Parshas Titzaveh - Ring in the Middos

In this week’s parsha, the Torah describes the garments worn by the Kohen Gadol (High Priest). The Torah says (Shemos 28:31): “You shall make the Robe (מעיל) of the Ephod entirely of turquoise wool (תכלת).” The Torah adds (28:33-34): “You shall make … a gold bell and a pomegranate, a gold bell and a pomegranate on the hem of the robe, all around. It must be on Aharon in order to minister. Its sound shall be heard when he enters the Sanctuary before Hashem and when he leaves, so that he not die.” It seems unusual that Aharon, the High Priest, would wear bells on his robe. What was their purpose, and why were they so important?"

The Netziv explains that Aharon, the High Priest, served alone in the Heichal (Inner Sanctuary) of the Mishkan, with all the other kohanim waiting outside. The purpose of the bells was to honor the High Priest. All the other kohanim could hear the bells ringing in the Heichal as Aharon performed the priestly service before Hashem.

However, there was a danger that the honor that Aharon experienced when the bells rang could negatively affect him. Aharon might become haughty, and there was a danger that he would forget his place and not serve Hashem properly. Therefore, he wore the blue Robe made out of turquoise wool (תכלת). This word תכלת is also used to describe the turquoise woolen thread used in the tzitzis (see Bamidbar 15:38). Just as the wool in the tzitzis served as a reminder of Hashem because its turquoise color is the color of the heavens, so the turquoise Robe on the heart of the High Priest also reminded him of his place before Hashem and would prevent him from becoming haughty when he heard the ringing of the bells on the bottom of the Robe.

This is puzzling. We are talking about Aharon, the High Priest. Aharon was a tremendously humble person. When he heard that Hashem had designated Moshe, his younger brother, to lead the Jews out of Egypt, Aharon was not jealous. On the contrary, he rejoiced in his younger brother’s ascension to leadership. Aharon was rewarded with wearing the Robe over his heart because he rejoiced instead of feeling jealous of his brother. (See Rashi on Shemos 4:14). Additionally, the High Priest was required to be “exalted above his fellows.” (Vayikra 21:10). The Rambam elaborates that this meant surpassing the other kohanim “in beauty, in strength, in wealth and in wisdom.” (Rambam on Yoma 1:3). Furthermore, the High Priest would be all alone before Hashem in the Heichal. In such a situation, why would Aharon and his successors need the turquoise Robe to remind them not to be haughty? How is it possible that these bells could impact Aharon, the holy High Priest, in such a way that he would feel haughty even when standing before Hashem?

The Torah understands human nature, recognizing that everyone has an inner need for self-esteem and a desire for honor. Even the holy High Priest, including Aharon himself, could become haughty, even when alone before Hashem. If this is a danger for the High Priest, then how much more do the rest of us need to guard against feeling excess honor and becoming haughty. The Mishnah warns us about this: “Rabbi Elazar Ha-kappar said: envy, lust and [the desire for] honor put a man out of the world. (Avos 4:21).”

We need to be very careful to avoid feeling haughty in any way. We should adopt the attitude of Rabbi Levitas of Yavne who stated, “Be exceedingly humble in spirit for the anticipated end of mortal man is worms.” (Avos 4:4). With this perspective, one can cultivate humility and positively impact both oneself and others, fostering a more moral world.

Shabbat Shalom!

-Rabbi Garber