Parashat Tetzaveh- Hiddur Mitzvah

V’asita bigdei-kodesh l’Aharon achikha l’khavod ul’tif’aret.

And you will make sacred garments for Aharon, your brother, for honour and for splendour. (Shemot 28:2)

At Har Sinai the Israelites went through a crucible. In it they were transformed from scared slaves running from their oppressors to a new-formed unified people. As they emerge, with their changed focus, they not only work to create a new system of government, a new system of leadership, but one that goes beyond the merely functional. The Mikdash described last week, and the garments worn for service therein, are not only things of function, but of beauty. It’s an interesting twist. A crucible is never easy. It is a transformation through extreme difficulty. It burns you, but through it you are reborn into a new body, a new form. It makes you harder and stronger. It came help you to focus. Focus can often bring simplicity. It can cause you to look for the most streamlined means to your end. In this light, it would have been easier for God to command simplicity. A simple tent and wooden altar and plain robes would have sufficed. A tight focus on the observance of the mitzvot alone would have allowed us to fulfill the letter of the laws given. But instead, we are to seek beauty. In parashat Beshallach, in the Song of the Sea, Moshe says, “Zeh Eili v’anveihu, Elohei avi va’arom’menhu.” “This is my God and I will glorify Him; My God is my father’s and I will exalt Him.” (Shemot 15:2) The Rabbis linked this to the building of the Mikdash. Rabbi Ishmael asked, “How can a human glorify an ineffable God?” We do so by glorifying our observance of the mitzvot. We delve into our hearts to make use of the talents with which God has blessed us, creating objects and garments that will not only be functional, but that will adorn the person or place with honour and with splendour. We give what we can, whether in money, in items, or in work. In modern times this translates into donations and volunteering. It is the time we spend on synagogue, school and organization boards and committees. It is our attendance at t’fillot, events and programs. It is making the synagogue a beautiful and welcoming place that it’s worth dressing up to go to. It is sharing our joy and love of Jewish holiday and custom with family and friends, children and grandchildren.