Ex. 27:20-30:10
Précis: The
parasha continues with a description of ritual items in the Tabernacle,
including oil for the lamp, priestly clothing, the ephod, breastplate, robes,
plate, and miter. Aaron and his sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eliezer and Ithamar are
designated as Priests and are consecrated with sacrifices and
ceremony. The parasha concludes with a description of the daily sacrifices and
incense to be offered at the Tabernacle.
Ex. 28:9-12 “Then take two lazuli stones and
engrave upon them the names of the sons of Israel six of the names on the one
stone, and the remaining six on the other stone, in the order of their birth.
On the two stones you shall make seal engravings – the work of the lapidary –
of the names of the sons of Israel. Having bordered them with frames of gold,
attach the two stones to the shoulder-pieces of the ephod, as stones for
remembrance for the Israelite people, whose names Aaron shall carry upon his
two shoulder-pieces for remembrance before God.”
Rabbi
Reuven Greenvald (writing in Ten Minutes of Torah, 2/11/19) reminds us
of the modern theory that the Torah is made of separate strands redacted
together. This week’s parasha is viewed as part
of the P-strand, which stands for Priestly code, composed by the priests’ heirs
to Temple authority during the Babylonian exile. Exodus 28 describes the
special clothing of the Priest in sometimes agonizing detail. The main
garment is the ephod, a sort of tunic. There also shoulder pads, bands, and a
breastpiece inlaid with precious stones, as noted in this verse.
Symbolically,
the breastpiece is the perhaps the most interesting part of the Priest’s
attire. Added to the of stones with the names of the tribes is the “breastpiece
of decision,” (choshen hamishpat), which seems to be a pouch
hanging from the neck. These are connected in some way to the oracles of the Urim
and Thummim.
In
describing the function of these engravings in these verses, the Torah
emphasizes the words “remembrance” (zikaron). We are to remember
the people of Israel, and they are also to provide a “remembrance before God.”
Carried above the heart, there are two aspects of this “remembrance.” Since the
heart was viewed as the organ of intent, Aaron is to remember the tribes
accompanying him as he enters the Holy of Holies. And once there, God may be
seen to “remember” the People as well.
If
we look at these garments metaphorically, we may see something apt for today:
leaders often forget those who selected them, and to whom they owe a duty.
Aaron carried the names of the tribes of Israel on his shoulders as he went
about his duties as a reminder of his obligation to those he represented before
God.
