While removing the price tag from an item of winter clothing I had purchased, I smiled at these words on the back: “WARNING: This innovative product will make you want to go outdoors and stay there.” When properly clothed for the climate, a person can survive and even thrive in harsh and changing weather conditions.
The same principle is true in our spiritual lives. In this week’s Torah portion, Tetzaveh, the High Priest, the Kohen Hagadol, wore special clothing which the rabbis understood its deeper meaning. He wore the ephod that contained two precious gems with the names of the 12 tribes engraved upon them. The names of six tribes were engraved on one of stones and the other six tribes’ names on the other one. The Etz Hayim commentary below the line explains the significance of the ephod. “Aaron the high priest was to carry the names of Israel’s tribes on his shoulders ‘like a father carrying a young child on his shoulders to keep the child safe’ (B’er Mayim Hayyim). When Aaron had to make a decision regarding a fellow Israelite, he was to consult not only the rulebook but his heart as well. ‘The heart that rejoiced so unreservedly at his brother’s good fortune (Exodus 4:14) is worthy to wear this emblem before God’ (Tankh. Sh’mot 27).”
Isaiah tells Israel that God has clothed us as well. “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” (61:10)
As Jews we know from our tradition what our all-weather spiritual wardrobe contains. We need to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness. These garments such as kindness, humility, and gentleness—allow us to meet hostility and criticism with patience, forgiveness, and love. They give us staying power in the storms of life. When we face adverse conditions at home, school, or work, the “clothing” God wants us to wear protects us and enables us to make a positive difference.
Dressing
according to God’s guidelines doesn’t change the weather—it equips the wearer.
Shabbat
shalom,
Rabbi Greene
I am $225 short of reaching my new goal of $6500 for my Camp Ramah hike supporting special needs campers. If you haven’t yet made a donation, please be generous and support this wonderful cause. If you have made a donation, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Donating through this website https://secure.e2rm.com/p2p/fundraising/298479/participant/4655264/en-CA is fast, easy, and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts. If you wish, you may also send a check made out to the National Ramah Commission with a notation of your support of my fundraising efforts and send it to National Ramah Commission, 3080 Broadway, NY, NY 10027.
Thank
you so very much for your help.
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