04 Mar PARASHAT TETZAVEH: EARNING RESPECT

In Parashat Tetzaveh,
the Torah elaborates
at great length on the
topic of the bigdeh
kehuna, the special
garments worn by the kohanim. Every
kohen was to wear four special garments,
and the kohen gadol wore an additional
four garments.
The Torah takes these garments very, very
seriously. If a kohen performs the service
in the Bet Ha’mikdash and is missing even
one of the required garments, he is liable to
death at the hands of G-d.
The Sefer Ha’hinuch explains the reason
why the Torah was so strict in demanding
that kohanim wear these special garments.
Wearing this clothing, the Sefer Ha’hinuch
writes, reminds the kohen of his unique
status, of his distinguished position as a
servant of Hashem in the Bet Ha’mikdash.
There will be days when a kohen is not so
focused, when he feels unmotivated, when
he is simply “not in the mood” to do the
work that he is required to do. When he puts

on these special garments, this has an effect
on his mentality. It makes him mindful
of his importance, of the significance of
his role, of the great responsibility that he
bears.
Underlying these comments of the Sefer
Ha’hinuch is a general principle that our
mindset is impacted by our actions. If
we’re not in the mood to do something, the
best solution is to get started, to take the
first steps. If we feel incapable of change,
if we feel stuck, the best advice is to take
action, to make one small change. Even if
we don’t feel connected to Hashem, and we
feel unmotivated to perform the mitzvot,
we should try to do something, to say
one prayer, to attend one class, to do one
mitzvah, and this will have the effect of
slowly changing our mood and attitude.
The concept of the bigdeh kehuna is directly
relevant to each and every one of us in
another way, as well. The Gemara teaches
that Rabbi Yohanan would refer to his
clothing as “that which gives me dignity.”
A person’s clothing gives him his respect

and dignity. When we wear an old, worn-
out t-shirt and walk around in our slippers,

we do not take ourselves as seriously as
we do when we’re dressed in fine, formal
attire. Like the kohanim, we all have a job
to do. We all have to serve Hashem, each
person in his or her own capacity. And like
the kohanim, we need to dress in a manner
that suits our job. If we dress respectably,
we are far more likely to take ourselves
seriously, be mindful of our importance and
worth, and do our job to the very best of
our ability. Indeed, studies have shown that
employers place a great deal of importance
on a job candidate’s dress and appearance
during the hiring process. A person who
dresses in a respectable manner is more
likely to do his or her job well.
This message is important also for another
reason.
Many people feel that they do not receive
respect from the people around them – from
their spouse, from their children, from their
peers, etc. The most important thing we
can do to earn respect is to carry ourselves

with respect and dignity. Children are
unlikely to respect a parent who slouches,

who walks around the house in old, worn-
out clothes, and who does not speak in a

dignified manner. When we carry ourselves
with dignity, this will enhance our own
sense of self-worth, and will, in turn,
invite the respect of other people. Instead
of complaining that we do not receive
respect, we need simply to begin respecting
ourselves – and this begins with dressing,
speaking and acting in a dignified manner.
If we conduct ourselves respectfully, we
will respect ourselves – and we will then be
respected by other people, too.