The Kohanim always had a distinctive look. Their clothing elevated them; it reminded them that they were serving Hashem.
I remember New York City during the days of my youth. Even though we were not religious, there was a certain look. I discussed recently the derech eretz of our parents. In those days, every man wore a hat and suit when he went out; every woman wore a dress. There was a sense of dignity. This is amazing, but if you look at old New York City school buildings, chiseled in the stone over the (now unused) separate entrances are the words “boys” and “girls.” And this was public school!
Today, we live in the age of torn jeans, tattoos and rings on the face. There is also a very disturbing trend – even among some young men who wear yarmulkas – that their hair is cut in such a way that their peyos are totally obliterated!
I am going to say something which may get me in trouble, but I do not understand the trend today to make everything smaller. Why are men’s hats getting smaller and smaller? (I think the manufacturers invented this trend to charge more for less. But why do we fall for it?) And winter coats! A rosh yeshiva wears a full-length coat and he looks dignified. Why do bocherim settle for coats that go only to the waist? When it rains, their pants get wet and when it is cold their legs are cold! What happened to full-length coats? Why do we allow ourselves to become diminished?
We are “b’tzelem Elokim!” It is one thing to be humble; it is another thing to diminish our dignity. Aharon ha Kohain was the master of humility. Moshe Rabbeinu was “ish anav me’od,” but they walked in dignity before Hashem and Aharon wore the bigdei kahuna. They were conscious of their role as Hashem’s emissaries.
I remember reading how the Atler of Kelm, although he lived in poverty, would make sure that every article of clothing was in perfect cleanliness, to such an extent that “people often complimented him on his new purchase for garments that were twenty years old!” (Artscroll/Mesorah: “Rabbi Dessler”)
Hashem’s servants walk in dignity. Their clothing reflects the orderliness of their souls. I also remember reading how the Alter’s “mental processes were so orderly … that he could review at the end of the day everything he had thought about that day.” I don’t say we can live up to that madreiga, but we can aspire to it.
Last Shabbos there was a heavy dust storm over Israel, unusual for this time of year. Strong winds carried clouds of dust from the Sahara Desert and the land of the Nile, where we had once labored as slaves under Paro. Every surface was covered with dust and the sky was a strange yellow-white color. Yerushalayim and Tel Aviv on that day were officially listed as the “most polluted” cities in the world!
After every Shemoneh Esreh we ask Hashem to help us make our soul “like dust to everyone.” I wonder if Hashem sent that storm to remind us that perhaps we are falling short in our attitude of deference toward our fellow Yidden. I am reminded of the Gemara which says, “Who is destined for a share in the World to Come? One who is modest and humble, who enters bowing and leaves bowing, who learns Torah constantly but does not take credit for himself.” (Sanhedrin 88b)
This Shabbos we read Parshas Zachor. In order to face our primordial enemy, Amalek, we need to walk with humility and the dignity of b’tzelem Elokim. Today our enemies surround us and encircle us (see Tehillim 118). Perhaps a few friends remain in the world, but the circle around us is closing. We want to feel secure, but we have to be very careful because our enemies know exactly where we are. I want to reprint here a frightening and relevant passage concerning the Klausenberger Rebbe zt”l.
The Klausenberger was asked by a colleague, “Why does the Rebbe not make his own village in a … rural area like other admorim?” The Rebbe replied: “Indeed, I once contemplated this …. but then my memory brought me back to darker times…. People think the churban can never happen again…. There is no such thing as ‘never again’ …. Don’t think that, in America today, if someone comes after us, America will step in to save us…. I remember when the accursed Germans came in, all the Yidden were gathered together in one place and all he had to do was take them and shecht them…. I will not gather all of us together in one town. I don’t want the enemies to know where we are and make it easy for them to annihilate us!” (Klausenberger Rebbe/Artscroll/Mesorah)
In Eretz Yisroel, the entire world is encircling us, and this goes for every Jewish community. We have to be careful to live with derech eretz and act with ahavas chinom and yiras Shomayim. Yes, in Eretz Yisroel “the eyes of Hashem are on this land from the beginning of the year to the end of the year,” but we have to merit His protection.
All over the world we have to be careful. Amalek is lurking behind every tree. We must look and act like servants of Hashem. “Remember what Amalek did to you, on the way when you were leaving Mitzraim …. when you were faint and exhausted … and he did not fear Hashem….” (Devarim 25:17).
Today we are all “faint and exhausted.” How much more can we endure!
In the merit of our faithful service, may Hashem soon “remember the exhausted nation … and return us to our soil.”(Ka Kaili) Then we will see with our own eyes Hashem’s miraculous redemption, when the Kohanim will once again perform their avoda in the Bais Hamikdosh that will stand – this time forever! -- upon Har Habayis.
GLOSSARY
Ahavas chinom: unconditional love for every Jew
Amalek: our primordial enemy
Avoda: holy work
Bais Hamikdosh: Holy Temple
Begadim: clothing
Bigdai kahuna: garments of the kohanim
B’tzelem Elokim: in the image of G-d
Derech Eretz: proper behavior
Ish anav me’od: a very humble person
Kohanim: the Priests of Israel, descendants of Aaron, Moses’ brother
Moshe Rabbeinu: Moses
Paro:pharaoh
Parshas Zachor: the Biblical passage describing Amalek
Peyos: men’s hair, at the top of the sideburns, which must not be cut
Shecht: slaughter
Yiras Shomayim: Fear of Heaven
