Warning Bells – "וְנִשְׁמַע קוֹלוֹ... וְלֹא יָמוּת"/2
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Warning Bells – "וְנִשְׁמַע קוֹלוֹ... וְלֹא יָמוּת"
Exegetical Approaches
Overview
Commentators disagree on what actions will serve to prevent death from occurring. Vayikra Rabbah and Rashi view the
Wearing Full Attire
The high priest will not die if he wears all of the required vestments for serving in the Tabernacle, and the bells of the robe play no special role as far as this.
Context of "וְלֹא יָמוּת" – Rashi reads the words "וְלֹא יָמוּת" as referring to the high priest wearing all of the garments described in the entire chapter. He thus separates these words from the rest of the verse and their immediate context of the robe and the sounding of its bells.
Parallel verses – Vayikra Rabbah and Rashi view our verse as parallel to Shemot 28:43 which similarly describes a punishment of death for lack of proper attire.
Who might die? According to this interpretation, it is the high priest himself who might die if he is in violation of the priestly dress code.
Why is only the high priest commanded? According to Vayikra Rabbah and Rashi, the admonition against serving with improper attire applies equally to the high priest and to ordinary priests. Thus, there are two verses: 28:35 which refers specifically to the high priest as it comes in the context of the special vestments of the high priest, and 28:43 which relates to all priests as it follows the instructions regarding the basic priestly garments.
"הַקֹּדֶשׁ" – As this term appears in the first part of the verse speaking of the robe and its bells, it refers to the outer chamber in which the high priest would wear the golden garments. The prohibition of being dressed inappropriately, though, applies in all parts of the Tabernacle including the Holy of Holies, and even in the courtyard.
Function of the bells – Vayikra Rabbah views the ringing of the bells as part of appropriate manners to knock before entering the Tabernacle. The lack of such etiquette, though, might not warrant the death penalty. Rashi adds that when the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies and would not be wearing the robe with its bells, a special metallic attachment to the censer would instead serve to make the ringing entry sound.
Evacuation of the Sanctuary
Who might die?
"הַקֹּדֶשׁ" –
Why is only the high priest commanded?
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Proper Respect or Intentions
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Sources: Bavli Yoma, Bavli Yoma, Vayikra Rabbah, Ibn Ezra, Tosafot Sanhedrin, Chizkuni, R. Avraham b. HaRambam, Abarbanel, Seforno,
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Crux of the position –
