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PARASHAT TETZAVEH
"And you shall make garments of holiness for Aaron your brother for glory and for splendor." (Shemot 28:2) This week's parsha gives a detailed description of the Cohanim's
garments. Besides their deeper meaning and symbolic significance,
each garment must be exquisite and splendid in appearance. Rabbi
Samson Raphael Hirsch explains that whereas the word "for glory"
expresses the spiritual and ethical virtue of the Cehuna, the word
"for splendor" adds the element of beauty and decoration.
Thus, it is clear that according to the Torah a dignified outward
appearance must go hand in hand with inner spiritual attainment.
In his description of the Woman of Valor, King Salomon, also highlights
the importance of being well- dressed: "Luxurious bedspreads
she made herself, fine linen (Shes) and purple (argaman) are her
clothing." (Mishley 31:22) It is interesting to note that fine
linen and purple (shes v'argaman) are the same materials used for
the garments of the Cohanim as it states: "And they shall take
the gold, and the blue purple, and the red purple, (argaman) and
the crimson, and the fine linen. (shes)" (Shemot 28:5) Thus,
the comparison between the Woman of Valor and the Cohen Gadol which
we began in last week's parsha, can be extended to comprise not
only her home and her work, but even the way she dresses. This comparison
is also alluded to in the verse which reads that she seeks wool
and linen, (Mishley 31:13) since these are the materials of Shatnes*
which the Cohen Gadol wears. Just like the Cohanim are commanded
to dress "for glory and for splendor" the Woman of Valor
does not neglect herself. She is not a self-sacrificing "shmata",
dressed in shapeless hand-me-downs. The Woman of Valor understands
the importance of dressing in a dignified manner.
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