Close To Torah

The Kohanim had special clothing that they had to wear in the Beis HaMikdash. The first three (pants, robe, hat) of the standard four vestments were white and royal and covered the Kohen’s body from head to toe. The last vestment was the Avnet, the belt. Its purpose was not simply to hold the robe closed, for if so, there would be no need for it to be 32 amos (over 60 feet) long! What is this all about?

The Sefer HaChinuch wrote his monumental work with the goal of teaching the beautiful lessons of the Torah while extrapolating upon the 613 Mitzvos. He was perplexed with the belts magnanimous length and he offered the following explanation for it. With a belt that long and the inability to shorten it, the Kohanim were forced to wrap it many times around their waists. This being done, formed a large protrusion of fluffy material around their waist which their hands would gently brush against as they moved about. This was used as a constant physical reminder that they were present in the holiest place on earth and had to act accordingly! When they felt their belt, it stimulated a reframe to concentrate on where they were.

Indeed, we too have such a built-in reminder as the verse describes that whenever we see our Tzitzis, we are to remember all of the Mitzvos of Hashem. Speaking of reminders, we also wear a Yarmulka which reminds us to think about Hashem above us. These Mitzvos often stimulate the question as to why women do not don Tzitzis and a Yarmulka as men do? The answer lies in the very names of male and female. The Hebrew word for male, “זכר, zachor” means “to remember” for males often need to be reminded of their responsibilities…. “honey, please remember to take out the garbage… fix the leak, pick up the groceries…” The Hebrew word for female, “נקבה, Nikeyva” comes from the root of “deep internalization”. Women are naturally faithful and dedicated. Thus, a woman carries Hashem in her heart and mind and does not need a constant reminder as Tzitzis and Yarmulka. Donning one would be like her writing a note to herself reminding her to remember to love her husband or children. A man on the other hand, is well suited and advised to write a note to himself to remember his wife’s birthday and their anniversary. Men don’t pretend to be forgetful (usually), it is just that their natural mind is best suited for focused concentration and it can be challenging for them to be as versatile as a woman in remembering details. Hence, women do not need to wear a Yarmulka and Tzitzis, whereas men need the constant reminder. Indeed, we learn from our Parsha that having positive physical reminders can be a most useful tool in serving Hashem. Many great people would save their Lulav, Matzah and other objects used for Mitzvos to be able to look back upon during the year and re-experience the feelings of inspiration that they took from special times in their lives. May we all merit to make our own reminders to keep our inspiration strong as well.

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