“But he shall not come to the curtains, nor approach the altar, for a blemish is in him; and not profane My holy places for I am Hashem who sanctifies them.” (Vayikra 16:2)
Last week, we discussed how Hashem taught Moshe to be sensitive when speaking to Aharon so as not to hurt his feelings even accidentally. This week, when speaking about the role of the Kohain Gadol and his special laws, Hashem turns to the topic of Kohanim who have physical deformities, and seems rather blunt. Moshe is told to command Aharon that any Kohain of his descendants who has a blemish shall not enter the area of the curtain where a Kohain Gadol would go, nor to the Mizbeach, not only to do the Avoda, but even to bow to Hashem, for his presence there would defile the korbanos and the Mikdash.
This seems rather harsh, especially if it’s a deformity the person was born with. They’re already suffering from a disability, and now we cause more pain by insulting them and pointing out their flaws? The Torah gave a blanket expression to the blemishes, “any muum,” but then goes on to delineate different types of disfigurements. Are we just rubbing it in? It’s not their fault! (in most cases) Not only that, but we say that if one does approach, he defiles not only the sacrifices but the Sanctuary itself. This doesn’t seem very sensitive.
The reason it appears cruel is that we are looking through the eyes of Man; not the eyes of G-d. Before each soul is born, it accepts upon itself a specific mission in life. Perhaps it need to rectify the errors of a previous life, or it is being prepared for a higher emanation, but the deformities these people bear have been chosen by their souls and are specifically geared to the life’s mission they have.
The Kohanim who have blemishes should not approach the holy places, even if not performing the service. Were we to allow them to do so because we feel bad for them, we’d be undermining their purpose in life. Think about it, these Kohanim have a special mitzvah all their own to NOT do what other Kohanim do. Certainly, life might be easier being just like everyone else, but if that’s not what happened, it’s likely because there is a higher purpose awaiting them.
Objectively, one might say they are blocked from fulfilling a mitzvah, but it’s quite the opposite. That’s not their mitzvah! Their mitzvah is something the other Kohanim don’t have. They are unique. Perhaps the Torah delineates numerous different blemishes to teach us the circumstances of each person’s life are unique to their role in the world. Depending on the blemish, they may find a clue to their goals. The Torah says a blemished person who violates this rule defiles what Hashem has made holy, because He has also made them different and special for a reason – kadosh, separate.
Instead of being upset with challenges in life, we ought to recognize them as preparation for a higher existence, and push onward towards our destiny.
A good-looking fellow had a great job, phenomenal sporting accomplishments and hobbies, and an absolutely miserable personal life. He could never get past a first date. Then tragedy struck. His mother developed cancer and had no one else to care for her. To his credit, he quit his job and moved several hours away to her small town in the middle of nowhere. He got a mediocre job there, and, with no nightlife for the next two years, until she succumbed to her illness and passed away, he spent all his time taking care of her.
He moved back to the big city, and in a short time, he was married and starting a family. Looking back, he saw that before, he had been so self-centered that nobody was interested in him. However, the years focused on giving and caring for another changed him, and he was able to now have a loving relationship. Those two years of torture turned out to be training, and turned his life around. Far from a punishment from G-d, it was a gift.
