5784/2024
In this week’s Parashah, Parashat Tetzaveh, the Torah talks about the various Bigdei Kehunah and the special Begadim of the Kohen Gadol. The Rambam says that the Mitznefet, or hat, of both regular Kohanim and of the Kohen Gadol was sixteen Amot long. The Rambam explains that the Mitznefet would be wrapped around the Kohen’s head multiple times. The Rambam adds that the Avneit, or sash, which was worn by all Kohanim, was thirty two Amot long!
Rav Meilech Biderman poses the following question. There is a concept in Halachah that the Bigdei Kehunah must fit the Kohen who wears them perfectly. If the garment is just a little too big or a little too small, the garment is Pasul and consequently, the Avodah the Kohen did while wearing them is Pasul. If this is the case, why are the Mitznefet and Avneit so large?
The Mitznefet rests on the head of the Kohen and the Avneit covers his heart. Rav Zalman Sorotzkin explains that in order to keep our hearts and our minds pure we need to have many protective layers. It’s not enough to say that one is a Yarei Shamayim and will not sin, we need layer after layer after layer in order to keep ourselves in a holy state. The Passuk says ׳׳וְלֹֽא־תָתֻ֜רוּ אַחֲרֵ֤י לְבַבְכֶם֙ וְאַחֲרֵ֣י עֵֽינֵיכֶ֔ם׳׳ “do not stray after your heart or your eyes”. These are the places where we need the most protection, and these are the places where the Bigdei Kehunah have layers.
Each person needs to recognize his strengths and his weaknesses and put up protective barriers where he needs them most, his head and his heart.