Why the Kohen Wears Shatnez, But We Don’t

 The uniform of the Kohanim while serving in the Mishkan was meant to have a powerful spiritual impact, both on the priests themselves as well as on the rest of Bnai Yisrael. A peculiar characteristic of some of these garments stands out and begs an explanation. Regarding the Ephod, the apron from whose straps hung the Choshen Mishpat (the breast plate containing precious stones representing each of the twelve tribes), the Torah states (Shemot 28:6, 15):

“And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the skillful workman.”

“And you shall make a breastplate of judgment, the work of the skillful workman; like the work of the ephod you shall make it: of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, shalt thou make it.”

The Rambam identified the type of thread that was dyed with the colors that the Torah specifies.

(Mishnah Torah Klei HaMikdash 8: 13):

“Whenever the Torah uses the word sheish or bad, it is referring to linen. Whenever the term techeilet is used, it refers to wool which is dyed blue. The term argaman refers to wool that is dyed red. And tola'at sheni refers to wool dyed with a bug.”

The Ephod, the Choshen and the Avnet (belt) were therefore comprised of a mixture of linen and wool, a combination that the Torah explicitly prohibits to wear as shatnez. 

One of the few commentators to addresses this question of shatnez in the Kohen’s garments was Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch. In a section of commentary dealing with shatnez Rav Hirsch explains, “Only the priest had wool and flax mixed in his clothing, for he represents the community as a unity, and in his personality bridges all dissimilarities.”

In Rav Hirsch’s view, rather than thinking of shatnez as something negative, it represents a higher, unified level of existence in which only special people  involved in special ritual activities can access. According to Rav Hirsch we should view shatnez on some level  as symbolizing the ideal of Jewish unity which we should yearn for and admire as it is manifest in the service of the Kohanim, even as it is forbidden to the rest of us. 

Diversity and unity are important Jewish values. I have been known to say that one of the few types of people that might not feel comfortable at our shul is a person who is looking for uniformity and doesn’t want to daven in the same shul as someone who ___________ (fill in the blank).

I view the diversity of our shul as an essential feature and as a strength. 

As individuals we are entitled, even encouraged, to socialize and surround ourselves with like minded people with similar values who will support and inspire us in our lifelong pursuit of religious growth. But as a kehilla I believe that we are called upon to celebrate our diversity and to live the lesson that is taught by the priestly shatnez garments.