Devar/5769/Tetsaveh
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עברית
English
And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel (Ex 28:9)
The Torah describes the production of the ephod (apron), which the High Priest wears when he is serving in the Temple. Whenever he approaches to perform any service, he is wearing the ephod, which bears the names of the Tribes of Israel on its shoulders (and also on the choshen mishpat, the Breastplate, which contains the Urim and Tummim).
He wears garments which mention the names of the Tribes for two reasons: first, to "remind" God of them when he is performing the services, in order that He have mercy upon them. And second, so that he not become overly proud and think that he is more important than any other Jew. Rather he is the servant of the people, and must remember this whenever he approaches to God's service. Though it is true that he is the priest who was selected from among his fellow priests, he was selected in fact to represent the people before their God.
Similarly we find in the laws of prayer: But the High Priest -- must bow before each blessing, and at the end of each blessing (Laws of Prayer 5:11). That is, he bows in submission during each blessing of the standing prayer service -- also, so that he not become overly proud, and to inculcate him with the knowledge that he is the servant of God and of His people Israel.
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