Follow ChabadInfo & Never Miss an Update!

Follow us on Instagram Subscribe to our WhatsApp status and broadcast Follow us on Tiktok Follow us on Facebook Follow us on X Follow us on Google News Subscribe on YouTube

BEGIN WITH A GRIN

A man come to a tailor to have a suit made and he brings his own fabric. The tailor takes the measurements, checks the fabric and says “sorry, that fabric is not enough for a suit.”

The man leaves, decides to get a second opinion. He goes to another tailor. That tailor takes the measurements, and tells the man to come in two weeks.

Two weeks later, the man comes and receives his suit. As he leaves, he notices the tailor’s little son is running around wearing trousers clearly made of the very same fabric.

Furious, he goes to the first tailor:

“Hey, what’s that supposed to mean? You told me I didn’t give you enough fabric for a suit, but that guy down the street made me a suit from it, and there was even enough left for his son’s pants!”

“True, but I’ve got twin sons.”

DRESS CODE FOR PROPHETS?

In parshas Shoftim (18:15) it says, “A prophet from among you, from your brothers, like me, the L-rd, your G-d will set up for you; you shall hearken to him.” The Torah commands us to listen and obey the prophet and even promises us that G-d will give us prophets of whom we can ask questions and get advice.

Today, prophecy seems like something otherworldly to us, spiritual messages conveyed telepathically, supernatural communication through angels and spiritual levels, something which in our daily lives seems very unrealistic.

One of the things we are promised regarding the Geula directly connects to the subject of prophecy. The prophet Yoel (3:1) promises, “I will pour out My spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy.” Not only will there be prophets, but all Jews will be prophets!

According to the Medrash in Tehillim, Yoel’s prophecy was a continuation of Moshe’s request in Behaaloscha, “If only all the L-rd’s people were prophets, that the L-rd would bestow His spirit upon them!” According to the Medrash, Moshe’s request was not fulfilled in this world but in the future, it will be fulfilled in the time of the Geula. This is why the Medrash quotes the words of Yoel quoted above.

But that Geula prophecy will be a bit different than the prophecy that existed until now. Until now, prophecy was the province of special individuals, the elite of humanity, because to merit prophecy, says Rambam, a person had to be “a very wise sage of a strong character… possessing a very broad and accurate mental capacity,” etc. But in the future, prophecy will be natural, there won’t be any acceptance tests for prophecy or any requirements. There won’t be any prior prescribed course requirements to the point that everybody, including little children, will be prophets. This Geula novelty is hinted at in the words of the prophet Yoel, “and your sons and daughters shall prophesy.” Little children will prophesy like Yeshaya, Yirmiya and Yechezkel!

However, this prophecy phenomenon will raise an interesting halachic question which the Rebbe points out. The Rambam [the last halacha of Hilchos Klei HaMikdash] writes, “the ephod of linen… was worn by the students of the prophets and those who were fit to have the Holy Spirit rest upon them to make it known that such a person reached a rung equivalent to that of the High Priest who speaks with the Holy Spirit…” The Rambam’s work is one of halachos. He doesn’t explain verses in Tanach or customs of prophets of yesteryear. So, why does he tell us about the prophets who wore an ephod of linen? Is that just meant to be a point of historical interest?

Rather, Rambam is teaching us an important halachic principle. Since “the prophet comes… to tell us things that will happen in the world in the future… and even informs regarding the needs of the individual,” therefore, in order for the Jewish people to know who is the prophet they can turn to in time of need or distress, the Torah requires the prophet to dress a certain way, in an ephod of linen, “to make it known that such a person reached the level of the high priest… with the Holy Spirit,” and that he is the one to turn to for whoever is in need.

True, at first glance, this halacha does not sound pertinent today, but the Rebbe shows us that this halacha, like every detail in Torah, has practical ramifications for every time, particularly in the true and complete Geula.

DRESS FOR THE PARTY

Today too, says the Rebbe, even before the Geula, there were (and are) those fit for a revelation of ruach ha’kodesh and prophecy. Based on what was said before, the question is whether these individuals are also required to wear an ephod of linen, and what will the halacha be in the future? If everyone will be prophets, will everyone have to wear an ephod of linen instead of a sirtuk and a gartel?

On the one hand, we can say that if all Jews will be prophets, it won’t be necessary to wear a distinctive garment in order to let people know that so-and-so speaks with ruach ha’kodesh, because everyone will be prophets. On the other hand, in the Geula there will be differences in levels of prophecy; there will be great prophets and simple prophets. This is hinted at in the wording of Yirmiya (31:33), “for they shall all know Me from their smallest to their greatest,” and therefore, it’s possible that then too, we will need to ask certain questions of a greater prophet. In order to help us find this greater prophet to whom tough questions can be asked, he will need to wear a special garment along the lines of the ephod of linen.

The Rebbe doesn’t say one way or the other so we will have to see for ourselves, speedily in our day.

On another occasion (Shemini 5715), the Rebbe mentioned that Dovid HaMelech, the ancestor of Moshiach, wore an ephod of linen as a sign of his readiness to be a prophet. Additionally, the verse describes another important aspect of Dovid’s conduct in connection with prophecy, “And David danced with all his might before the L-rd.” Since “the Shechina doesn’t reside except where there is joy,” Dovid was involved in song and dance in order to merit the Shechina and prophecy.

This is how the Rebbe explains the practice of Chassidim which is sourced in the conduct of the Rebbeim that even on Shabbos and Yom Tov we sing, dance and clap, even though in Shulchan Aruch it looks as though this would be problematic. The reason is that from one moment to the next we are approaching the arrival of “Dovid Malka Meshicha” with giant steps, which is why, already now, we act like Dovid who “danced with all his might before the L-rd,” with joy and absolute certainty in the coming of Moshiach.

TO CONCLUDE WITH A STORY

So if a wearing a specific garment shows and announces who is truly a prophet, Chassidic clothing have a real influence on man’s behavior as we can learn from the following story.

Among the Chassidim of the Tzemach Tzedek, was a rich man whose business dealings brought him to many foreign cities. As his traveling became more frequent, the Chassid began feeling uncomfortable with his long, Chassidic coat and black hat and he adopted modern dress. When he went to the Rebbe, he continued wearing traditional clothes.

One day, he appeared in Lubavitch wearing his business clothes. “Rebbe, I decided to stop being a hypocrite. Why should I fool you? These are the clothes that I wear when I’m on business. I don’t want to make it seem as though I wear Chassidic clothing everywhere.”

The Rebbe said, “R’ Yankel, did you think I didn’t know that when you travel to Paris and Berlin that you change your clothing? But I thought that this is your real place and these are your real clothes while over there, you put on a disguise and wear other clothes.”

Good Shabbos!

37