This week’s Parsha is Parashat Tzav. G-d instructed Moses to command Aaron and his sons about their duties and rights as Kohanim or priests who offered the animal sacrifices. These Kohanim had to wear very specific garments when they carried out their duties in the Beit Hamikdash. If they did not wear the clothes that were designated to wear while performing their sacrifices/offerings, their services were considered void and were not accepted.
We can apply this to our lives. Clothing and how a person dresses is a great indicator of a person’s status. For example, we can distinguish between a soldier, a nurse, and a policeman because they all wear specific uniforms. There is a passage in the parsha that says, “וְלָבַשׁ הַכֹּהֵן מִדּוֹ בַד,” meaning that the Kohen shall wear a fitted linen tunic. Rashi explains that the word מִדּוֹ–fitted–indicates that the garb of the Kohen must be made to his specific measurements. This may be an obvious requirement, but we can learn something from this on a deeper level. One must wear the garment that fits him, meaning one should not try to be someone or something he/she is not capable of being. Not everyone is suited to be a soldier, nurse, or policeman. Every person has his/her own assets and qualities. Each person must try to live up to his/her own potential and abilities. From this Torah portion about the Kohen’s proper dress, we can learn so much about what it means to ” dress” and present ourselves in a way that reflects our own capabilities. Shabbat Shalom!
By: Malka Suster
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