Of Astronauts and [L] Kohanim

This is kind of a sensitive topic. Partially because of the recent tragedy of STS-107 and partially because some people will mistake analogy for comparison and equation. That’s what the [L] in the title is for. L’havdil. This is only an analogy. Don’t read too much into it. There’s a third hesitation. It’s personal. I know what I want to say, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to say it well. But I really want to try.

The building of a space shuttle and the rocket that launches it, and everything about it is extremely expensive, time consuming, and unbelievably exacting. There is nothing like it. Airplanes are up there (pun intended), but not close to what’s involved in a space mission. Astronauts are probably the best trained, most elite group of people in intelligence, knowledge, training, expertise. Their suits and other apparel and equipment are made to exact standards with no margin of error allowed.
And the eyes of the world are on their every move and word and gesture. So few people, relatively, have flown in space. (Only 12 people ever walked on the Moon.) And many of the devices and systems that are made for astronauts find their way into use on Earth in certain fields. For example, devices to monitor an astronauts vital signs have inspired the invention of similar devices to be used in hospitals to allow patients greater freedom of movement.

There is more, but you get the picture.

A tremendous number of p’sukim in the Torah are devoted to the building of the Mishkan and the fashioning of the garments of the Kohein Gadol. After a full set of details in the context of command, the details are repeated in the carrying out of the commands. A kohein’s garments must fit him well. They must be clean. They must not be frayed or torn. In the performance of the kohein’s tasks, amazingly high standards are in effect. Not only must procedure be followed to the nth degree, but improper or incorrect thoughts will invalidate a korban. A kohein who does not wash his hands and feet befor performing Avoda in the Mikdash can be liable to a death penalty from Heavens.

We do not, probably cannot, and aren’t required to function on the highest level of a kohein who serves in the Beit HaMikdash. If we are sloppy in our required washings, or if we do not dress ourselves or groom ourselves with 100% care, it can be excusable. But when we learn about the Mikdash and the kohanim, when we study Seder Avoda of the Mikdash, we must be inspired by these models of perfection and resolve to improve ourselves in our everyday life. Wash for HaMotzi as if you were a kohein entering the Mikdash. Then we can grow spiritually.