In this week's Parsha, parshat tetzaveh, it talks about all the different clothing that kohanim and the kohen gadol must wear. One of the items that a kohen gadol must see is bells on the me'il. Why we're the bells attatched to the hems of the me'il?
The midrash gives many answers to this question. One is that perhaps, since the kohen gadol was so holy, upon entering the kodesh section of the mishkan the bells would ring, which was a a sign for all the angels who dwelled in the kodesh to fly away. Hashem wanted them to leave because some of these angels were angels of din, criticism, who would attempt to point out even the slightest errors of the kohen gadol. Hashem did not want such a holy man to be treated with disrespect, so He made sure that the angels would leave as soon as the kohen gadol entered. What other purposes could there be to the bells?
According to a midrash, the reason why the Cohen had bells attached to his garment was because bells were a source of music. Generally music is known to put people in a good mood and a happy mood. Hashem wanted everyone who could hear the ma-eal and the cohen himself to be uplifted when they heard the bells. The cohen should be excited and happy to do the mitzvoth.
ReplyDeleteAccording to chabad.org the kohen kadol had bells attached to him is because his sound should be heard when he enters into a holy place before hashem.
ReplyDeleteAccording to Ramban, the bells purpose were to announce the kohen gadol’s presence before entering Hashem’s "home." Similarly, Rav Akiva told his son, “Don’t enter your home without knocking, all the more so the house of your neighbor.” Meaning, when you walk into a home, you shouldn't walk in unannounced out of Kavod.
ReplyDeleteChezkuni says that when bnei yisroel would hear the sounds of the bells ringing, they would be able to stop and capture that special moment. He says that this idea is seen throughout judaism- that we are supposed to use physical experiences and derive spiritual meaning from them. I think this is a nice idea but i feel as though something is lacking from it, maybe that the point could use some more explaining/be elaborated upon
ReplyDeleteRabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky on Torah.org quotes the idea that the kohen gadol wears bells on his me'il so that people would know when he was entering. He furthers this idea by teaching a lesson. He says that we can learn from this that even when we try to become more spiritual we have to still remember common courtesy. The kohen gadol, when entering the belt hamikdash "knocks" as common courtesy while reaching higher spiritual levels.
ReplyDeleteTallei Orot comments on this saying that the bells would ring upon the Cohen Gadols entrance to the Beit Hamikdash. Just like you must ask permission to a king before entering his palace, this was a way for the Cohen gadol to ask permission from Hashem upon entering the beit hamikdash.The tiferet shimshon adds that the bells were also to make sure he was worthy and holy enough to do his spiritual work.
ReplyDeleteIbn Ezra gives explains that the bells, and the other garments are designed to distinguish the Kohen Gadol from the other Kohanim. The unique appearance and sound of the bells separates the Kohen Gadol from the regular Kohanim and clearly differentiates the prayer of the Kohen Gadol.
ReplyDeletethe ramban says that the purpose for the bells is for the kohen to announce he is walking into a room so people give him kavod and we learn from this that whenever someone at a higher position as us such as a principle we should stand and give them the kavod they deserve
ReplyDeleteIt's possible that the bells attatched to the hems of the meil are there for the same reason as why the men wear Tzitzit. Tzizit is there to remind men of their religious obligation and so too when the kohen gadol goes into the beit hamikdash the bells rin, just as the tizizit moves, it reminds them to not get distracted by hashems awe and greatness but to remember the nation they represent and the job they must do. The bells represent the sound of faith the nations have and when they ring, the kohanim should remember beni Israel and not just focus of the awe of hashem. We learnt in class that tzadikim are at a higher level and everything they do is a teaching moment for beni Israel and a learning experience. Bells are a stronger form of tizizt in this way. Both remind it's owner that they should remember their obligations and not get distracted. Since men wear tizizt to remind them of their religious obligations is it possible and they got the idea and location from the bells the kohen gadol used to wear? I believe we only know what we are taught and since what we learned in class was the tzadikim are at a higher level and beni look to them for experience and a closer connection with god, the idea/ or concept of tzizit came from the bells of the kohen gadol.
ReplyDeleteIt says in a Midrash that the reason the Cohen had bells attached to the bottom of his clothing was because bells made music, music puts people in a good mood, and Hashem wanted everyone who could hear the bells to be happy and uplifted
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ReplyDeleteAccording to Rav Feuer, the bells teach us to be aware of our greatness and at the same time to remain humble and respect others. I think that is an important idea since it is so important to be proud of yourself and your accomplishments but not to get caught up in an ego.
ReplyDeleteA source says that a reason for the bell is that since people aren't able to go in the Brit hamikdash on the avodah of Yom Kippur it was their so that if the people in the court yard heard the bell they would know he had died.
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