Timeless Torah

Admittedly, I’m no expert. But then again, who says that all the marketing specialists that dictate current fashion and style are any wiser than I. True they are aware of the latest trends, but that which is presently fashionable should not be automatically equated with good taste. “Put your faith in us,” the know-it-all designers declare. “And you could achieve great things. We’ll show you how to dress for success. Who better than us to follow. After all, we are the mayvins.”

If the truth be told, we don’t need to turn to Paris for discover that “Clothes Make the Man”. All that is required is a careful reading of this week’s Biblical portion to understand the importance of proper attire. As the Torah clearly states, both the kohanim (priests) and the Kohen Gadol (high priest) could only be inducted into G-d’s service after donning the specially prepared outfits. In fact, if at any time throughout their careers, they would perform one of their Temple duties minus one of their designated articles of clothing, the service performed was rendered invalid.

Not only did the Jewish nation come to respect and appreciate the significance of the priestly vestments, eventually their importance entered the consciousness of the mighty empire of Rome. This interesting development took place in the final decades of the Second Temple era. At that time (circa 30 -70 CE), the Roman High Commissioners who were the real administrators of Judea kept the clothing of the High Priest locked up in the Antonia fortress in Jerusalem.

This ace, so to speak in the Roman deck of cards, gave the High Commissioners tremendous negotiating power with the Jews. After all, who was to receive the holiest position in the country, that of Kohen Gadol, could now only be acquired with the consent of Rome’s representative.

This Torah reading however takes the issue of clothing one step further. It not only testifies that Clothes make the Man, it qualifies that statement by asking, who makes the clothes? The actual words of the Bible are, “all the wise hearted people whom I have invested with a spirit of wisdom, they shall make the vestments of Aaron.” Of course, as with any single verse in the Torah there are a variety of insights and interpretations, we however will only examine one thread of thought.

Among the eight articles worn by the Kohen Gadol there was a Tzitz, a narrow gold plate, two fingerbreadths wide, worn upon the forehead. Inscribed on this band were the Hebrew words, Kodesh LaHashem, Holy to G-d. This Head-plate was secured by means of p’sil t;chayles, threads of blue.