The Noisy Jew

THE NOISY JEWThe hem of the Me’il was decorated with golden bells. The Torah teaches that the sound of these bells “would be heard when he enters the Holy Place before Hashem and when he leaves”.

Normally, the service of Hashem is associated with silence – as taught in the Book of Kings that Hashem is not found in the… the loud noise…, but rather in the soft still voice. So why was it necessary to have the noise of these bells accompany the Kohen Gadol as he came before Hashem?

When a person stands close to their friend they can communicate with a soft whisper. But when one finds themselves calling-out from afar, they need to raise their voice and shout.

The service of the Tzaddikim, who find themselves close to Hashem, is calm and quiet. They do not experience struggle and turbulence and they do not require any major self-transformation.

In contrast, the Baal Teshuvah finds themselves distant from Hashem. They must confront their struggles and challenges as they detach themselves from their former environment and experience, to draw close to Hashem. Their Avodah is a “noisy” one, as they go through a complete self-negation and transformation. 

The noise of the bells represents these Baalei Teshuvah; the “noise” that comes from those who find themselves spiritually on the hem and yearn to rise upwards. When the Kohen Gadol entered the Holy, he did so on behalf of all of the Jewish people; not just the silent Tzaddikim, but also the noisy bells. 

But on Yom Kippur, when he entered the Holy of Holies, the Kohen Gadol did not wear the golden garments, including the Me’il with its bells. The Holy of Holies is the essence of the soul. On Yom Kippur, the essence of every Jew is revealed. On this level, every Jew is not just close to Hashem, but united with Him in absolute oneness. Since there is no distance, there is no need for noise.

~ Based on Likutei Sichos volume 16 Tetzaveh 2
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The Daily Beis Hamikdash Thought is an initiative of Kollel Menachem, Melbourne. 
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