Standing In The Clothes You Once Wore (Bob Dylan - "It's All Over Now Baby Blue")

 For the past couple of weeks, Canada has experienced a loud minority publicly demonstrating against vaccine mandates, mask mandates, and any other public health mandate for the sake of their “freedom”. As my son and I watched the news coverage of truckers occupying Ottawa, demonstrating in downtown Toronto, along the border in Alberta, Quebec City, and other parts of Canada; our daughters called us to tell us that this “trucker demonstration” has made the national news in the U.S. and even the local news in New York City. As the days passed and we continued to watch what was occurring in Ottawa, our son commented that these truckers were starting to look like some of the same types of people who appeared at another national capital, protesting their general unhappiness. He noted that the appearance began to change when he started to see Confederate Flags, Nazi flags, and swastikas at the trucker demonstrations. He noticed the appearance began to change when one western  Conservative leader went to speak to the truckers and commented that they were just like his neighbors. Indeed, it seems that below the surface of the “trucker protest” there is a very different type of uniform.   

This Shabbat, we read from Parshah Tetzaveh, and in it, we learn about the uniform of the Kohen Gadol, the High Priest. Just like last week’s Parshah was a series of instructions on the way in which a physical space becomes beautified and holy, Parshah Tetzaveh offers a series of instructions on the way in which a certain individual’s physical appearance is beautified, and glorious. From head to toe, we are told that each item of the Kohen Gadol’s priestly uniform is made of fine linen, valuable stones, gold, cotton silk turquoise wool to name just a few of the ingredients. 

Certainly, we could understand the Parshah from a superficial perspective but to do so would be to misunderstand a deeper and perhaps more powerful message. We live in a society where “clothes make the man”, clothes define who and what we are Clothes express our likes, our dislikes, as well as express our “brand” and even how we wish to be identified. However, what if clothing were a symbolic expression, an indicator of our intelligence, our emotional health, our sense of decency, the holiness that exists within our soul, and the degree to which that holiness is expressed?  What would such clothes look like?   Parshah Tetzaveh teaches us that clothing, our exterior can serve as an expression of spiritual holiness.  The Bigdei Kehuna -The Priestly Vestments express the degree to which the Kohen Gadol must permit God into his life in order to achieve the requisite level of Holiness to serve the people as well as establish the appropriate environment for God Shechina (the godly Aspect that dwells among the people) to dwell in the Mishkan. V’Kidashti et Ohel Mo’Ed v’Et Ha’Mizbeach V’Et Aharon v’Et Banav Akadesh L’Chahen Li – I shall sanctify the Tent of Meeting and the Altar, and Aaron and his sons shall I sanctify to minister to Me V’Shachanti B’Toch Bnai Yisroel V’Hayiti Lahem L’Elohim I shall rest My Presence among the Children of Israel, and I shall be their God (Ex. 29:44-45). God’s presence will make the Tent of the Meeting holy. In other words, God’s presence will make a particular space holy.   Rabbi Ovadiah Sforno (15/16th Century Italy) explains that God rests among us in order to accept with favor our prayers and service. However, God resting his Presence is not enough. The Kohanim and ultimately the rest of us need to recognize that this is our God and we need to act appropriately. We can never take God’s proximity for granted. Therefore Aaron and his sons, serving on behalf of the people, must achieve a higher degree of holiness compared to the rest of the people. This higher level of holiness must exist both inside and outside. Any inconsistency renders the Kohen Gadol impure. If the clothes become physically dirty, then he is momentarily impure. If his heart wanders, if his mind is elsewhere, or if he has not completely given of himself to the service to God on our behalf, then he is momentarily impure as well.

        Judaism is about creating opportunities where the physical world seamlessly connects to the spiritual world. In the realm of time; Shabbat is a designated day when the physical seamlessly knits together with the spiritual world.  However, even in the course of a regular day, we have the opportunity through prayer, Kashrut, study, and Gemilut Chasadim for our internal “clothing” to match our external clothing. Sometimes it is very easy to lose sight of what matters. No, there is nothing wrong with protesting against disagreeable policies. Such expression is one of the protected rights and one of the privileges of living in a liberal democracy. However, there is a difference between the trucker and the typical clothing a trucker wears while on the road, protesting public health policies, and the trucker who wears a cap with an emblem of the Confederate flag or has the Confederate Flag on his truck, and swastika flag next to the Canadian Maple Leaf. Suddenly, the trucker's clothing has been "accessorized with symbols of a darker and far more sinister message. Just as clothing can elevate the soul, some uniforms and symbols can diminish the soul and express a blight upon the soul.

Peace,
Rav Yitz

"Come In," She Said, "I'll Give You Shelter From The Storm" (Bob Dylan: Shelter From The Storm)

           I spent this past week finishing up my final days of quarantine. I took my Covid Test and had a requisite Negative result  72 hours prior to my returning to the border, took the Covid Test upon my arrival at the border two weeks ago, took my Day 8 Covid test and received the negative result three days later, I have received the daily phone calls, filled out my daily questionnaire on the ArriveCan app. Oh, I was already fully vaccinated prior to my driving out of Canada. I was even visited by someone from Health Canada inquiring about my quarantine three days before the rules for re-entry and quarantine changed for Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada. During this time, I began to wonder about the logic and science of it all.  Six months ago, even three months ago, I completely understood the rationale of the testing and the 14-day quarantine. Back then,  Canada was at the beginning of the vaccination rollout process and there were all kinds of issues regarding supply. As I entered my final days of quarantine, Ontario had more than 70% of its population with one shot and nearly 30% of its population fully vaccinated.  I have been fully vaccinated for more than 5 weeks. I had no Covid 72 hours prior to crossing the border 15 days ago Friday. I was negative when I crossed the border. I was negative 8 days into quarantine. So, when I was visited by Health Canada, I asked him the logic of remaining in quarantine.

          This Shabbat, we read from the final two Parshiot in Sefer Bemidbar (Book of Numbers): Matot and Masei.  This double Parsha begins with the laws of Nedarim (Vows), and then B'nai Yisroel fights against the Midianites. Moshe rebukes his officers for their collective failure to deal with the Midianite woman since they were the cause of Bnai Yisroel’s plague in the first place. Bnai Yisroel then begins the process of dividing the spoils of this battle. Two tribes, Reuben and Gad request to settle in the land east of the Jordan River and not the land promised by Hashem. Moshe expresses his anger over the request and the two tribes amend their request. Moshe adds a condition and an agreement is reached. The Torah recounts the various stops that Bnai Yisroel made on their journey to Eretz Canaan, the boundaries of Eretz Canaan are clarified, the new leadership is introduced and the cities of refuge of explained and established. Finally, Sefer Bemidbar concludes with a reminder of the laws for tribal inheritance. With all those loose ends neatly sewn up; B'nai Yisroel now sits on the eastern bank of the Jordan River waiting to enter Eretz Canaan. As we conclude the reading, we say Chazak Chazak v’ NitChazeik – From strength to strength we shall go forward in strength.

           The Arei Miklaat, the Cities of Refuge, were essentially places to quarantine. No, these quarantine-like Cities of Refuge were not instituted for medical purposes. Rather the Cities of Refuge were designed for those individuals accused of manslaughter. In order to avoid the victim's family, the perpetrator could flee to one of these cities and quarantine,  seeking refuge. However, instead of remaining in quarantine for 14 days, the individual would have to remain there until the death of Kohen, or for 40 years. These cities were, by design, cities for the Leviim for the Priests. These cities were supported by the tribal lands in which the cities existed. By design, these cities had a different status. V’Eit He’Arim Asher Titnu Le’Leviim Et Shesh Arei Miklaat  Asher Titnu LaNus Shamah HaRotzeach V’Aleihem Titnu Arbaim U’Shtayim Ir - And the cities that you shall give to the Levites shall be the six cities of refuge,  which you shall provide as places to which a murderer can flee. Besides these (six) you shall provide an additional forty-two cities (Num. 35:6). The six cities are for the Leviim, why then, does the verse include another statement which mentions the forty-two cities and for whom, are those cities? Do those cities also allow for a refuge, quarantine, or sanctuary? The Tifferet Shlomo, 19th century Polish Chassidic leader, offered a fascinating way to understand the verse. “The six cities of refuge allude to the six words in the verse Shema Yisroel, Adoshem Elokeinu  Hashem Echad - Hear O’ Israel, the Lord our God the Lord is One (Deut. 5:22). These words indeed provide a spiritual refuge for a Jew’s troubled soul. The additional forty-two cities suggest the forty-two words that make up the “Vehavta” the first paragraph of the Shema, through which a Jew submits his entire being to God’s will.”  

          Indeed, these words, these words of faith provide a refuge, a sanctuary, they allow us to quarantine, to heal, to become and remain spiritually inoculated. To a degree, the Tiferet Shlomo reminds us that the words of the Torah, Judaism itself is a refuge. No, the words of the Torah are not an escape from the world. However the words of Torah, Judaism allows us to infuse holiness into the mundane. That process, infusing holiness into our everyday lives, into everyday ordinary deeds provides a refuge from the mundane, and spiritually enriches one's life by adding meaning. So, after it was abundantly clear that I cannot possibly have the Covid Virus, and therefore cannot transmit what does not exist, the Health Canada person smiled and scratched his head. He said that my conclusion reflects science and logic and understanding. He agreed with me and explained that was the reason why all the checking would be winding down. Everyone now understands that there are legitimate moments to quarantine to seek protection. However, after multiple tests and being fully vaccinated, there is no scientific reason to continue the policy. He then warned me that all it takes is one individual who is not particularly thoughtful, and will be ridiculously overzealous in his/her job and still want to catch people breaking quarantine and issuing fines.

Peace,
Rav Yitz

Clergymen In Uniform (Bob Dylan - "When I Paint My Masterpiece")

            This past Sunday was Super Bowl Sunday. Frankly I think our daughters were more excited for the halftime show with Bruno Mars as opposed to the game. After about ten minutes, our son grew bored (as did most of the rest of the viewing public) and he waited eagerly for the halftime show as well. Whenever my children sit with me and watch a sporting event, I am asked to identify each team by the color of their respective jersey. This game was somewhat different. Since they watched some of the pregame, they quickly learned about the teams and their corresponding jerseys. So instead of being asked which team was which; our daughters displayed some maturity. Each one picked a team to cheer.  No, they did not choose the team because they were familiar with players or coaches. Nor they did not pick a team because they knew that Denver had the best offense and Seattle had the best defense. Nor did they pick a team because they had some emotional attachment to Denver or Seattle. As mature as they may be, my daughters reminded me, that at the end of the day, they are two sweet girls who know very little about football and care even less about football. They only thing they knew and cared about were the colors and patterns of the teams’ uniforms. They knew if they liked the orange or green.

            This week’s parshah, Teztzaveh, is about the clothing, the external beauty and magnificence of the Kohen Gadol, the High Priest. This week’s Parsha is all about dress codes, and looking appropriate. God explains to Moshe that both Aaron and his sons must go through a seven-day consecration ceremony. This ceremony consists of the priests wearing Bigdei Kahuna (Priestly clothes), and offering a sheep sacrifice every morning and afternoon. Besides this, a meal offering (grains) and a libation offering (wine) must accompany the sheep sacrifices. Keep in mind that the slaughtering of animals and then burning of these sacrifices will definitely cause a stench. Since air freshener in aerosol cans did not yet exist, God reminds Moshe that another altar must be built. This altar is for incense, which is to be burned all day and every day during this seven- day period.

            It seems kind of odd. Imagine getting all dressed up in a beautiful Chanel, or Armani suit in order to do lawn work, slaughter animals, or build a fire? The clothing doesn’t seem to be appropriate for the activity. It would appear that the Kohen Gadol might be a bit overdressed. Imagine the cleaning bills? So, why does God tell Moshe V’Asitah Vigdei Kodesh L’Aharon Achichah l’Chavod U’letifaret- and you shall make vestments of sanctity for Aaron your brother for glory and splendor. (Ex 28:2). The Parsha spends a lot of time describing gowns, turbans breastplates, forehead plates and tunics. Clearly the Torah considers these garments as sacred. Only the Priest can wear these garments, and only at the time of making sacrifices. These were very expensive glorious looking clothes to be used for sacrificing animals, sprinkling blood, and burning the sacrifice. The Kohen worked in the Mishkan, the place where God would dwell. Everything associated with the Mishkan must reflect the fact that God dwells there. Like a king’s palace reflects royalty, those who serve in the king’s court would also dress appropriately no matter the type of person. The Sefer HaChinuch explains that the magnificence and beauty also served to inspire awe in the hearts of all who came, and as a result, they were drawn closer to God. Anything that looked less than “beautiful” would be out of place. This explains why the Priest did not have a cleaning bill. Once the clothes became soiled they were replace by new garments.

            Is Parsha Tetzaveh really teaching us that clothes make the man?  We learn that all this magnificence and beauty is in the context of the Priest serving God. We learn that all this magnificence and beauty is in the context of the Priest performing sacrifices to God, on behalf of themselves and the community. A relationship with God, who dwells among us, is based upon the creation of Zman Kodesh (holy Time) and Makom Kodesh (holy space). The holy place was the Mishkan, the Tabernacle and later the Bet HaMikdash, The Holy Temple. Following the destruction of the Temple, the Bet Midrash, (House of Learning), and Shul, (Synagogue), and even our own homes have become Holy Places. The holy time is Shabbat, the three times a day when we pray,  when we study Torah, when we light candles, and when we celebrate Holidays, or even the private moments between husbands and wives. Beauty and magnificence only serve to enhance this holy time and holy space. Beauty for its own sake, like cheering on a team because of the colors and patterns, is a rather empty and fleeting experience. Rather, the more time and energy we invest, the more we learn and celebrate those moments and in that space, the more meaningful the sacred time and space becomes.

Peace,

Rav Yitz

Clergymen in Uniform (Bob Dylan - "When I Paint My Master Piece")

One of the great ongoing battles in our household pits me and my wife against our children. The battle involves clothes, namely their children’s clothes. This battle will flare up in a store or a mall where the child wishes to acquire clothes. Lately the conflict erupts into a large-scale conflagration on a Shabbat morning when children begin complaining that they don’t have anything to wear. Our cold war will become a hot war when our daughter needs to get dressed for a Bat Mitzvah party and she doesn’t like the choices available to her. Thankfully, we don’t have this fight during school since everyone must wear a uniform. So five days a week my wife and I just prepare the next heated fight about clothes; knowing full well that the fight will eventually occur. Like all parents, we understand that as our children become teenagers and get dressed on their own, the clothing conflagrations will be epic in scale; a battle between the parents and the decline of morality within the western world. The fact of the matter is we have uniforms for everything. Every profession, various religious groups, and ethnic groups have uniforms. Even school children where no formal uniforms exist have uniforms. When I was in high school the preppy kids wore khakis and oxford shirts, the punks wore torn T-shirts, army boots, and multicolored hair, the ROTC kids wore a lot of army fatigues, and on game days the jocks wore a dress shirt and tie.

This Shabbat, we read from Parshah Tetzaveh, and in it we learn about the uniform of the Kohen Gadol, the High Priest. Just like last week’s Parshah was a series of instructions on the way in which a physical space becomes beautified and holy, Parshah Tetzaveh offers a series of instructions on the way in which a certain individual’s physical appearance is beautified, and glorious. From head to toe, we are told that each item of the Kohen Gadol’s priestly uniform is made of fine linen, valuable stones, gold, cotton silk turquoise wool to name just a few of the ingredients. Certainly we could understand the Parshah from a superficial perspective but to do so would be to misunderstand a deeper and perhaps more powerful message. We live in a society where “clothes make the man”, clothes define who and what we are. However Parshah Tetzaveh is teaches us something radically different. Instead of clothing making us look sharper, slimmer, better proportioned, what if clothes could express our intelligence, our emotional health, our sense of decency, the holiness that exists within our soul and the degree to which that holiness is expressed. What would such clothes look like? Such clothes would have to express the degree to which we have permitted God into our lives. Such clothes would have to express the holy magnificence of God’s presence within our lives.

The Torah is very clear as to the reason for such highly decorative, highly ornate clothing. V’Kidashti et Ohel Mo’Ed v’Et Ha’Mizbeach V’Et Aharon v’Et Banav Akadesh L’Chahen Li – I shall sanctify the Tent of Meeting and the Altar; and Aaron and his sons shall I sanctify to minister to Me V’Shachanti B’Toch Bnai Yisroel V’Hayiti Lahem L’Elohim I shall rest My Presence among the Children of Israel , and I shall be their God (Ex. 29:44-45). God’s presence will make the Tent of the Meeting holy. In other words, God’s presence will make a particular space holy. Rabbi Ovadiah Sforno (15/16^th Century Italy) explains that God rests among us in order to accept with favor our prayers and service. However, God resting his Presence is not enough. The Kohanim and ultimately the rest of us need to recognize that this is our God and we need to act appropriately. We can never take God’s proximity for granted. Therefore Aaron and his son’s, serving on behalf of the people, must achieve a higher degree of holiness compared to the rest of the people. This higher level of holiness must exist both inside and outside. Any inconsistency renders the Kohen Gadol impure. If the clothes become physically dirty, then he is momentarily impure. If his heart wanders, if his mind is elsewhere, or if he has not completely given of himself to the service to God on our behalf, then he is momentarily impure as well.

Shabbat becomes a day in which our outside, the clothes we wear to shul (synagogue), match our inside, the selfless process of prayer and learning. Just like we cover ourselves in nice clothing, we cover our souls in the very beautiful and ornate vestments of prayer and study. Shabbat is the day when our physical world seamlessly fits in with the spiritual world. Even in the course of a regular day, we have the opportunity through prayer, Kashrut, study, and Gemilut Chasadim for our internal “clothing” to match our external clothing. Maybe if we explain that to children, then they will learn that clothes don’t make the person, but the person makes the clothes. In the meantime, if only we can get the kids dressed on Shabbat morning or for the next Bar/Bat Mitzvah without conflict, everything would be so much simpler!

Peace,

Rav Yitz