D'var Torah

At the beginning of this week’s parasha, we note that the kohanim, the priests of the ancient wilderness community, wore their special linen clothing even to take out the “garbage!” That is, first thing in the morning, they dressed in their holy garments to take the ashes from the previous day’s sacrifices out of the holy altar. (Lev. 6:3) In these days of working from home and rarely seeing another human being, it may be tempting to stay in our pajamas all day.  But, have you ever noticed that you are more productive and feel better when you take a shower and get dressed in the morning?  We have a greater sense of focus for the tasks of the day when we are dressed for being out in the world, even if we aren’t going anywhere.  It seems that the priests abided by that same principle.  Every task relating to the Mishkan, the Tabernacle in the wilderness, even “dirty work,” was holy work, and so they dressed the part.  As we endure these many weeks isolated in our homes, we may just function better and feel better if we adopt this principle in our lives.  And on Shabbat and for the coming Pesach Seder, why not push it up another notch and pick out something special to honor that sacred time?  It may enhance and sanctify our experience in unexpected ways.