Community Rabbi Corner, March 6, 2020

Rabbi David Greenstein
Congregation Shomrei Emunah
Montclair, NJ
Parashat T’tzaveh/Purim

This portion describes the vestments that the priests wore as they administered the rituals in the Tabernacle. The High Priest had garments that set him apart from the other priests. Included in his uniform were two precious stones, engraved with the names of the Tribes of Israel, worn on his shoulders, and 12 precious stones that also carried the names of the Tribes, worn against his heart.
 
Why the redundancy? The shoulder gemstones pointed upwards, to heaven. They were a graphic reminder and appeal to God to care for the People of Israel. But in what way were those stones that were on the High Priest’s chest – and which were pointed toward the human viewer – also “a reminder to God?” (Exodus 28:29)
 
Perhaps these stones were meant to remind God of how much we humans care for each other. The High Priest held all the names of the Children of Israel close to his heart, as if to say: Behold how precious are the Children of Israel! When he entered the Holy Place the High Priest could remind God to care for Israel only because he, himself, cared for them so much.
 
This lesson is so appropriate for appreciating the holiday of Purim. Because Purim was a holiday created by human beings, we did not offer sacrifices in the Temple to celebrate it. But we did mandate offerings! They are offerings to people in our community. They are the mitzvot of mishloah manot – gifts to our friends, and - just as important, if not more important - matanot la-evyonim – gifts to the needy. Just as the High Priest taught us, we express our thanks to God by being caring to each other.
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