parsha of the week

Turning away from all the crookedness

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One of the garments of the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) was the Tzitz, a plate of gold worn on the forehead, inscribed with the words “Kodesh LaShem” (Holy to G-d). In describing its placement on his forehead, the Torah says, “It shall be on Aharon’s forehead, and thus Aharon shall lift away the crookedness of the holy things that the children of Israel dedicate to the Sanctuary, with reference to all their holy gifts. It shall be on his forehead at all times, to express their good will for them before the Presence of G-d” (28:38, translation from Hirsch Chumash).

How could it be on his forehead at all times? As the Pesikta notes, wouldn’t he enter a bathhouse or a bathroom? Rather, it means that he should not get distracted from knowing it is there while he is wearing it. (Pesikta extracts from this a reminder of the importance of having in mind tefillin that a person is wearing.)

Rashi suggests that the Tzitz functions in this role of bringing atonement “all the time,” even when it is not being worn by the Kohen Gadol.

“It is impossible to say that it should always be on his forehead, for it is only on him during the Temple service. Rather ‘always’ means it will ‘always appease on their behalf,’ even when not on his forehead, and even when he is not doing the service.” Rashi also offers an explanation of a second interpretation, “that when it is on his head, he should be constantly touching it, to remind himself that it is on him” (Artscroll translation).

Other commentaries focus more on how the Tzitz serves to bear the responsibility of sin, or as Rabbi Ramson Raphael Hirsch puts it, to remove sin.

“The Kohen Gadol represents the whole Service of the Sanctuary, and the inscription on his forehead proclaims the Name of G-d, which expresses the whole essence of the one G-d, in His absolutely free personal being. The Sanctuary is consecrated to Him, and all the sacred things of the Sanctuary are directed to Him.

“Hence the Tzitz is designed to nullify any defect or impurity these sacred things might suffer in respect to their unswerving direction to the one G-d. The positive proclamation ‘Holy to G-d’ can nullify serious errors. … If not for the tzitz, the sacred things could not escape this error.”

Haktav V’hakabbalah notes that the Tzitz is meant to inform the thought process of the Kohen Gadol, that his eyes and heart should always be contemplating the greatness of the holiness of G-d’s Name that he bears on his head, much in the manner that all of us are supposed to carry “these words that I command you today on your hearts” (from the Shema), which is a reference to awareness and mindfulness.

The Talmud in Zevachim (88b) notes that the clothes of the kohanim atone for the stubbornness and brazenness of Israel. While more details appear in the Talmud about each specific vestment, there is what to be said about the only garment that carried G-d’s name serving in such a capacity.

It is relatively easy to see that the Israelites in the desert were stubborn (stiff-necked) and brazen (often complaining). These character traits were definitive of the Jewish people in G-d’s eyes, and have come to haunt us in some ways, while serving as a key to our survival through the millennia in other ways.

How do these traits work for us today? It depends how they are used.

When our stubbornness and brazenness help us take stances for what it truly means to honor G-d and His Torah, and to live by the precepts which have defined our people, then we are doing well. If these traits cause us to think we are better than other people, whether fellow Jews or those who are not Jewish, then we have fallen prey to arrogance and bigotry, which are the most un-godlike behaviors.

All of humanity are G-d’s children. The Kohen Gadol’s forehead plate was meant to be a reminder to everyone who encountered him that “holiness is for G-d” and any activity you undertake which is done in the name of holiness should be a true reflection of what G-d has instructed or even demanded.

Killing in G-d’s name, destroying others’ lives in G-d’s name, disagreeing with others and claiming to represent G-d, are actually the most un-godlike activities and are terrible desecrations of G-d’s name. It only comes from arrogance and from believing that “only I truly represent G-d and everyone else is an imposter.”

The prophet Micha told us to “walk humbly with G-d”and not to ever think we are His emissary to do anything other than to represent Him with the utmost humility.