Parashat Tetzaveh - Smell good, look good, be good
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Make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for dignity and splendor. (Exodus 28:2)
In this week's parasha there is a lot of text devoted to what the Cohen Ha'gadol (high priest) will wear in the Mishkan. It is a breastplate and other fine garments made from the best materials and very beautiful looking. The question is, in Judaism, which usually concentrates on inner qualities rather than aesthetics, why is what the cohen ha'gadol wears so important?
Judaism is non-materialistic. I've never found texts that support the pursuit of riches, more expensive clothes, bigger houses and better cars. But Judaism does acknowledge the importance of appearances.
A cohen hagadol wears nice clothes for the dignity and splendor of the thing he will do whilst in the clothes.
"Hiddur Mitzvah--the enhancement of the fulfillment of a mitzvah (commandment), through the adornment of the act. This is why we say Kiddush over fine wine in a beautiful cup rather than over juice in a paper cup. Both will fulfill the minimum requirement of the mitzvah--but by adding beauty we add to the holiness of the act."
http://www.myjewishlearning.com/texts/Weekly_Torah_Commentary/tetzaveh_kolel5762.htm
I think this relates to the secular world as well. When we lead a peula we put on our blue chultzot. This is a symbol to the chanichim that we are a madrich from Habonim Dror and not somewhere else. It also demands a certain level of respect. Most people would buy a new t-shirt or jumper to follow fashion trends, but people pride themselves on keeping the one chultzah for as long as possible. The chultzah is infused with meaning because of the things you do in it, not because of what it is. I've recently become interested in the theory that small things make a big difference. Your environment has a big impact on you. If you work in a dark room you won't be as effective as in a light room. Things we can see change the way we act, for example. if you put on your pyjamas to try and stay awake you are tricking your body and you'll probably start feeling sleepy.
Appearances mean something – but it doesn't have to be in a consumerist way.
And just a little side note about our historical roots relating to incense, slightly connected to the main topic, but mostly just interesting:
From the Midrash Tanchuma on the parasha: The Hebrew word for incense KeToReTH is an acronym: The letter kuf (K) alludes to kedusha--holiness. The letter tet (T) alludes to tahara--purity. The letter resh (R) alludes to rachamim--mercy, and the letter tahf (TH) alludes to tikvah—hope.
The verse in Proverbs teaches, "A mitzvah is the lamp and the Torah is the light..." (Proverbs 6:23). The most heavenly sense is the sense of smell and the midrash of the Tanchuma connects this feeling with four heavenly qualities, holiness, purity, mercy and hope. Each of these qualities brings transcendence and meaning to the banalities of everyday life.
Each day Aaron's morning began with the reminder that existing is not enough, but each day must include kedusha, a commitment to our sacred mission; tahara, a commitment to the cleansing of the spirit; rachamim, a predilection to be generous of spirit; and tikva, a renunciation of despair replaced by a vision of hope. The incense reminds us that this heavenly smoke is meant to light up our souls.
(http://www.hillel.org/hillel/newhille.nsf/jewishresources/index)
So dress right for the occasion, not to look good, but to feel good. And to get yourself in the mood, smell right – because a smell can make you feel great and apparently bring meaning to your life.
Shabbat Shalom
Benji
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