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 28:3
The
switch from singular in verse 2 to plural in verse 3 continues the lesson of
verse 1. 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 kohain cannot fully achieve sanctity without the
nation’s assistance.
It
is to be noted that wisdom resides in the head, not in the heart.
My
father explained that the Torah teaches a valuable lesson in the application of
wisdom. Wisdom which is not filtered through the heart can bring destruction.
In order to create sanctity, a wise person must think not only with his
brain but with his heart as well.
Ba’al
haTurim notes that the gematriya
of the phrase ḥachmei lev asher, from our verse, equals
that of yir’at (awe of) and refers to one in awe of heaven, as the verse
in Psalms states: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” [110:11]
Netziv (19th century), without
quoting Ba’al haTurim also comments
that ḥachmei lev refers to awe of heaven.
According
to these commentaries, the Torah teaches us as well that it is wisdom which is
tempered by awe of heaven which brings true blessing to the world.
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