And
you bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among
the Children of Israel... And you (singular)
shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for splendor and for beauty.
And you shall speak to all that are
wise-hearted, whom I filled with the spirit of
wisdom that they make Aaron’s garments to sanctify him
... Exodus 28:1-3
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My
father commented that the phrase “from among the Children of Israel” teaches
that the sanctity of the priesthood derives from the sanctity of Israel. The Cohanim
must appreciate that they serve God and His people, and that their sanctity is
not personal, but endowed through the nation.
The switch from singular in verse two to plural in
verse three continues the lesson of verse one. For Aaron’s garments to be “for
splendor and beauty” it is sufficient that they be individual, but for them to
sanctify him, it is necessary that “they make” the garments. The Cohain
cannot fully achieve sanctity without the nation’s assistance.
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