Tetzaveh- Priestly Attire and Ours
Have you ever been in a marching band? Played on a sports team? Served in the Army? Very different activities, yet they have one thing in common. Each one mandates a specific uniform. And if you’ve ever dressed in a uniform, perhaps you’ve felt, as I certainly have, that wearing that unique attire instantly impacts your attitude and focus. It transforms us without any words or actions. The minute you put on the clothing, you feel different.
On Monday night we will read the Book of Esther. You will recall that moment when King Achashverosh asks Haman, “What should be done for the man who the king delights to honor?” What is his reply? Dress him in the king’s robes. Those robes symbolize royalty and command immediate respect.
We convey respect by how we dress. On Sunday, I will celebrate my birthday with a high tea with friends and family. My granddaughter Helena asked if she has to dress up for the occasion. And I told her yes- it is a fancy place and she needs to dress accordingly. And I always try to dress my best for Shabbat, both to honor Shabbat and to honor our community.
I remember one time when one of our cantors commented on what I wore to work in the office one day. She said, “You look like you are going someplace very special.” To which I replied, “Yes, I’m going to Temple Chai!”
We may wish that we didn’t judge a book by its cover, yet, it is undeniably human nature to judge others by their clothing. It is wise to not come to a conclusion about someone based on their attire, but it behooves us to be aware that people will inevitably at least have a first reaction based on how we present ourselves. Then we can make an informed decision about what to wear.
In parshat Tetzaveh, the Israelite’s journey through the wilderness continues. Having built the mishkan, the portable sanctuary, the Torah turns to establishing the clothing to be worn by the priests. Holy garments. Beautiful garments. Once again, Moses looks for folks with the right motivation to craft these very special garments- those with wisdom of heart and spirit.
The very first item mentioned is the breastplate- choshen mishpat. It is to be set with 4 rows of precious stones, 12 in total, each one engraved with the name of one of the tribes of Israel. There are endless interpretations of why a particular color is associated with a particular tribe.
You can see an image of the complete outfit on the front of your Shabbat bulletin. The breastplate is worn right over the heart, an unmistakable reminder of the priest’s task to hold the people close, and with love. When we say that responsibility weighs heavily on the heart, in this case we can understand that literally!
Traditional commentators see the breastplate as a powerful symbol of unity. Rashi notes that the High Priest carries the names of all twelve tribes together, suggesting that no individual or group stands alone before God. The breastplate represents the people of Israel. ALL the people of Israel. Even though we can be sure that, as brothers, they had plenty of arguments, when the High Priest represents the whole community in the presence of God, they come together as one.
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks wrote that true leadership means “bearing the burden of the people.” The High Priest does not carry only those he agrees with or those who are easy to love; every tribe is present, permanently engraved on the breastplate. In a world where civil discourse is so challenged, it is a radical thought that the people would see all of the tribes aligned as one when they saw the Kohen Gadol officiating at his duties. And it is a constant reminder to the priest to keep every one of them close to his heart.
The breastplate’s gemstones were different in color and character, yet together formed a unified whole. Our community is the same- composed of unique individuals with differing perspectives, and varying gifts. Yet, here we are, unified in our diversity. As a congregation, it is vital that every person knows that they are a critical part of our community. This was the dream of the founding fathers of our country when they established “E Pluribus Unum” as the first motto of the United States. Out of many, one.
The book of Exodus (19:6) describes the people of Israel as “a realm of priests and a holy nation.” Let’s imagine each of us as a priest, each of us carrying every member of the community close to our hearts, united as one. May we be inspired by this vision to treat each other with kindness, to see each other as images of God, to temper our rush to judge and open our hearts to compassion. True holiness lies not only in sacred spaces but in the sacred responsibility of carrying one another—close to our hearts.