You're Never Fully Dressed Without Your Smile

Leann Shamash
1 hour ago
5 min read

#tetzaveh #parshattetzaveh #sefershemot #shemot #exodus #kohanim #highpriest #clothing #clothingandidentity #smile #yourneverfullydressedwithoutasmile #brimfieldfair

This week's parsha, Teztaveh, is a continuation of the involved shopping list and directions for artists and artisans to create the Mishkan. Last week, in Parshat Terumah, we spoke about the space of the Mishkan. This week we encounter the details for how the Kohanim will dress.

"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;" Exodus 28:4

The list of items needed to create these outfits include items such as gold, blue and crimson yarns, fine stones, frames of gold, chains and rings and cords of gold, golden bells, an armored breastplate, lots of linen for turbans and breeches and fine blue cloth for a cloak.

When finally these items are procured, lovingly prepared and the Kohanim are trained and dressed they will commence with the sacrifice.

What I wondered about this week was not the fine details or sumptuous materials, but the face of the Kohanim when they were dressed in Bigdei Kehuna, the priestly garments. How did their faces and their attitudes go along with their fine clothing? Of course, the nature of the seriousness of the work demands a solemn face, or does it call for a joyous face?

Veering a little from Tetzaveh, a few months ago I went to see the play Annie and in the stage production we experienced (smiling the entire time) the classic tune, "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile." What an interesting concept. If clothing is the subject of the week and we extend that idea to ourselves or to those who dress a part, what part does a smile play in our appearance? We concentrate on our appearance when we attend an event. We wear nice clothing, we do our hair, put on the jewels, apply the makeup and sometimes we even practice our smiles in front of the mirror. The colors, fabrics and design may reveal our clothing choices, but it is the expressions on our face that are the true revealer of who we are. It is very true that a smile is not always called for, but barring those events that call for a serious nature or great sadness, it is the smile that is the final step of preparing to go out into the world. A genuine smile that is sourced from deep within.

Here are two texts that seem relevant to that final step, putting on our smile:

שאם נתן אדם לחבירו כל מתנות טובות שבעולם ופניו (זעומות) [כבושים] בארץ מעלה עליו הכתוב כאילו לא נתן לו כלום אבל המקבל את חבירו בסבר פנים יפות אפי' לא נתן לו כלום מעלה עליו הכתוב כאילו נתן לו כל מתנות טובות שבעולם:

Greet everyone with a smile. How so? This teaches that if a person gives his friend all the finest gifts in the world, but does so with a pained face, Scripture considers it as if he had given him nothing. But one who receives his friend with a smile, even if he gives him nothing, Scripture considers it as if he had given him all the finest gifts in the world. https://www.sefaria.org/Avot_DeRabbi_Natan.13.4

פְּשָׁטֵיהּ דִּקְרָא בְּמַאי כְּתִיב? כִּי אֲתָא רַב דִּימִי, אָמַר: אָמְרָה כְּנֶסֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, רְמוֹז [לִי] בְּעֵינָיךְ דִּבְסִים מֵחַמְרָא, וְאַחְוִי לִי שִׁינָּיךְ דִּבְסִים מֵחֲלָבָא.

The Gemara asks: To what does the plain meaning of the aforementioned verse refer? When Rav Dimi came from Eretz Yisrael to Babylonia, he said: The congregation of Israel said before the Holy One, Blessed be He: Master of the Universe: Hint with Your eyes a love that is sweeter than wine, and show me Your teeth through a smile that is sweeter than milk. https://www.sefaria.org/Ketubot.111b.18

In closing, a suggestion for this week. Take a look in your closet and a deep look at what is in it. Be grateful for the clothing that you own and and take a moment to identify an article of clothing that elevates you in some way. Perhaps this is the week to donate some clothing?

Shabbat Shalom to you,

Leann