Sanctifying the Mouth

Sanctifying the Mouth

The pasuk ends by saying that the me’il “should not be torn.” This can be seen as a hint that one must be exceptionally careful with his words.

The Shlah Hakadosh (Derech Chaim Tochachos Mussar) quotes Rav Menachem Habavli as saying that the reason a kohen is required to make a “border” around his mouth that may not be torn is because a person who performs Avodah on behalf of Klal Yisroel must have a pure mouth.

The Shlah concludes: “And every person who serves Hashem like a kohen, and who provides zechusim for the public, must sanctify his mouth excessively.”