Torah Portion: Tetzaveh
The Breastplate shall not be loosened from upon the Ephod (Shemos28:28).
It is a negative commandment that we not separate the Breastplate from upon the Ephod. The “Breastplate” and the “Ephod” are two of the eight priestly-garments worn by the Kohen Gadol (High Priest); the Breastplate was placed opposite the heart of the kohen, in front of him, while the Ephod-apron was tied behind him, lined up exactly opposite the Breastplate. On the Ephod there were two straps that extended [upwards] from the fabric of the Ephod’s belt with which the kohen tied [around his waist]. After tying the belt of the Ephod and placing the Breastplate over his heart, the result was that [the belt] was [directly] beneath the Breastplate. Scripture commanded to use a thread of techeles to tie the rings that were affixed to the Breastplate together with the rings that were affixed to the Ephod. This way the Breastplate is attached to the belt in a firm and splendorous manner. Without tying them to these rings, the Breastplate would slide and separate from the belt of the Ephod and would swing against the heart of the kohen. About this it is written, The Breastplate shall not be loosened from upon the Ephod (Shemos 28:28) — that is, from upon the belt of the Ephod.
One who loosens this connection during the course of the Service receives lashes due to this negative commandment.
Among the roots of the mitzvah is the aim that Hashem wished — for our good — to give us the merit us with the glorification of that Holy Temple and that everything in it should be in place and position, complete in all manner of perfection and lacking no form of beauty in any of its components. In truth, it is an aspect of beauty that the Breastplate not slide and swing over the heart of the Kohen Gadol, but rather that it stay firmly in place.
This commandment applies when the Holy Temple stands, to both men and women — that is whether it is a man or a women who loosens the connection between [the Breastplate and the Ephod], he [or she] transgresses this prohibition.
