TORAH IN A MINUTE
A heart too big...for envy
(Shabbat Tetzaveh)
February 14, 2019
When I see someone I perceive as a peer enjoying success that I do not, I may feel overcome by envy. What can I do-what can anyone do--to rise above such envy?
An answer can be found in the heart of Aaron.
Parashat Tetzaveh details the garments that the first high priest wore. The breastpiece of decision contained twelve stones engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel. The Torah teaches that “Aaron shall carry the names of the children of Israel on the breastpiece of decision over his heart, when he enters the sanctuary…” (Shemot 28:29). A Midrash notes that this is the same heart which rejoiced when Aaron saw that his brother, Moshe, had been chosen by God as a leader: “That heart which is glad for his brother’s greatness shall have those precious stones laid upon it” (Midrash Tanchuma Shemini 3:1; see also Midrash Tanchuma Buber Shemot 24:1).
Aaron’s heart is big enough to celebrate with his younger brother and to bear the burden of the welfare of all of Israel. If we, like Aaron, open our hearts more to love, there will be less space for envy to reside.
The stones shall correspond [in number] to the names of the sons of Israel: twelve, corresponding to their names. They shall be engraved like seals, each with its name, for the twelve tribes.
(29) Aaron shall carry the names of the sons of Israel on the breastpiece of decision over his heart, when he enters the sanctuary, for remembrance before the LORD at all times. (30) Inside the breastpiece of decision you shall place the Urim and Thummim, so that they are over Aaron’s heart when he comes before the LORD. Thus Aaron shall carry the instrument of decision for the Israelites over his heart before the LORD at all times.
...וְרָאָךָ וְשָׂמַח בְּלִבּוֹ (שמות ד, יד). אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחַאי, אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, אוֹתוֹ הַלֵּב הַשָּׂמֵחַ בִּגְדֻלַּת אָחִיו, יִנָּתְנוּ אֲבָנִים טוֹבוֹת עָלָיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְנָשָׂא אַהֲרֹן אֶת שְׁמוֹת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּחֹשֶׁן הַמִּשְׁפָּט עַל לִבּוֹ (שמות כח, כט). ...
...(according to Exod. 4:14), "when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.” R. Simeon ben Yohay said, “The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him, ‘That heart which is glad for his brother's greatness shall have those precious stones (of Exod. 28:17-21) laid upon it.’” ...
...שנאמר הנה הוא יוצא לקראתך וראך ושמח בלבו (שמות ד יד), לא בפיו בלבד אלא בלבו, לבו יותר מפיו, וראך ושמח בלבו, אמר ר' שמעון בן יוחי הלב ששמח בגדולת אחיו ילבש אורים ותומים, שנאמר ונתת אל חשן המשפט את האורים ואת התומים והיו על לב אהרן (שמות כח ל), הוי וגם הנה הוא יוצא לקראתך וראך ושמח בלבו, ...
... It is so stated (in Exod. 4:14): SEE, HE IS SETTING OUT TO MEET YOU; AND WHEN HE SEES YOU, HE WILL BE HAPPY IN HIS HEART: not in his mouth alone but in his heart, his heart more than his mouth. WHEN HE SEES YOU, HE WILL BE HAPPY IN HIS HEART. R. Simeon ben Johay said: The heart that was happy at his brother's greatness shall put on Urim and Thummim, as stated (in Exod. 28:30): AND INSIDE THE BREAST PLATE OF JUDGMENT YOU SHALL PUT THE URIM AND THUMMIM SO THAT THEY SHALL BE UPON AARON'S HEART. Ergo (In Exod. 4:14): AND ALSO SEE, HE IS SETTING OUT TO MEET YOU; AND WHEN HE SEES YOU, HE WILL BE HAPPY IN HIS HEART. ...