Mean What You Say…

In this week's Parsha we read about the many special garments which the Kohanim (priests) would wear.

The Parsha tells us that "The chosen (breastplate) must not be loosened from upon the efod (apron)."

Why did the Torah need to teach this at all? Would it really be such terrible thing if the choshen would become loosened from the efod?

Aharon wore the breastplate "al libo" - "on his heart.

The word "efod" has the numerical value of 85, which is the same as the numerical value of "peh" - "mouth." The Torah is alluding to the idea that our mouths and our hearts should work together in unison. Being "echad bepeh ve'echad beleiv" (saying one thing with the mouth and another with the heart), saying things that we do not really mean, is not desirable.

Sincerity is a good thing. It is hard work – but it is a midah (character trait), which is worth the effort. People can usually tell when a person is being sincere or not, and it makes a much more positive impression on another person when they see that somebody is being sincere and actually believes in what they are saying and doing.