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Orchard of Delights Mishpatim
and the following statement contains six Hebrew words and twenty- the words “these are,” a clean break with whatever immediately
four Hebrew letters: in total, twelve words and forty-nine letters. preceded them is implied; however, when a portion begins with the
The High Priest’s shoulder stones – with the names of the six tribes words “and these are,” a connection with whatever immediately
containing twenty-five letters on one shoulder and the names of the preceded them is implied. In this case Rashi points out that just as the
other six tribes containing twenty-four letters on the other – are also preceding portion (Yitro) was given at Sinai so too all these laws were
comprised of twelve words and forty-nine letters! given at Sinai. Additionally, linking this portion to the last subject
This connection provides us with an inspiring devotional message discussed in the previous portion, he mentions that the Sanhedrin,
to think about when reciting the daily Shema. When we say “Hear the highest court in the Land, the place of judgment, will be housed
O Israel,” we can easily imagine that just as the High Priest carried adjacent to the Temple because the previous portion concludes with
the responsibility for the entire nation of Israel in his heart and the laws of the altar that would be built in the Temple, while this
on his shoulders, we too can merit having this very same privilege portion begins with the laws of judgment.
and responsibility. The Arizal would proclaim each day before his On a deeper sod level we can connect the Zohar’s statement
prayers that he was taking upon himself the mitzvah of loving each regarding the secret of reincarnation present in this portion with
and every Jew. His prayer then became dedicated to the collective Rashi’s comment on the importance of teaching the Torah’s inner
totality of Israel, as was the High Priest’s Temple service. dimensions and his explanation of the linkage created by the opening
phrase, “and these are.” Reincarnation connects one life to another
This concept not only instills in us the importance of our prayers
but also our fundamental purpose in life – to partner with God in and the phrase “and these are” connects one portion to another,
rectifying the world. This is an awesome responsibility, but it is the creating a continuum where loose ends, unfinished business, and
Jewish people’s mission, both as individuals and as a nation to carry rectifications from previous lifetimes have the opportunity to work
it out. themselves out in a new lifetime. Realizing this profound message
is truly reaching an understanding of the Torah’s inner dimensions.
(For more on the Jewish perspective on reincarnation, see Return
Again: The Dynamics of Reincarnation).
£The Holy Garments: £The Holy Garments: The Holy Garments:
£
A Message of OnenessA Message of OnenessA Message of Oneness
The notion of unity expressed in the joining of the curtains “so that
the Tabernacle shall become one” (Exodus 26:6) and in the Shema
and the High Priest’s shoulder stones is also highlighted by the
number of different garments worn by the cohanim (see the previous
section). All the cohanim wore four garments when performing the
Temple service, while the High Priest wore eight. The only exception
was when Moses served as High Priest for seven days during the
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