Women in Israel preparing Priestly vestments
Chanukah marks the inauguration of the Beis HaMikdosh, and it turns out that a group of women are preparing seriously to build the Beis HaMikdosh, are taking a course to study the t′chelet and Shani (crimson), and sewing robes and curtains. Einat Ziv of Ofra tells about the special project of the Temple Institute which is gaining momentum. Dozens of Kohanim have had their set ready for use.
Einat Ziv, Ofrah resident, is a nurse at Shaarei Tzedek in Yerushalayim. In her spare time, she engages in a pastime no less interesting – the Beis HaMikdosh and its vessels, on behalf of Machon HaMikdash (′Temple Institute). Ziv, with a group of women, sets up women′s circles in Benyamin, to study about the Beis HaMikdosh, but not only theoretical study. They go back two thousand years in time, and are involved with sewing priestly garments, spinning the priestly garments. They have already made thirty-eight priestly garments kits for Kohanim eagerly awaiting the day when they would again report for the holy avodah.
It all started four years ago during Chanukah, "I met Rabbi Joshua Friedman, who is involved in all the weaving of the paroches and vestments, and he offered me to coordinate a circle of women concentrating on providing tools for making garments and textiles for the Beis HaMikdosh," says Einat Ziv.
"The dream became a reality and today dozens of women are engaged in this project with great energy and expert knowledge in theory and practice. It seems that the women of our generation are endowed with that same wisdom of heart as the women in the time of the Mishkan. We constantly receive requests from women who want to embroider. Right now there are 13 women who embroider and spin the wool of purple and scarlet on the avnetim (sashes) for the Kohanim, the paroches and more.
Halachic experts in the field of the Bigdei Kehuna lay down the laws of how to sew the vestments. The weaving and spinning are done with the blessing of ′make Me a Sanctuary′ and with special "We feel a special sense of redemption in dealing with this. Imagine the feeling sewing the (sash- for a Kohein , what feelings it gives and how much faith and belief. No wonder the Sages say that by virtue of righteous women, we have been redeemed and in their virtue we will be redeemed."
Thirty-eight Kohanim ordered the set of vestments made exactly according to their size. The Kohanim keep the clothes in their homes, and as the Rambam rules, a Kohein whose vestments are not on him, his Kehuna is not on him."
The price of a complete set of the four vestments is – hard to believe- around 3,000 NIS, payable is affordable installments.
"We expect hundreds and thousands of Kohanim to join, and not only will they be called to the Torah for ′Kohein′, but they′ll realize the vision and the hope that imminently, the Beis HaMikdosh will be built, and they will have to be ready to serve and sacrifice the korbanos," says Einat Ziv.
"In the past, we organized a special tour for hundreds of Kohanim to learn and familiarize themselves with the priestly garments and everything about their work. The enthusiasm was tremendous. Doubtless the subject penetrates, and hopefully we will lead the revolution in this field, as well.
In the spirit of Chanukah, which we celebrated but two weeks ago," summarizes Einat Ziv, "Hellenization takes on new and current shapes and forms. Hellenism is when the principles of Torah and Judaism aren′t incorporated, and we hold on to the gentile culture... The w of the Kuzari are before my eyes – a sick heart is an allegory to the Beis HaMikdosh; the whole body is sick. We do not demand the Beis HaMikdosh emphatically enough. It takes its toll on our struggle to save the land of Israel. Our roots are Geulah and the Beis HaMikdosh. In this time, we will soon inaugurate the Third Beis HaMikdosh." |
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