Noisy Pomegranates

The Emmy’s have passed and the Oscars are coming up. Once again everybody is preoccupied with the clothing that the actresses and actors (ok not the actors) are wearing as they walk the red carpet.

Long ago, Hashem instructed the Jewish People to build the portable temple that accompanied them in the desert. At that time He also instructed the Priests, the Kohanim to have an exclusive wardrobe to wear during their service.

Among the garments was a long apron that had at the end of it golden pomegranates. Next to these pomegranates were little clappers. And so, when the Kohen entered into the Holy to perform the service the clanging was heard by all.

The verse states, “and his sound (ie. the sound of the pomegranates) will be heard as he enters into the holy before Hashem”.

On Yom Kippur however when the High Priest entered into the Holy of Holies, he did not wear these noisy garments but something much more understated, garments of white.

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When someone is professing their commitment, working on their character, trying to reconnect, it can be a noisy endeavor.

However, when one is in a moment of intense connection, in a transcendent state, in a blissful moment, all is quiet and silent.

Throughout the year when the Kohen entered, he entered to bring about forgiveness for those that were on their journey of return. And thus because he is representing a noisy journey he was required to wear noisy garments.

On Yom Kippur when it is a day of at-one-ment, the holiness of the day brings about atonement because we are at one with Hashem, all is silent, all is quiet. And thus the Kohen Gadol was representing the essential connection that each Jew has with G-d and so his garments were quiet and silent.

So what’s in your wardrobe? Where is your journey at?