Do you know why we dress the Torah the way we do? Ever looked closely at the decorative clothing and wondered about the story behind it?
When I take classes or groups to see the Torah, they’re always so fascinated by the scroll itself: the materials it’s made of, the handwriting, the lack of vowels. And while, yes, the scroll is indeed fascinating, I always try to point out how the scroll isn’t the only fascinating part of the Torah. Just as we put intention into the scroll, how we dress the scroll, how we store the scroll, and how we create rituals around the scroll, all add extra meaning to the Torah, the chain of Jewish knowledge that begins with creation and continues through today.
The scroll is dressed in four basic pieces: the rimonim (crowns), the breastplate, the cover, and the wimpel (belt). Every community has these pieces with different art that reflect the identity and taste of the community. None of the pieces are halachically (Rabbinic law) required. And yet, most of the time, you’ll see a Torah covered in some version of these items.
So if it’s not by mitzvah (commandment) or halacha, where did the Jewish people take their inspiration for the Torah coverings?
This week in parashat Tetzaveh, we get a very detailed rundown of the priestly uniform: the ephod, the breastplate, the robe, the hat. Each piece had its own unique significance and purpose, whether to use symbols of the Israelite tribes, or to provide awareness for the people when they heard the bells jingling with every step the priest took.
The priestly breastplate, for example, was decked out with twelve gemstones, each representing one of the tribes of Israel. It became a visual reminder of the unity of the people as they wandered the wilderness. Now, think about the breastplate of the Torah. We often see it adorned with beautiful etchings or sculptures, sometimes with the 12 tribes, sometimes with phrases or metaphors for Torah (think: Eitz Chayim Hi/It is a Tree of Life). We have borrowed the breastplate from the priests and put it on the Torah, showcasing importance, beauty, and our connection to each other.
The same goes for the tunic, belt, and hat worn by the priest. Each one has its parallel on our Torahs today, transitioning from a human intermediary of our people’s relationship with the diving (a priest) to direct access through Torah, the object that contains our origin story.
Each of these objects is present on the Torah not simply because we believe in hiddur mitzvah (beautifying the commandments) but because they connect us to the source of the mitzvot, the source of our connection with God, the source of our connection with our community. This week, when we read of the priestly garments in Tetzaveh, we know that they are not just ancient fashion talk. It’s a reminder of the importance of clothing, of dressing things up to show their value and significance. And in our case, it’s about honoring the Torah – our most precious treasure – by dressing it up, treating it with the respect it deserves, and reminding ourselves of the continuity of our tradition.
Next time you see a Torah scroll all dressed up in its finery, learn the words and the messages that are captured within the scroll. But don’t forget to take in the whole Torah, what’s on the inside and what’s on the outside. Everything we do in Judaism is imbued with meaning. When you, too, know the story behind even a simple piece of cloth that meaning can reach new depths in each of us.
Shabbat shalom.