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Exodus 39:1 - Priestly garments: Divine craftsmanship commanded.

Exodus 39:1 - שמות 39:1

Hebrew Text

וּמִן־הַתְּכֵלֶת וְהָאַרְגָּמָן וְתוֹלַעַת הַשָּׁנִי עָשׂוּ בִגְדֵי־שְׂרָד לְשָׁרֵת בַּקֹּדֶשׁ וַיַּעֲשׂוּ אֶת־בִּגְדֵי הַקֹּדֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר לְאַהֲרֹן כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהוָה אֶת־מֹשֶׁה׃

English Translation

And of the blue, and purple, and scarlet, they made uniforms, with which to do service in the holy place, and they made the holy garments for Aharon; as the Lord commanded Moshe.

Transliteration

U-min-ha-techelet ve-ha-argaman ve-tola'at ha-shani asu vigdei-srad le-sharet ba-kodesh va-ya'asu et bigdei ha-kodesh asher le-Aharon ka-asher tzivah Adonai et Moshe.

Hebrew Leining Text

וּמִן־הַתְּכֵ֤לֶת וְהָֽאַרְגָּמָן֙ וְתוֹלַ֣עַת הַשָּׁנִ֔י עָשׂ֥וּ בִגְדֵי־שְׂרָ֖ד לְשָׁרֵ֣ת בַּקֹּ֑דֶשׁ וַֽיַּעֲשׂ֞וּ אֶת־בִּגְדֵ֤י הַקֹּ֙דֶשׁ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לְאַהֲרֹ֔ן כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־מֹשֶֽׁה׃ <span class="mam-spi-pe">{פ}</span><br>
וּמִן־הַתְּכֵ֤לֶת וְהָֽאַרְגָּמָן֙ וְתוֹלַ֣עַת הַשָּׁנִ֔י עָשׂ֥וּ בִגְדֵי־שְׂרָ֖ד לְשָׁרֵ֣ת בַּקֹּ֑דֶשׁ וַֽיַּעֲשׂ֞וּ אֶת־בִּגְדֵ֤י הַקֹּ֙דֶשׁ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לְאַהֲרֹ֔ן כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־מֹשֶֽׁה׃ {פ}

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Materials of the Priestly Garments

The verse (Shemot 39:1) describes the use of three specific dyes—תְּכֵלֶת (blue), אַרְגָּמָן (purple), and תּוֹלַעַת הַשָּׁנִי (scarlet)—in crafting the priestly garments. According to Rashi, these materials were not arbitrary but carried deep symbolic meaning:

  • תְּכֵלֶת (blue): Represents the heavens and divine revelation, as the color resembles the sea and sky, which reflect the Throne of Glory (Chagigah 12b).
  • אַרְגָּמָן (purple): Symbolizes royalty and majesty, reflecting the elevated status of the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) in his service before Hashem (Rambam, Hilchot Klei HaMikdash 8:5).
  • תּוֹלַעַת הַשָּׁנִי (scarlet): Associated with atonement and human humility, as the dye comes from a lowly creature (the crimson worm), teaching that even the loftiest service requires humility (Menachot 43b).

The Purpose of the Uniforms

The verse emphasizes that these garments were made "לְשָׁרֵת בַּקֹּדֶשׁ" (to serve in the holy place). The Ramban explains that the priestly garments were not merely functional but served to sanctify the wearer, enabling the Kohanim to perform their duties in purity and reverence. The Talmud (Zevachim 17b) states that without these garments, the service was invalid, underscoring their necessity for divine service.

Aharon’s Holy Garments

The verse specifies that the garments were made "כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהוָה אֶת־מֹשֶׁה" (as Hashem commanded Moshe), highlighting the precision required in fulfilling divine commandments. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 38:8) teaches that every detail of the garments—colors, materials, and design—was imbued with spiritual significance, reflecting the harmony between physical craftsmanship and heavenly instruction.

Lessons in Avodat Hashem

From this verse, we derive several key principles in Jewish thought:

  • Hiddur Mitzvah (Beautifying Commandments): The use of precious materials teaches the importance of honoring mitzvot with beauty and excellence (Shabbat 133b).
  • Kavod HaTorah (Honor of Torah): Just as the Kohanim wore dignified garments, we must approach divine service with respect and dignity (Rambam, Hilchot Tefillah 5:1).
  • Submission to Divine Will: The repetition of "as Hashem commanded Moshe" reinforces the principle of unwavering obedience to divine instruction (Sifra, Shemini 1:9).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Yoma 72a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the priestly garments and their significance in the service of the Temple.
📖 Zevachim 88b
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the materials used for the priestly garments and their role in atonement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the 'blue, purple, and scarlet' materials mentioned in Exodus 39:1?
A: The verse refers to three special dyed fabrics used for the priestly garments: 'techelet' (blue), 'argaman' (purple), and 'tola'at shani' (scarlet). These colors were obtained from rare dyes and symbolized holiness, royalty, and atonement (Rashi on Exodus 25:4, Talmud Menachot 44a).
Q: Why were special garments needed for serving in the Mishkan (Tabernacle)?
A: The Torah teaches that special garments ('bigdei kodesh') were required for the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) and regular Kohanim (priests) to honor their sacred service. As Rambam explains (Hilchot Klei HaMikdash 8:1-2), these garments elevated the wearer spiritually and reminded the people of the holiness of the Mishkan service.
Q: What is the significance of the phrase 'as the Lord commanded Moshe' in this verse?
A: This phrase appears repeatedly in the Torah's account of building the Mishkan to emphasize that every detail was followed precisely according to Hashem's instructions. The Midrash (Tanchuma Pekudei 3) teaches this shows the importance of fulfilling mitzvot exactly as commanded, without adding or subtracting.
Q: Do we still use these colored fabrics today in Jewish practice?
A: While we don't have the Temple service today, techelet (blue) has significance in the tzitzit strings according to some opinions (Rambam Hilchot Tzitzit 2:1). The exact identification of the biblical techelet dye is debated among modern scholars based on Talmudic sources (Menachot 42b-44a).
Q: What lesson can we learn from how the Israelites made the priestly garments?
A: The verse teaches the importance of dedicating our finest materials and skills for holy purposes (Malbim on Exodus 39:1). Just as the Israelites used precious dyes for sacred garments, we should use our resources and talents to serve Hashem in the best way possible.