In Parasha Tetzaveh God gives detailed designs for each of the ritual articles of 

clothing to be worn by the High Priest. While we already know that Aaron is a man 

of great character… he still needs the outer trappings of the priesthood… or as 

Maimonides was fond of saying, “the multitude does not estimate man by his true 

form, but by the beauty of his garments.” 

And these elaborate garments are not to be executed by just any shmata makers…. 

God instructs that they are to be made by “The wise hearted people whom I have invested 

with wisdom.”  That is to say designers in whom God has placed ARTISTIC TALENT! The 

biblical equivalents of Calvin Klein, Isaac Mizrahi, and Ralph Lauren.

 
God was fully aware that clothing has the power to communicate and the Israelites 

are in need of a strong visual message.  After all, they had left Egypt, with all 

its pageantry and idol worship, so in his designs God aims to produce a “look” for 

Aaron the priest that makes the statement…that he is to be worshipped Le-Kavod – 

with Dignity, Ule tifaret, and with Beauty.  Aaron’s garb will bespeak Honor and 

Glory. For God’s Service in God’s House, the Priests had to make a REALLY strong 

impression, to paraphrase God, and Vidal Sassoon… “If YOU don’t look good, I Don’t 

look good.”

White linen breeches for modesty, a pure white linen tunic, a blue cloak accented 

with golden bells shaped like Pomegranates that tinkle when you walk.  An apron 

with lapis lazuli detailing on the shoulders, each inscribed with six of the tribes 

so that Aaron can literally carry the Jews on his shoulders.  The whole outfit is 

set off with a breast plate of twelve precious stones, arranged in four rows of 

three, representing the tribes, held in place with blue straps. For a head 

covering, Aaron is issued a white linen turban, flat on top and over that, placed 

low on the forehead, with a blue ribbon upon which is a gold plate with the 

inscription, “Holy to God.”    How fitting, for what is to come, the pageantry of 

the service of the Tabernacle, and later the Temple.  All in all, visually 

STUNNING. 

To impart just how majestic the High Priest was in his garments, I would like to 

share this story from the Talmud:
When Alexander the Great came to conquer Jerusalem, the enemies of the Jews 

slandered them and claimed that the Jews had rebelled. As Alexander approached 

Jerusalem, the High Priest Shimon HaTzaddik came out to meet him in full regalia of 

the eight special garments.

When he saw this impressive sight, Alexander fell on his face and bowed down to the 

High Priest of Israel.
 
Upon seeing this, Alexander's generals asked why he bowed before the Jew. Alexander 

replied, "Every time I go to battle, I see this man in a dream the night before, 

and he assures me that I will be victorious.”

Later, when Alexander wanted to put his statue in the Holy Temple - to solidify 

Jewish loyalty to him - the High Priest had a better suggestion: Every baby boy 

born that year will be named "Alexander!" 
 
And that is how and why the names Alex and Sender, Sandor , Alli, Alexis, Lexi and 

Sandra. Over time all the derivative of Alexander became and continue to be common 

Jewish names.
 
Well… here we are… the sacrificial functions of the Priestly Class are no more.  

The ritual garb is from another era. But we can take away from this week's parasha 

at least two things: first, that we must always look beyond or behind what a person 

appears to be, to find out what they actually are, and second: when we give 

service, Avodah, to God with our prayers, we must find an inner way to approach God 

eem Kavod, Ule-tifaret, with Dignity and Beauty.
 
Speaking of ‘dressing the part’, this week is PURIM with its masks, costumes and 

hidden identities… NOTHING and NO ONE is as they appear. I hope both adults and 

children will take the opportunity to dress to impress or dress to deceive for your 

Purim celebration. 

Until then, Shabbat Shalom and Shavuah Tov!

Rabbi Rose