BH
The Tzitz: A Crown of Holiness and Perception
Parshat Tetzaveh describes the intricate garments of the Kohen Gadol, each carrying deep spiritual significance. One of these garments, the Tzitz, was a golden plate worn on Aharon HaKohen’s forehead. Engraved with the words Kodesh LaHashem—“Holy to Hashem”—it extended from ear to ear and was secured with threads of techelet (crimson blue). These threads wrapped around his head, forming a complete enclosure over the skull and brain.
The Torah commands in Shemot 28:36:
“V’asita Tzitz zahav tahor, u’pittachta alav pituchei chotam Kodesh LaHashem”—“And you shall make a Tzitz of pure gold, and engrave upon it an engraving like a signet: ‘Holy to Hashem.’”
Rashi explains that the Tzitz was only two fingerbreadths wide, covering the forehead but positioned so as to leave room for the Tefillin above it. The engraving was done in two lines: Kodesh La below and Hashem above, ensuring the proper reverence for Hashem’s Name.
But beyond its physical structure, the Tzitz holds a profound lesson about divine perception and spiritual connection.
The Path to Clarity: Joy and Expansion
Rebbe Nachman, in Likutey Moharan Lesson 24, reveals the connection between joy, spiritual growth, and perception. He teaches that the only way to truly advance in life, to break through stagnation and confusion, is by performing mitzvot with simcha—with genuine joy and enthusiasm. Through joy, a person creates spiritual momentum, elevating themselves toward greater levels of divine connection.
This ascent leads to what Kabbalah refers to as the Keter, the highest spiritual boundary separating finite creation from Hashem’s infinite light. The Keter is an interface between the physical and the infinite. If a person were to fully merge with the infinite light, they would cease to exist as a finite being. Thus, the Keter serves as a barrier, preventing the person from going beyond what they can handle.
Rebbe Nachman describes a powerful process:
- A person’s mind expands through joy. When one serves Hashem with true joy, they reach higher levels of spiritual awareness.
- They strive to ascend further—but encounter resistance. If they continue pushing forward without restraint, they collide into the Keter, which then bounces them back.
- The setback is a necessary step. Rather than seeing setbacks as failures, one must recognize them as preparation for greater understanding.
- Through emunah, they integrate the light. Accepting the “bounce back” with faith allows a person to internalize divine light within their finite existence.
This process creates what Rebbe Nachman calls the Nine Chambers, vessels that hold divine perception of the infinite light within the limitations of human experience. When a person properly accepts this cycle, they merit clarity, spiritual advancement, and divine assistance in all areas of life.
The Tzitz and the Keter Connection
The Tzitz serves as a physical representation of this concept. Placed on Aharon’s forehead, covering the brain and secured around the head, it mirrors the role of the Keter—the crown of spiritual perception. The engraving Kodesh LaHashem symbolizes how holiness must be inscribed upon one’s mind, but not in a single line—rather, in two levels, just as divine perception must be absorbed gradually.
Furthermore, the threads of techelet securing the Tzitz represent a bridge between the physical and the infinite. The blue-dyed wool (techelet) reminds us of the sky, which in turn reminds us of the Throne of Glory (Kisei HaKavod), illustrating the connection between human service and divine reality.
Aharon HaKohen, wearing the Tzitz, embodied this balance: a mortal being carrying divine holiness, showing that a person can connect to the highest levels while still remaining within the physical world.
The Me’il: Joy and Movement in Avodat Hashem
Aharon HaKohen’s Me’il, the robe of the Kohen Gadol, was adorned with bells and pomegranate-shaped ornaments at its hem next to the feet. These ornaments jingled as he walked, symbolizing movement, music, and simcha. Rebbe Nachman teaches that joy is an essential force in spiritual growth—expressed through movement, clapping, and song. Aharon’s service in the Beit HaMikdash reflected this idea: every step he took was filled with joy, awakening the soul and elevating his service.
This Me’il represents the starting point of spiritual ascent. Joy in mitzvot creates energy and momentum, propelling a person toward higher levels of connection with Hashem.
Aharon as the Conduit of Blessing
In the structure of spiritual ascent, the next stage after joy is bracha—blessing. Aharon HaKohen represents this concept through Birkat Kohanim, the priestly blessings, which channel Hashem’s abundance into the world. The three verses of Birkat Kohanim contain all the blessings a Jew needs in life:
- “Yevarechecha Hashem v’yishmerecha”—Material and spiritual protection
- “Ya’er Hashem panav eilecha vichuneka”—Divine illumination and grace
- “Yisa Hashem panav eilecha v’yasem lecha shalom”—Closeness to Hashem and peace
These blessings establish a foundation for the next level: receiving divine perception. Rebbe Nachman explains that activating blessings in one’s life is a prerequisite to reaching the Keter, the highest level of divine connection.
The Keter and the Urim VeTumim
Beyond blessings, the next level of divine connection is accessing Hashem’s infinite wisdom. This is represented by the Urim VeTumim, the breastplate of the Kohen Gadol, which provided divine answers to questions posed by leaders of Israel. The illumination of the Urim VeTumim symbolized clarity and guidance, showing that divine wisdom flows to those who have prepared themselves through simcha and bracha.
Rebbe Nachman teaches that true divine wisdom comes from the Keter, the interface between finite creation and Hashem’s infinite light. The Keter acts as a barrier, ensuring that divine energy is received in a measured way. When a person serves Hashem with joy and emunah, they develop vessels—nine chambers—to receive divine light without being overwhelmed. This process mirrors the function of the Urim VeTumim, which took divine wisdom and made it accessible through the breastplate.
The Tzitz: A Glimpse into the Infinite
At the highest level of Aharon’s garments was the Tzitz, the golden forehead plate engraved with Kodesh LaHashem. This plate, running from ear to ear and held by threads of techelet, represents the final stage of divine connection—gazing into the infinite.
The word Tzitz means “to peek,” as in “Mashgiach min hachalonot, metzitz min hacharakim”—“He peers through the windows, He gazes through the cracks” (Shir HaShirim 2:9). This reflects the reality that Hashem’s infinite light cannot be fully grasped—only glimpsed. The Tzitz symbolizes the moment when a person reaches their intellectual limit and can only receive a faint glimmer of divine truth.
This placement on the forehead is significant. Behind it lies the moach, the intellect, which consists of Chochmah (wisdom), Binah (understanding), and Da’at (knowledge). When a person reaches the Keter, their intellect collides with it, creating the nine chambers that hold divine light in a way they can absorb. The Tzitz serves as a reminder that true perception of Hashem is always partial—no matter how high one ascends, they can only peek through a crack at the divine reality.
Continuing the Ascent
The garments of Aharon HaKohen illustrate the process of ascending toward divine perception:
- Simcha and movement (Me’il)—Generating joy to elevate mitzvot
- Blessing and expansion (Birkat Kohanim)—Opening channels of divine abundance
- Peeking beyond the finite (Tzitz)—Attaining a glimpse of Hashem’s infinite wisdom
- Receiving clarity (Urim VeTumim)—Allowing divine light from the infinite light to shine as guidance
Through this process, we learn that true connection to Hashem requires joy, faith, and the ability to accept setbacks as part of the greater ascent. The Tzitz reminds us that while we may never fully grasp the infinite, Hashem grants us glimpses of His light to guide us along the way.
The Tzitz represents the ability to access divine wisdom in moments of darkness
The Role of the Tzitz in Aharon’s Avodah
The Tzitz, the golden plate worn on Aharon HaKohen’s forehead, was engraved with the words Kodesh LaHashem—”Holy to Hashem.” This inscription, which ran from ear to ear and was secured by techelet threads, symbolized the highest spiritual connection attainable through divine service. It covered the forehead, the seat of human intellect, emphasizing that even the highest mental faculties must be dedicated entirely to Hashem.
There is a debate in the Gemara regarding the meaning of Kodesh LaHashem: Does it refer to Aharon himself, or to the Jewish people? The answer, incredibly, is both. As Kohen Gadol, Aharon was sanctified for the highest level of divine service, yet he also served as a representative for all of Klal Yisrael. His service in the Beit HaMikdash was not for his own elevation alone but for the entire nation.
Aharon’s Humility: Carrying the Title of Holiness
Wearing a headpiece that proclaims Kodesh LaHashem requires an unimaginable level of humility. Any lesser person might succumb to arrogance, but Aharon, as the paradigm of shalom and selflessness, embodied the ideal of complete avodat Hashem without personal pride. This humility was essential for a leader entrusted with atoning for and blessing the people.
The Five Levels of Divine Connection
The Tzitz was not just a symbol—it was a representation of profound spiritual realities. The name Hashem, Yud-Kei-Vav-Kei, represents four dimensions of existence in Kabbalistic thought:
- Atzilut – Nearness to Hashem
- Briyah – Creation
- Yetzirah – Formation
- Asiyah – Action
Above these four is a fifth, higher level—the domain of divine splendor, the interface between the infinite and the finite. This corresponds to the small downward stroke on the roof of the letter Yud in Hashem’s name, known as Kotza d’Yud, representing the transcendent level beyond human comprehension.
The engraving of Kodesh LaHashem on the Tzitz reflected this structure. According to Rashi, the words were arranged in two lines: Kodesh La on the bottom, with Hashem written above. This visual arrangement mirrored the ascending journey of the soul, from serving Hashem through mitzvot in this world (Asiyah) to ultimately attaining a glimpse of divine oneness (Splendor – Kotza d’ Yud).
The Tzitz and the Twelve Tribes
Aharon’s garments also included two shoulder stones engraved with the names of the twelve tribes—six on each side. These stones, worn during his service, signified that Aharon did not act on his own behalf but as the emissary of all of Klal Yisrael. The Tzitz, bearing the inscription Kodesh LaHashem, thus applied not only to Aharon but to the entire nation. Just as Aharon was expected to reach the highest levels of sanctity, every Jew has the potential to ascend through divine service.
The Urim VeTumim and the Messages of the Torah
Reb Noson compares the Urim VeTumim to the power of the printed books of tzaddikim. Even centuries after their works were written, the letters continue to shine for those who study them, just as the Urim VeTumim on the Choshen (breastplate) would illuminate answers. The Torah, especially as revealed through the tzaddikim, serves as a channel for divine messages of the infinite light, guiding a person toward truth and clarity.
The Battle Against Amalek: Achashverosh and the Kohen Gadol’s Garments
This Shabbat Zachor, leading into Purim, reminds us of the ongoing battle against Amalek, who seeks to sever the Jewish people from their divine connection. The Midrash states that at the infamous feast of Achashverosh, he donned the eight garments of the Kohen Gadol. His goal was to take the simcha generated by the mitzvot—meant to bring light and holiness into the world—and redirect it into impurity. The feast featured non-kosher food, wine, and immorality, attempting to strip the Jewish people of their sanctity.
Mordekhai’s Strength: The Key to Redemption
Mordekhai, embodying the strength of a true tzaddik, countered this corruption by inspiring the Jewish people to maintain their faith and dignity. While he wept and davened for salvation, he simultaneously stood firm against Haman, refusing to bow. According to the Midrash, Mordekhai even mocked Haman by showing him a contract, etched onto his shoe, proving that Haman had once sold himself as a slave. This balance—unwavering faith in Hashem while boldly opposing evil—became the key to overturning the decree and bringing about the miracle of Purim.
The Tzitz: A Glimpse of Infinite Light
The Tzitz, positioned on the forehead, represents the ability to access divine wisdom in moments of darkness. When the Jewish people embrace Kodesh LaHashem—sanctifying their intellect and dedicating their actions to Hashem—they receive the clarity needed to navigate challenges. Just as Mordekhai illuminated the path to redemption, we, too, can draw upon the light of Torah, the teachings of the tzaddikim, and the joy of mitzvot to overcome obstacles and reveal Hashem’s presence in our lives.
May we merit to internalize the lessons of the Tzitz, to sanctify our thoughts, and to use the light of Torah to dispel doubt and darkness. As we approach Purim, may we subdue Amalek, embrace true simcha, and merit the ultimate redemption.
This article also appears on the BRI breslov.org website: https://breslov.org/the-light-of-the-tzitz/
For a video presentation of this article: https://youtu.be/gFW_XPUPF20
This class is based on Likutey Moharan lesson 24. For more on this lesson: linktr.ee/breslovtherapy_lesson_24
Shabbat Shalom.
Meir Elkabas
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