Welcome to another short, practical Lelamed Weekly Dvar. Please forward
this forward...
Parshat Tetzaveh describes the clothes that the Kohen would wear while
performing the service. Moshe was instructed to make the garments for
“honor and glory” (28:2). The very next Passuk (verse) says that the
wise-hearted people should make the garments to “sanctify him” so that the
Kohen can serve G-d (28:3). What is the actual purpose of the priestly
clothing? Is it for honor, glory, or sanctification? Additionally, how
would honor, an internal characteristic, be associated with glory, an
external characteristic?
Rabbi Eliyahu Safran explains that the Kohen’s clothes themselves were
modest and simple, while the Kohen provided the honor by behaving modestly
and appropriately. A Kohen acting modestly helps associate all Kohanim with
appropriate and modest behavior, thus glorifying the role and sanctifying
G-d’s name in the process.
We all have a responsibility to act honorably, which will lead to
celebrating G-d’s greatness, which will lead to greater sanctity,
spirituality, and purpose. When our actions are honorable, it reflects well
on ourselves, our family, our community, and G-d.
Quotation of the week:
"The purpose of life is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate,
to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." -
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Welcome to another short, practical Lelamed Weekly Dvar. Please forward
this forward...
_______________________________________________
Parshat Tetzaveh describes the clothes that the Kohen would wear while
performing the service. Moshe was instructed to make the garments for
“honor and glory” (28:2). The very next Passuk (verse) says that the
wise-hearted people should make the garments to “sanctify him” so that the
Kohen can serve G-d (28:3). What is the actual purpose of the priestly
clothing? Is it for honor, glory, or sanctification? Additionally, how
would honor, an internal characteristic, be associated with glory, an
external characteristic?
Rabbi Eliyahu Safran explains that the Kohen’s clothes themselves were
modest and simple, while the Kohen provided the honor by behaving modestly
and appropriately. A Kohen acting modestly helps associate all Kohanim with
appropriate and modest behavior, thus glorifying the role and sanctifying
G-d’s name in the process.
We all have a responsibility to act honorably, which will lead to
celebrating G-d’s greatness, which will lead to greater sanctity,
spirituality, and purpose. When our actions are honorable, it reflects well
on ourselves, our family, our community, and G-d.
_______________________________________________
Quotation of the week:
"The purpose of life is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate,
to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." -
Ralph Waldo Emerson