This week we continue the story of the building of the sanctuary/mishkan in the desert by focusing on the  clothes of the priests/kohanim. Some commentators suggest that the special clothing sets the priests apart from “regular” people. Others suggest that the clothing helps to remind them that they are not masters but rather servants of the people. Ex. 28:9 tells us that the ephod/breastplate was inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes. In verse 12, it says: “Aaron shall bear their names before God upon his shoulders as a remembrance.” The priests enabled the animal sacrifices that people wished to offer. They also were ritual healers who enabled impure people to become ritually pure. They were to carry the people on their shoulders at all times.

       The priests were early examples of community organizers. The mishkan/sanctuary could be seen as the first Jewish community center. How? It was built by the donations of materials and work expertise from everyone in the Israelite community. Once built, it was placed in the center of the encampment. There were three tribes on each side of the mishkan, meaning that it literally was the center of the community.

          Hillel said: Be of the disciples of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace, loving humankind and drawing them close to the Torah. (Ethics of our Ancestors 1:12). It is striking that Aaron, the first kohen/priest is known as someone who not just loves peace but pursues it (rodeif). It is also worth noting that Aaron sought peace not just for the Jewish people. Hillel uses the word beriyot, which means all living creatures. Peace cannot be limited –it has to include everyone for it to peace.

          American leaders don’t dress any differently than the people. Perhaps the early founders of the United States were rebelling against the elaborate clothing of British monarchs. It was the right decision but maybe our leaders lost that reminder that they are meant to serve the people. Instead, too often, our leaders seem only self-serving. Too often instead of bringing people together, they are experts in tearing us apart. They forget that they are not the center of our universe. The mishkan was placed in the center of the camp to remind the Israelites that what centered them was a set of values, hopes, and traditions. As we celebrate Presidents Day, let us remember that George Washington  voluntarily chose to step away from the power of the presidency and Abraham Lincoln  brought a nation together even amidst a bitter conflict.

“We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”
― Abraham Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

“A majority held in restraint by constitutional checks and limitations, and always changing easily with deliberate changes of popular opinions and sentiments, is the only true sovereign of a free people.”
― Abraham Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln's First Inaugural Address