A Thought On Parshas Tetzaveh
A Thought On Parshas Tetzaveh
"...es ha'urim v'es'ha'tumim..."
"...and the Urim v'Tumim..." (28:30)
The Kohen Gadol wore a bejeweled breast-plate, adorned with twelve gemstones. Each gem represented one of the twelve tribes, and etched on the metal plate was the name of that tribe, as well as some other words.
We sometimes find that the term Urim v'Tumim is used interchangeably with other terms which pertain to vestments worn by the Kohen Gadol. The reality is, we do not have a clear understanding of what it was (owing to both varying opinions and to it being a lost antiquity), nor do we know what the words themselves mean. Some contend that they mean "Lights and Perfections", or "Revelations and Truths", or "Explanations and Pairings." What is clear is that we are not clear about how to translate those two words.
The Bechor Shor observes that an "Ur" means a place or location, such as we find earlier in the Torah that Avraham came from "Ur Kasdim" (Bereishis 11:31). A "Tum" (not the antacid) means a border, similar to the word tehom (a vertical boundary or subterranean strata) or techum (horizontal limit or boundary). So according to the Bechor Shor, the Urim v'Tumim were "designated places and boundaries." This means that the breast-plate with its gems and tribe-identifiers was a symbol to designate that whereas the Jewish nation consisted of twelve interdependent entities, each one nonetheless needed to maintain its personal identity, and the unified nation needed to respect each other's respective boundaries.
The Bechor Shor elaborates that when the verse later says that "mishpat Benei Yisroel" - the status of the nation - is carried on that breast-plate, this refers to the immutable imperative that all Jews must accept and respect the rights and privileges of other Jews. Those rights are Divinely ordained, as revealed by the glimmering tribal stones and names which were borne by the Kohen Gadol in all of his sacred avoda. Part of being godly and living a life which is consecrated to HaShem lies in the preservation of human boundaries.
The Urim v'Tumim were a reminder of the sanctity of Jews respecting and protecting one another, including our protecting ourselves from each other's ill will, exploitation and manipulation. This is why the Kohen Gadol wore garments when serving HaShem which asserted that the Tribes of Israel deserve individual places (Urim) and sacrosanct boundaries (Tumim).
Wishing you a tolerant and respecting Shabbos. D Fox
"...es ha'urim v'es'ha'tumim..."
"...and the Urim v'Tumim..." (28:30)
The Kohen Gadol wore a bejeweled breast-plate, adorned with twelve gemstones. Each gem represented one of the twelve tribes, and etched on the metal plate was the name of that tribe, as well as some other words.
We sometimes find that the term Urim v'Tumim is used interchangeably with other terms which pertain to vestments worn by the Kohen Gadol. The reality is, we do not have a clear understanding of what it was (owing to both varying opinions and to it being a lost antiquity), nor do we know what the words themselves mean. Some contend that they mean "Lights and Perfections", or "Revelations and Truths", or "Explanations and Pairings." What is clear is that we are not clear about how to translate those two words.
The Bechor Shor observes that an "Ur" means a place or location, such as we find earlier in the Torah that Avraham came from "Ur Kasdim" (Bereishis 11:31). A "Tum" (not the antacid) means a border, similar to the word tehom (a vertical boundary or subterranean strata) or techum (horizontal limit or boundary). So according to the Bechor Shor, the Urim v'Tumim were "designated places and boundaries." This means that the breast-plate with its gems and tribe-identifiers was a symbol to designate that whereas the Jewish nation consisted of twelve interdependent entities, each one nonetheless needed to maintain its personal identity, and the unified nation needed to respect each other's respective boundaries.
The Bechor Shor elaborates that when the verse later says that "mishpat Benei Yisroel" - the status of the nation - is carried on that breast-plate, this refers to the immutable imperative that all Jews must accept and respect the rights and privileges of other Jews. Those rights are Divinely ordained, as revealed by the glimmering tribal stones and names which were borne by the Kohen Gadol in all of his sacred avoda. Part of being godly and living a life which is consecrated to HaShem lies in the preservation of human boundaries.
The Urim v'Tumim were a reminder of the sanctity of Jews respecting and protecting one another, including our protecting ourselves from each other's ill will, exploitation and manipulation. This is why the Kohen Gadol wore garments when serving HaShem which asserted that the Tribes of Israel deserve individual places (Urim) and sacrosanct boundaries (Tumim).
Wishing you a tolerant and respecting Shabbos. D Fox
posted by Rabbi Dr. Fox at 11:02 PM
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