Torah.org Rabbi Wein - Longing for Those Precious Conversations
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Rabbi Wein
By Rabbi Berel Wein
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Parshas
Tetzaveh
Longing for
Those Precious Conversations
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One of the main
garments that the High Priest of Israel donned was the jewel-bestudded
breastplate – choshen – that he wore upon his chest. This
breastplate contained twelve precious jewels of different colors and on
each of the stones was engraved the name of one of the tribes of Israel.
In addition to these
stones there were two large elongated diamond stones that were embedded in
the shoulder straps of the apron – eiphod – that the High
Priest wore. Engraved on those shoulder strap stones were the names of the
Patriarchs of Israel and a reference to all of the tribes of Israel. Thus
all of the twenty two letters of the Hebrew alphabet were to be found on
these stones in the breastplate and on the shoulder straps.
This allowed these
stones and their engraved letters to serve as the urim v’tumim –
the means of prophecy by which important national issues could be decided
with Divine help and intervention. Though the letters of the answer shone
on the stones, the ability to string the letters together correctly and
coherently into the necessary words and message depended upon the prophets
of Israel who “read” the urim v’tumim accurately.
This was symbolic of
the symbiotic relationship, so to speak, of God and the Jewish people in
pursuit of the national and spiritual goals of Israel. Only by this
interaction of Heaven and humans could the message of the urim v’tumim have
any constructive meaning. Heaven alone never completely determines our
future. We must also work and strive, interpret and analyze, study and act
in order to see our future realized successfully.
In the pocket of
the choshen there was inserted a piece of parchment with
the ineffable name of the Lord written upon it. This was the engine that
powered the miracle of the urim v’tumim. Without
its presence the choshen was a lifeless collection of
jeweled stones. This significance is part of Jewish tradition.
Beauty and expensive
value are only relevant when they are somehow inspired and created for a
lofty purpose of spirit and service. King Solomon wisely said that “if the
Lord builds not the city then those that have constructed it have toiled in
vain.”
In Second Temple
times the choshen was present on the breast of the High
Priest. But the urim v’tumim was no longer in
effective operation. The human element of service and dedication was
already lacking. There were no longer prophets present amongst Israel and
the choshen therefore was merely an ornament, part of the
uniform of the High Priest but no longer a Godly guide to the future and a
source of instruction to the people of Israel.
Because of this, the
great men and rabbinic leaders of Second Temple times in the Land of Israel
recognized early on that this Temple was ultimately doomed to be destroyed.
The necessary interplay of Heaven and earth, of God and His creatures were
no longer present. In such an environment, no matter how beautiful the
structure or how handsome the jewels may have been, the whiff of eternity
upon which all Jewish life is based was absent. It is our task to somehow
restore the very same urim v’tumim in our
personal and national lives.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Berel Wein
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Rabbi Wein © 2022 by
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Free to study all Jewish Scripture:
- Sefaria Calendar
Our Prayer and hope: All the gates to the Har ha-Bait have to be opened for Jews and non-Jews seven days in the week 24 hours a day. The Jews need to have the freedom to go with Tefillin, Tallit and Torah Scroll up on the Mountain to serve Hashem. And do קידה ('Kidah' prostate, laying down, before Hashem) Everyone showing his/her respect for the Jewish and all other religions. But NOT for the words/deeds/sins spoken against any word of the Torah of Moshe Rabbeinu and the 'real' teachings of the Jewish Rabbis. The Jews must be the guardians of the Har ha-Bait.
תפילתנו ותקוותנו: כל שערי הר הבית צריכים להיפתח עבור יהודים ולא-יהודים שבעה ימים בשבוע 24 שעות ביממה. ליהודים צריך להיות חופש ללכת עם תפילין, טלית וספר תורה במעלה ההר כדי לשרת את ה' ולקוד קידה .מתוך הפגנת כבוד ליהודים ולכל הדתות האחרות, אבל לא למילים/למעשים/לחטאים הנאמרים נגד תורת משה רבנו. מלמודי רבנים, היהודים חייבים להיות שומרי הר הבית.
Ariel, hopefully your Representee
אריאל, מקווה שהנציג שלך
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