Introduction: In Parshas Teitzvah the Torah discussion the clothing of the Kohen Gadol and the regular Kohenim. All of these garments, their exact sizes and specifications are described in such amazing detail. While we could look at any of the 8 garments and discuss them, tonight we will take a look at just one. The Avneit, the belt of the Kohen. This may seem like one of the least interesting garments to discuss. What is so special about a belt? Most of us wear one every day, so what's all the fuss about? If we take a look at the Pasukim and Chazal, we may find this garment is anything but ordinary. Let's take a look:
(ד) וְאֵ֨לֶּה הַבְּגָדִ֜ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר יַעֲשׂ֗וּ חֹ֤שֶׁן וְאֵפוֹד֙ וּמְעִ֔יל וּכְתֹ֥נֶת תַּשְׁבֵּ֖ץ מִצְנֶ֣פֶת וְאַבְנֵ֑ט וְעָשׂ֨וּ בִגְדֵי־קֹ֜דֶשׁ לְאַהֲרֹ֥ן אָחִ֛יךָ וּלְבָנָ֖יו לְכַהֲנוֹ־לִֽי׃
(4) These are the vestments they are to make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a fringed tunic, a headdress, and a sash. They shall make those sacral vestments for your brother Aaron and his sons, for priestly service to Me;
Discussion Questions:
(1) How many pieces of clothing are listed above?
(2) Where is the belt placed on this list?
(3) Does it being at the end of the list mean it is less important?
If we take a look at Parshas Pekudei we see the materials used to make the belt.
(כט) וְֽאֶת־הָאַבְנֵ֞ט שֵׁ֣שׁ מׇשְׁזָ֗ר וּתְכֵ֧לֶת וְאַרְגָּמָ֛ן וְתוֹלַ֥עַת שָׁנִ֖י מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה רֹקֵ֑ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־מֹשֶֽׁה׃ {ס}
(29) and sashes of fine twisted linen, blue wool, purple wool, and crimson yarns, done in embroidery—as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Discussion Questions:
(1) What materials are used to make the belt?
(2) What is special about the two types of materials used?
(3) Where else in the Torah do we here about linen and wool?
(יט) אֶֽת־חֻקֹּתַי֮ תִּשְׁמֹ֒רוּ֒ בְּהֶמְתְּךָ֙ לֹא־תַרְבִּ֣יעַ כִּלְאַ֔יִם שָׂדְךָ֖ לֹא־תִזְרַ֣ע כִּלְאָ֑יִם וּבֶ֤גֶד כִּלְאַ֙יִם֙ שַֽׁעַטְנֵ֔ז לֹ֥א יַעֲלֶ֖ה עָלֶֽיךָ׃
(19) You shall observe My laws.
You shall not let your cattle mate with a different kind; you shall not sow your field with two kinds of seed; you shall not put on cloth from a mixture of two kinds of material.
(יא) לֹ֤א תִלְבַּשׁ֙ שַֽׁעַטְנֵ֔ז צֶ֥מֶר וּפִשְׁתִּ֖ים יַחְדָּֽו׃ {ס}
(11) You shall not wear cloth combining wool and linen.
Discussion Questions:
(1) We see from the Pasukim above that one is not allowed to where Shatnez, a mixture of wool and linen. Why is the Kohen allowed to where this clothing?
(2) Does the fact that a Kohen can wear this clothing tell us anything about Shatnez?
The Sefer HaChinuch discusses the possible reasons for the Asur to where Shatnez:
(ב) רמז משרשי המצוה. כתבתי בסדר משפטים בענין מכשפה לא תחיה (מצוה סב). והרמב''ם זכרונו לברכה כתב (בסהמ''צ ל''ת מב ובמורה נבוכים ח''ג פל''ז) בטעם האסור, לפי שהיו כומרי עבודה זרה לובשין בזמן ההוא כן, והוא כתב עוד כי היום עדין מפרסם הדבר אצל כומרים שיש במצרים.
(2) I wrote a hint about the roots of the commandment in the Order of Mishpatim about the matter of "do not keep a witch alive" (Sefer HaChinukh 62). And Rambam, may his memory be blessed, wrote about the explanation of the prohibition (in Sefer HaMitzvot LaRambam, Mitzvot Lo Taase 42 and in Guide for the Perplexed 3:37), [that] it is because the priests of idolatry would dress like this at that time. And he wrote further that this matter is still known with the priests that are in Egypt.
Discussion Questions:
(1) How does the source about explain the reason for the Asur of Shatnez?
(2) What is another possible explanation for the Asur?
Conclusion: We have seen above that the belt of the Kohen contained Shatnez, the forbidden mixture of wool and linen. The Sefer HaChinuch explained that the prohibition of Shatnez relates to how the priest of idol worship used to dress. We don't want to dress like them, so we avoid wearing Shatnez.
We may want to suggest a different reason. We don't wear Shatnez to avoid being like idol worshippers; rather, we don't wear Shatnez because the Kohenim wore Shatnez in service of Hashem. This clothing is special, so special that regular people like you and me are not allowed to wear it. Only the Kohenim, those who served Hashem in His home, the Mishkan/Beis Hamikdash are allowed to wear it.
The belt of the Kohen signifies their special status at the priests of Hashem. Their clothing reflects this special status, that is why we cannot dress like them.
The belt, the seemingly least interesting garment of the Kohen may in fact be their most defining one!