Connecting the Ends

It shall have two shoulder pieces joined to the two (el shnei) ends thereof, that it may be joined together.                           Exodus 28:7

Thus the Torah describes the ephod, the apron-like garment worn by the High Priest, to which the breastplate was attached.

My father suggested that the wording of the verse symbolically teaches a lesson as far as the function of the High Priest: he must connect the “ends” of the Nation of Israel, even those who have strayed from the traditions of Israel.

Indeed, our Sages have taught us that the outstanding characteristic of Aaron, the first High Priest was his pursuit of peace with all Israelites.

Without explaining the connection between the verses, Ba’al haTurim quotes two other verses in which the phrase “el shnei,” as in our verse, appears. The first concerns the sons of Eli the High Priest, and the second pertains to Na’aman, the commander of the army of Aram:

And this shall be the sign unto thee, that which shall come upon (el shnei) your two sons, on Ḥophni and Phineḥas: in one day they shall die both of them.                                                                   I Samuel 2:34

And Naaman said: ‘Be content, take two talents.’ And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of raiment, and laid them upon two (el shnei)of his servants; and they bore them before him.                                           II Kings 5:23

Ba’al haTurim notes the contrast between the sons of Eli and Na’aman: Eli’s sons abused the priesthood, for which they incurred the death penalty, while Na’aman respected Divine service, as evidenced by his commitment to offer his sacrifices only to God. [ibid. v.17]

My father’s explanation conveys the connection: the sons of Eli failed in the job of the priesthood, by distancing the people rather than drawing them together, while Na’aman was indeed brought close to God.