Parashat Tetzaveh 5776, 2016:

The Eternal Message of the Urim and Thumim

The second Beit Hamikdash (Holy Temple) was destroyed over 1900 years ago.
Thereafter, with prophetic insight, Chazal (Our Sages of blessed memory) established the
blessing of Boneh Yerushalayim (Rebuild Jerusalem) in the Shemoneh Esrei (the Silent
Prayer). This enactment had a very direct purpose, namely, to maintain strong and
everlasting feelings in our hearts for the rebuilding of the Holy Temple. This theme is
repeated, as well, in the Birkat Hamazon (Grace after Meals) with the selfsame goal in
mind. In sum, we must never forget the past glory of the Beit Hamikdash in order that we
may long for its imminent rebuilding.

Beyond question, Chazal did their best to keep the anticipation of a soon-to-be rebuilt
Beit Hamikdash alive in the hearts and minds of our people. Yet, even with these daily
reminders, many Jews feel distant from the parshiot in the Torah that deal with the
construction of the Mishkan (the Portable Desert Sanctuary), the specifics of the Bigdei
Kahunah (special garments of the Kohanim), and the extensive details of the Korbanot
(offerings in the Holy Temple). For many, these topics remain closed books that at one
and the same time appear to be distant from their lives and beyond understanding. Indeed,
as early as the 12th century, the Rambam (1135-1204) decried the widespread lack of

attention to the study of the Korbanot, and hence, ignorance of this subject matter, in his
time:
The subject of the Korbanot, because of our ever-growing number of sins, has already
been abandoned. No one even bothers to study their laws except for a very small minority
of people. Moreover, their subject matter is virtually ignored as a topic of study (vain
inyanav nizkarim techufot lifnei haadam) which would have allowed them to be
remembered even though one has already seen them. In addition, no one reviews them
since there is no practical reason to do so. Moreover, no one bothers to ask questions
regarding any aspect of this subject. As a result, the Torah scholar and the ignoramus are
equal in their ignorance of these laws. Then, too, the majority of Torah students know
nothing about the Korbanot even in regards to that which is explicitly stated in the
many verses of the Torah. (Introduction to Tractate Zevachim, translation my own).

In the early part of the last century, the great Torah sage, Rav Yisrael Meir Hakohen,
known as the Chafetz Chaim, (1838-1933) echoed the Rambams words in the
introduction to his work, Torah Ohr:
We see, as a result of our many sins, that the study of this entire Order of the Mishnah
[i.e. Kodashim] is completely ignored. It is nearly impossible to find anyone who studies
it. Even someone who studies it does not view it with any depth (except for one in a
thousand from the most select of the generation). Moreover, even someone who studies
the entire Talmud on a page-by-page basis does not apply himself to the depths of his
cognitive abilities to know the subject matter and halachic decisions with true clarity.
Instead, such an individual is satisfied with a passing knowledge of this material, as if he
were merely reading Parashat Hakorbanot. (Translation my own)

It is clear from the writings of these Torah giants that these laws need to become a focus
of study, and returned to their former glory not by the few, but by all of Klal Yisrael
(the Jewish People).

With the above thoughts in mind, I would like to analyze the Urim and Thumim that were
placed in the Choshen Hamishpat (Decision Breastplate). Our parasha devotes no less
than 15 pasukim (verses) to an intricate and extensive description of the Choshen
Hamishpat (Sefer Shemot 28:15-29). At the conclusion of this passage, the Torah
commands the Kohen Gadol to wear this garment as a permanent remembrance before

G-d: Aaron will thus carry the names of Israel's sons on the Decision Breastplate over
his heart when he comes into the sanctuary. It shall be a constant remembrance before
G-d. (Sefer Shemot 28:29, this and all Torah translations, Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, The
Living Torah) The Urim and Thumim are placed into the Chosen Hamishpat to render
judgment: Place the Urim and Thumim in the Decision Breastplate, and they shall be
over Aaron's heart when he comes before G-d. Aaron will then carry the decision-making
device for the Israelites before G-d at all times. (Ibid., 28:30)

While there are a variety of opinions as to how to understand what the Urim and Thumim
were, two parallel Talmudic passages clarify their purpose:
It was taught in a baraita: Why were they named Urim and Thumim? Urim, [from
the Hebrew ohr, light] because they enlightened the Jewish people. Thumim, because
they helped perfect the path before the Jewish people. This means that when the Jewish
people were perfect and complete (temimin) they would show the Jewish people the
[correct] path [upon which to tread]. (Talmud Yerushalmi, Yoma 7:3, translation my own)
It was taught in a baraita: Why were they named Urim and Thumim? Urim, since
they enlightened their words, Thumim, since they completed [i.e. perfected] their
words. (Talmud Bavli, Yoma 73b, translation my own)

Rabbi Baruch Halevi Epstein (1860-1941), in his trail-blazing Torah commentary, Torah
Temimah, explained these Talmudic portions by noting that a reciprocal relationship
obtained between G-d and the Jewish people pertaining to the accuracy of the
information revealed by the Urim and Thumim. When we acted with wholeheartedness in
our relationship with G-d, the answers we would receive were absolutely true. When we
failed to do so, however, the responses we received from the Urim and Thumim were
incomplete. As such, the Urim and Thumim effectively shaped our behavior:
This means that [the Urim and Thumim] taught the Jewish people to be pure in their
behaviors and ethical characteristics. Absent this quality, the answer that we would
receive from the Urim and Thumim would lack clarity and precision.

Unfortunately, we live at a time in Jewish history that is devoid of the Beit Hamikdash,
Korbanot, Bigdei Kahunah, and all the glory that they entailed. Nonetheless, I believe
that the Urim and Thumim can still serve as our guide, albeit, in their absence. In my
estimation, they continue to teach us a vital message for our time, namely, the obligation
to undertake and perform all mitzvot and maasim tovim (laudatory acts) truly lshame
shamayim with wholehearted intent to serve G-d and bring honor to His name. As
Antignos taught us in Pirkei Avot (Ethics of our Fathers) so long ago:
Antignos the man from Socho was known for saying: Do not be like the servants who
minister to their master on the condition that they will receive a reward. Instead, be like
those servants who serve their master without the expectation of receiving a reward. And
may the awe of Heaven be upon you. (1:3, translation my own)

May Hashem give us the wisdom and spiritual strength to live righteous lives dedicated
to honoring and sanctifying His name through our words and deeds. Moreover, may our
generation witness the coming of the Mashiach (Messiah) and the rebuilding of the Beit
Hamikdash soon and in our days. Vchane yihi ratzon.

Shabbat Shalom
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