Wear We Must Stand

When we read in this week’s portion of Tetzaveh,  עַל־שְׁמֹ֧ת בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל of the Names of the Children of Israel to be “worn”, more publicized by the High Priest, we tragically are plunged into the more immediate and pressing connotations of those images. Names and pictures of our loved ones, urging us to Bring Them Home Now. But as is inevitably always the case, there is more. In highlighting the purpose of wearing of the breastplate, the Torah elucidates, 28:29;

וְנָשָׂ֣א אַ֠הֲרֹ֠ן אֶת־שְׁמ֨וֹת בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל בְּחֹ֧שֶׁן הַמִּשְׁפָּ֛ט עַל־לִבּ֖וֹ בְּבֹא֣וֹ אֶל־הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ לְזִכָּרֹ֥ן לִפְנֵֽי־יְהֹוָ֖ה תָּמִֽיד׃

Aaron shall carry the names of the children of Israel on the breastpiece of decision over his heart, when he enters the sanctuary, for remembrance before God at all times.

It appears that Aaron bearing or wearing the names through whom ALL of the children of Israel are evoked is charged with the task and duty to constantly have them in mind. He is in service to them, more than to God. This is surely the intention of this directive and or consequence to constantly remember them. There is ambiguity in who is being called on to remember. From the text it is plausible to discern that it is the leader, Aaron. Yet Sforno the Italian Biblical commentator submits it is in fact, “In order for God to always remember the merits of the founding tribal parents of the Jewish people and to therefore treat their offspring favorably when remembering their founders.”

The terminology used is curious if not crucially telling, וְנָשָׂ֣א אַ֠הֲרֹ֠ן אֶת־שְׁמ֨וֹת בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל, the term ‘Venaso’ evokes another essential endeavor of Aaron that of  (Vayikra 9:22 …

וַיִּשָּׂ֨א אַהֲרֹ֧ן אֶת־יָדָ֛ו אֶל־הָעָ֖ם וַֽיְבָרְכֵ֑ם

Aaron lifting  his hands toward the people and blessed them. In the spirit of Sforno’s alternative understanding it may also elicit, Shemot 19:4 וָאֶשָּׂ֤א אֶתְכֶם֙ עַל־כַּנְפֵ֣י נְשָׁרִ֔ים וָאָבִ֥א אֶתְכֶ֖ם אֵלָֽי׃  God’s merciful act of carrying, rescuing us on eagles’ wings to bring you to Me, to bring us Home…

An additional piercing connotation of Venasa is through the utterance perhaps more the entreaty  לשאת בתוצאות to bear the consequences. Leadership that is subservient to the enormity of the task and yes takes responsibility for their failings. These insights also bring to mind the staggering song of Ishay Ribo, Keter Melucha, written during the period of Covid in April of 2020. In it he ingeniously recounts the times we were living through by delineating the names of the portions of the Torah. For this and next week he famously asks;

בין תצווה לכי תישא

אסתר פורים משתה שמחה

מי יחנה ומי יסע

ומי ישא בתוצאה

Between the portions Tetzaveh and Ki Sisa, 

Esther, Purim, drinks, and joy,

Who will stay and who will travel

And who will pay the consequences…?

The holy task of wearing and bearing the names, has expanded far beyond the High Priest, we too are summoned  to remember and act as may well be the case for God too. Please let that happen #NOW.