Shabbos Parashas Tetzaveh - 5776

Shabbos Parashas Tetzaveh - 5776

Rabbi Hal Miller

And you shall make vestments of sanctity for Aharon your brother, for glory and

for splendor. [Shemos 28:2]

It sounds like the Torah is telling us that the clothes make the man. Is our verse

really an advertisement for designer fashions?

Ramban seems to follow that idea when he writes, "That Aharon would be glorious

and resplendent, in glorious and resplendent vestments." Rambam agrees when

he says, "It is a mitzvah for the priestly garments to be beautiful, new, and full length,

like the clothing of prominent men." When two of our most revered commentators say

the same thing, we need to take notice. But is there some other explanation?

Sefer HaChinuch sees it from a slightly different view. He writes that the clothing is a

goal that leads the Kohen to live up his true higher standard, meaning that the Kohen

already is "the man", and the clothing really just reminds him. He writes, "to ensure the

Kohen has a proper state of mind during the service. A man is influenced by his own

deeds. It will arouse him to remember before whom he stands."

There appear to be a number of other options. Malbim, for example, thinks that the

"for glory and for splendor" clause does not refer to the clothing, but, in his words,

"Glory refers to the Kohen's superior spiritual level. Majesty or splendor refers to the

effect the devotions of such a person can achieve." Nachshoni, in the name of

Rabbeinu Bechaye, says "glory and majesty refer not to the clothing but to the

glory of Hashem." Sforno sees the clause as having two meanings, one referring to

the garments, and one in a more general sense when he writes, "To render honor and

glory to G-d through the wearing of such resplendent garments when performing the

Temple service."

The Torah itself gives us another hint on understanding this verse, near the end of

our chapter. In 28:29, it says, "Aharon shall bear the names of the sons of Israel on the

breastplate of judgment on his heart when he enters the Sanctuary, as a constant

remembrance before Hashem." Now we see that not only is the purpose of the clothes

to remind Aharon of something, but even the decorations are meant to remind him.

But remind him of what?

Sforno says, "So that he will pray on their behalf that they would emerge exonerated in

any judicial confrontation."

It would be nice to know that the Kohen Gadol is asking heavenly help for us when we

have to go to court, but we can read more into Sforno's answer. The first part of his

statement, "so that he will pray on their behalf" is the main point here. The fancy clothes

are a reminder to the high priest that he bears a heavy responsibility. He is to pray on

behalf of all the people. Specifically this has to do with the once-a-year entry into the

Holy of Holies, on Yom Kippur, but the reminder serves for all year in all contexts.

Further, when the rest of us see the splendor of the Kohen Gadol, it serves as a reminder

to us that we also must pray.

The Torah is not selling clothes. The Torah is directing us to give proper honor to G-d

and to remember to pray. This isn't limited to clothing, but to anything we see that

reminds us of His Glory and Majesty. I saw "glory and splendor" at the waterfall just

five minutes walk from my house yesterday, when out walking my dog. I had to marvel

and thank G-d for His creation.