Expert: Messianic Rabbi Yochanan Levine - 4/7/2009

Question
I would like to know if the High Priest had to wear bells around his waste and ankles along with the one around his robe?

Answer
Hi,

I am not familiar with specific requirements for the priest to wear bells other than those on the hem of the garments but this is not an area of my expertise. the author of this site could probably give you more specifics on this:

http://www.partnersintorah.org/parsha/tetzaveh.htm
Parsha Perspectives By Ozer Alport

Parsha Perspectives By Ozer Alport

(והיה על אהרן לשרת ונשמע קולו בבאו אל הקדש לפני ד' ובצאתו ולא ימות (28:35

“It (the robe, with bells along its hem) must be on Aaron to minister. Its sound shall be heard when he enters the Sanctuary before Hashem and when he leaves, so that he not die.”

The Gemora in Pesachim (112a) relates that Rabbi Akiva gave seven commands to his son Rabbi Yehoshua. One of them was that he shouldn’t enter his house suddenly and unexpectedly. In his commentary on the Gemora, the Rashbam (1085-1174) quotes a Medrash which relates that whenever he approached his home, Rabbi Yochanan would intentionally make noise so as to alert anybody who may be inside of his imminent arrival.

Rabbi Yochanan explained his actions based on our verse, which states that the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) must have bells on the hem of his Me’il (Robe) so that the sound announcing his entrance should be heard whenever he entered Hashem’s Sanctuary.

Rabbi Shmaryahu Arieli questions how an individual person, even one as great as Rabbi Yochanan or Rabbi Akiva, could derive guidelines for proper conduct from the Torah’s rules for the Kohen Gadol, who was subject to special stringencies due to the sanctity of the Temple in which he served.

Rabbi Arieli quotes the Gemora in Sotah (17a), which teaches that if a husband and wife dwell together in peace and harmony, the Shechina (Divine Presence) will rest between them and fill their house with an atmosphere of Holiness. The house becomes a mikdash me’at, a miniature sanctuary, and appropriate behavior is required.

A modern-day example of such behavior can be found in a beautiful story involving Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (1910-1995). Somebody was once discussing an important issue with Rabbi Auerbach on his way home. As they walked through the streets of Jerusalem, Rabbi Auerbach suddenly paused and began straightening and cleaning his clothes.

As his clothing didn’t appear disheveled to begin with, the man inquired as to the cause of the Rabbi’s actions. The saintly Rabbi replied that he had been blessed for decades to live in peace and tranquility with his wonderful, loving wife, and they were therefore fortunate to feel Hashem as a regular presence in their home. As they were turning the block to approach his house, he felt compelled to ensure that his appearance would be appropriate for greeting the Divine Presence.

When Rav Auerbach’s wife, Rebbetzin Chaya Rivkah, passed away, the normally humble Rabbi announced, “Although it is customary to ask forgiveness from the deceased,I have no need to do so. I can say with confidence that in almost 54 years of marriage, I never once upset or hurt her in any way.”

Although marriage brings its daily challenges for even the most compatible of spouses, we can begin to overcome these challenges by viewing our efforts to keep the peace as bringing the Divine presence into our homes. return to top
Ozer Alpert can be reached at ozer@partnersintorah.org