Holy garments

“You shall make holy garments for your brother Aaron, for honor (kavod) and glory (tiferet).” Exodus 28:2

“In the third year of his reign, [Achashverosh] made a banquet for all his princes and his servants, the army of
Persia and Media, the nobles, and the princes of the provinces [who were] before him. When he showed the riches of his glorious (kavod) kingdom, and the splendor (tiferet) his excellent majesty, many days, one hundred and eighty days.” (Esther 1:3-4)
It is fitting that we read Parshat Zachor on the Shabbat before Purim (which begins Monday evening, March 2).

The Torah portion of Tetzaveh describes in detail the garments of the Kohanim and of the Kohen HaGadol (High Priest). The “rank and file” Kohanim wore four special garments, while the Kohen Gadol wore those garments, plus four others.

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All of them symbolized qualities that we most value, including love of G-d, unity and atonement. The Sefer ha-Chinuch (“Book of Education”) says that they were meant to inspire awe in the hearts of all who came and to bring them closer to G-d.

In the beginning of the Megillah (Book of Esther) we read of King Achashverosh celebrating the supposed downfall of the Jewish people. Convinced that the prophecy of Jeremiah that the Jewish people would be redeemed after 70 years of the Babylonian exile did not happen, Achashverosh made a feast for 180 days, displayed the holy vessels of the Temple and wore the garments of the High Priest himself. Far from bringing them closer to G-d, Achashverosh mocked G-d and erroneously believed he was now secure in his kingship.

Of course, he was wrong. As we will read in the Megillah this week, Jeremiah’s prophecy was fulfilled. Achashverosh and his evil Vizier Haman (boo) would be replaced. As the prophet Samuel said: “Netzach Yisrael, lo yishaker” (1 Samuel:15:29), “The Eternal One of Israel will neither lie nor change His mind.”

We celebrate that the Jewish people were redeemed in the days of Mordechai and Esther, and we faithfully believe that we will again be redeemed. May that blessed day come soon.

Shabbat Shalom and Purim Sameach! PJC

Rabbi Eli Seidman is the former director of pastoral care at the Jewish Association on Aging. This column is a service of the Greater Pittsburgh Jewish Clergy Association.