the name of one of the tribes engraved on it. The eighth vestment was a golden headplate called a Tzitz. It was worn on the High Priest's forehead.

The regular kohain only wore four vestments when he did the service in the Mishkan; a long shirt, pants, a sash and a hat.

Both the Kohain Gadol and the regular kohain had to wear their respective clothing in order to be able to perform the service. Performing the service in any civilian clothing besides the ones mentioned was considered a serious offense, as it showed disrespect for the position and for G-d.

After the garments are described, the Torah discusses the seven-day inauguration ritual where the kohanim were consecrated. To become the leaders and role models for the Jewish people it was necessary for them to be properly prepared.

"... you should speak to all the wise-hearted people whom I have invested with a spirit of wisdom." (Exod. 28:3)

The commentaries explain the wise-hearted person as one who has a sincere thirst for knowledge. Rav Eizel Charif visited the Volozhiner Yeshiva to find a suitor for his daughter. He wanted to find the top scholar so he posed a difficult question to see who could answer it. The students thought and argued for a whole day, but nobody could figure out the answer. Rav Eizel left dejectedly, alone. As he was getting into his carriage a young man came running over to him.

"Do you have an answer?" the Rav asked.

"No," answered the student, "But you can't leave without sharing the answer with us! How can I sleep with such a question?"

"Ah!" the Rav smiled, "You are the one I want for my daughter. The thirst for Torah is more important than the answer."

Did You Know...

On the anniversary of one's parent's death, the yahrzeit, it is proper to lead the services. This even takes precedence over the mourner. At the very least, kaddish should be recited. It is also customary for the person to be called to the Torah on the Shabbos preceding the yahrzeit, preferably for Maftir.

If the parent passed away during Adar in a leap year when there are two Adars, the yahrzeit is observed in Adar during a regular year, and in the respective Adar in a leap year. If the parent passed away in a regular Adar, in a leap year the yahrzeit should be observed in Adar I, although some observe it in both Adars.