Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for 11 Adar 1, 5784
Parsha Tetzavveh: (Exodus 27:20 – 30:10)
Third Portion: Exodus 28:31 – 28:43

Good morning! This morning we are continuing the Parsha of Tetzaveh which means “you should command.” As I reflect on these priestly garments, I am reflecting on purpose – and this idea of agency and autonomy.  A lot of times we use these words interchangeably.  But there is a nuance to them.

Agency is the capacity to act, make a change, make a difference

Autonomy is the right to make a choice regarding our own lives, free from external influences

As we build this relationship with Hashem, how do we maintain (or do we maintain) Agency and Autonomy with Hashem regarding our lives?

These concepts are a little different than the idea of “freedom” which probably connects to just how much autonomy we have.  You see, it’s not binary. We get to make choices, though sometimes these choices are limited.  We may always have autonomy, but we may not always have agency. And – we may feel completely the opposite. We may feel like we have no autonomy even if we do. Autonomy is about “a” choice. Freedom and liberation expands those choices we get to make. Something to chew on here as we dig into the priestly garments. Mainly because it feels like telling Aaron how to dress? Taking away some agency and autonomy. And. Aaron could have decided not to accept the high priest role, right? That was a choice.  Let’s dig in:

31And you shall make the robe of the ephod completely of blue wool.

32Its opening at the top shall be turned inward; its opening shall have a border around it, the work of a weaver. It shall have [an opening] like the opening of a coat of armor; it shall not be torn.

33And on its bottom hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, purple, and crimson wool, on its bottom hem all around, and golden bells in their midst all around.

34A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, on the bottom hem of the robe, all around.

35It shall be on Aaron when he performs the service, and its sound shall be heard when he enters the Holy before the Lord and when he leaves, so that he will not die.

Interesting here. The adornments on the bottom of the robe were for purpose. Sound.

How would sound keep Aaron alive when entering and exiting the holy of holies?

The best answer I can come up with is mindfulness. I would imagine having a ton of distracting thoughts. Entering into the holy of holies, the bells would have kept Aaron’s mind focused.

36And you shall make a showplate of pure gold, and you shall engrave upon it like the engraving of a seal: Holy to the Lord.”

37And you shall place it upon a cord of blue wool and it shall go over the cap, and it shall be opposite the front side of the cap.

38It shall be upon Aaron’s forehead, and Aaron shall bear the iniquity of the holy things that the children of Israel sanctify, for all their holy gifts. It shall be upon his forehead constantly to make them favorable before the Lord.

So we have the robe, and now we have the showplate on the forehead – that says “Holy to the Lord.”  Our minds are set apart for Hashem. Our ears need to hear. Our eyes need to see. That is critical here.

39You shall make the linen tunic of checker work, and you shall make a linen cap; and you shall make a sash of embroidery work.

And the tunic seems to indicate – our bodies need to feel as well.  We have our full senses.  Next we turn to garments for Aaron’s sons. He was the high priest. His sons were priests:

40For Aaron’s sons you shall make tunics and make them sashes, and you shall make them high hats for honor and glory.

We now begin to see the purpose of these garments:

41With these you shall clothe Aaron, your brother, and his sons along with him, and you shall anoint them and invest them with full authority and sanctify them so that they may serve Me [as kohanim].

42And make for them linen pants to cover the flesh of [their] nakedness; they shall reach from the waist down to the thighs.

43They shall be worn by Aaron and by his sons when they enter the Tent of Meeting or when they approach the altar to serve in the Holy, so they will not bear iniquity and die. It shall be a perpetual statute for him and for his descendants after him.

The purpose of these garments – to invest in us so we may serve Hashem, so we will not bear iniquity and die.

These are protection.

And what is interesting to me? We discussed yesterday, these clothes were made in wisdom. Wisdom is feminine. The feminine energy is protecting the masculine body.  It seems like an example of the protective shell around the egg.  The egg was Aaron and his sons. They were naked men.  They needed clothes of wisdom to cover them for protection and service.  This seems to be the way of holiness.

Interesting process this morning! I am curious to your thoughts!

Here are my thoughts from the past two years:

Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for 7 Adar, 5783

I’ve been on a journey recently around leadership. Todays passage and thoughts from a year ago is interesting as it speaks directly to me as I navigate the concept of leadership.

Here’s the relevant piece:

Rabbi Aaron Lewin of Rzesow had this to say, and I think it’s crucial:

“This verse is a lesson to those in a leadership role. Sometimes leaders are inappropriately reserved and reticent, reluctant to raise their voices. Humility is generally an admirable trait, but in a leadership position, you must speak forcibly. Your voice “should be heard” so that the people will be inspired by your words.”

This SOUNDS great in theory. But there are ALSO consequences. Speaking forcibly and directly creates power struggles as raising your voice (and being a part of amplifying the voices of those who haven’t typically had a voice) can cause to those who traditionally hold power to be afraid of losing it.

We are watching the power dynamic unfold in real time in the Torah.

And it all starts within. who holds power within us? What holds power within us? What voices have we silenced within us? What voices do we allow to drive us? Who’s voices internally do we allow to drive us?

These are the questions I’m reflecting on. Do we need to work on our internal programming to be bold? Where do we need to be more forceable within?

I know for me, there is a River of abundance that has remained stuck because I’ve been humble about financial stuff. I have not led. I’ve just allowed the current to get jammed up and stuck. I’ve been afraid to be bold. Honestly? More scared of success than anything else.

Part of my internal “programming” believes I deserve to be in financial poverty. So ideas or opportunities to increase the flow of abundance? I avoid them because I don’t think I’m worthy of it. I self sabotage.

It’s something vulnerable I’m sharing because I’m being nudged gently by the universe to change. To accept I deserve more. And to lead and be bold. And to prioritize abundance.

As an example. I have a ton of content with these Torah thoughts. But for some reason I struggle to do the work to put them all together to create something that might bring financial abundance. I realized (with the help of a friend) that I’ve basically been writing a Torah commentary; every day. For the entire Torah. And now? I’m adding to the commentary a depth of themes.

The content is there. It’s literally a cut and paste job. But for some reason I’ve been really stuck to do it. This morning I realized why.

So I am breathing, practicing self empathy and compassion, and then will move forward. And put these all together. Because I need to be bold and lead.

What are your thoughts?

Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for 7 Adar I, 5782

Today we continue with the priestly garments.

We start with the robe today. What is interesting is that the Torah specifically mentions the bottom of the robe be adorned with an embroidered pomegranate shape and a golden bell, alternating between the two. When Aaron wears it, the sound of the bells on the robe should be heard when he enters and when he leaves; so he shall not die!

Rabbi Aaron Lewin of Rzesow had this to say, and I think it’s crucial:

“This verse is a lesson to those in a leadership role. Sometimes leaders are inappropriately reserved and reticent, reluctant to raise their voices. Humility is generally an admirable trait, but in a leadership position, you must speak forcibly. Your voice “should be heard” so that the people will be inspired by your words.”

I think it is interesting how we often struggle to have our voice be heard, especially as leaders. There is a boldness here called for by the Torah.

Next we have the forehead plate. It was to be made of pure gold. It had the engraving “Holy to God” on it. Hashem tells us in the Torah that Aaron is to wear it and with it, Aaron will obtain forgiveness for the sins of sacrifices consecrated in the temple.

So. Im noticing the purpose here. The robe had a purpose – the bells would create sound so Aaron would not die. The forehead plate was designed to obtain forgiveness. Each item has a purpose. If that is true or inanimate objects, how true is it for us?

Next up is the tunic, turban, sash, and pants. The Torah describes each item; and these are not just for Aaron, but for his sons as well. The idea was coverage of nakedness, but right at the end, we once again find their true purpose; “The (appropriate garments) should be worn by Aaron and by his sons when they enter the Tent of Meeting (Tabernacle, or Holy Temple), or when they approach the altar to serve in holiness, so they will not bear a sin and die. It should be an eternal law for him and for his descendants after him.”

So basically once again, these were provided so the priests wouldn’t die. Purpose is really important in the Torah.

So what is your purpose?