Sforno Selections

Honor and Beauty

שמות כח, ב: לְכָבוֹד וּלְתִפְאָרֶת

The garments of the Kohen serve a twofold purpose. Primarily they are for the honor of HaShem and not for the Kohen. However, they are also meant to lend dignity to the office of the Kohen Gadol so that the people, who are meant to be his pupils, will revere and respect him.

In a subtle way, the Sforno indicates that reverence for a teacher is motivated not only by the inherent respect students have for their teacher but also by the concern the teacher shows for them. This is symbolized by the names of the tribes which are engraved on the breastplate worn next to his heart and on the stones worn on his shoulders.

The Altar

שמות ל, א: וְעָשִׂיתָ מִזְבֵּחַ מִקְטַר קְטֹרֶת

In the previous Parsha (Terumah) the various furnishings of the Mishkan were discussed (the Ark, table, Menorah, outer Altar) whereas the inner, golden Altar was not included, and only introduced at the end of this Parsha, after discussing the clothes of the Kohen.

The Sforno explains this seemingly discrepancy by noting the unique role played by the golden, inner Altar as opposed to the outer Altar where the animal sacrifices where brought. The goal and purpose of the animal sacrifices was twofold: to bring about the dwelling of HaShem in the Mishkan and to bright down His glory so that He meet with the Jews.

Whereas the golden Altar is only used for incense with the sole purpose of honoring HaShem. Thus, the section about the golden Altar was separated from the other furnishings. As stated in the Tanchuma the incense offering does not come to expiate sin or transgression or guilt. It only comes to bring simchah (joy and happiness).

Heart of the Jews

שמות כח, ל: וְנָשָׂא אַהֲרֹן אֶת־מִשְׁפַּט בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל עַל־לִבּוֹ לִפְנֵי ה' תָּמִיד

The Sforno explains that this verse means that the High Priest must pray for the People of Israel so that they may merit to have honest judgment. The commentaries deduce from the language of the Sforno, that, in order to pray properly for the People of Israel, the High Priest has to carry the needs and pains of the People of Israel on his heart at all times.