Parshas Tetzaveh: Speech Muscles (5760)

Parshas Tetzaveh: Speech Muscles (5760)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

The silence of the Azara is broken by the sound of bells from the hem of the Me’il (robe) of the Kohen Gadol. The Chazal tell us (Zevachim 88) that these bells were an atonement for Lashon HaRah. Sound for sound, let the sound of the bells atone for the sound of Lashon HaRah. This is very puzzling. Also baffling is the connection between the bells and the pomegranates which were likewise located on the hem of the Me’il.

I would like to offer a probable explanation, and to understand it properly one must draw from the depths of the very core of our Torah observance. For the fulfillment of any Mitzvah we must first be aware of the commandment. Secondly, we must be properly motivated. Both of these factors have many subdivisions. For example, the level of our belief in “Torah Min HaShamayim”, and the level of our “Yiras Shamayim”. There is a third factor of extreme importance that is very much overlooked and not understood or appreciated. This is the development of self-control, specifically pertaining to the parts of the body involved in the various Mitzvos. This comes about by self-imposed boundaries, setting limitations on our physical actions. This is a type of sophisticated control and of using our nervous system to develop habits in a positive way.

For ages our conscientious brethren developed the habit of rising from bed early, quickly, and with enthusiasm. Our spiritual giants developed the habit of doing everything with ‘zerizus’, enthusiastic speed. They trained their mouths to smile and trained their hands not to be lifted in anger. Conscientious ‘Yidden’ habitually kept their eyes within the 4 amos range. The famous tzaddik R’ Elya Lopian ztz’l in his later years was blind in one eye and his other eye was weak. Once, on his way to a doctor’s appointment, he was anxiously waiting for a bus, as he did not want to arrive late. He looked up the street to see if the bus was coming, and reprimanded on himself very strongly for giving in to his natural curiosity; looking up for no practical purpose.

If a person allows himself the liberty of talking without any discretion, even without verbalizing anything negative, he will be missing sufficient strength, the self-control muscles necessary when there is a test of indulging in Lashon Harah. There was no control on the bells of the Kohen Gadol that hung loosely on his Me’il. It was an involuntary, uncontrolled noise made as he walked about. This possibly is the significance of the atonement the bells bring for Lashon Harah. The uncontrolled sound atones for the uncontrolled sound. Now we can understand the connection of the bells to the pomegranates on the Me’il. Amazingly, the Gemara (Zevachim 88) specifies: “Rimonim Shelo Paschu Pihem”, pomegranates whose mouths were not yet opened (if they remain on the tree longer they open up as a mouth), which is exactly the point of the message of the bells. We can also see this important concept in what the Chazal explain the significance is of the two birds the Metzorah brings in his purification process. The birds are likewise an atonement for the sin of Lashon Harah and they remark: “Asa Maaseh Patit Yavi Korban Patit”—the act of his sin came about through uncontrolled, meaningless talk, and his atonement is through the sacrifice of birds that also chatter in a seemingly uncontrolled manner. And Rashi adds: “Kol Sha’ah”—constantly.

What a powerful lesson for today! If there is a slight lull in conversation people feel uncomfortable, they have a “just keep it going” mentality. The point is to develop speech muscles, self-control over our power of speech by refraining or at least limiting our indulgence in meaningless chatter that is without any positive purpose.