The Kohanim’s elevated stature enabled them to fulfill their vital role amongst Klal Yisroel as the beacons of ruchniyus and kedusha – spirituality and holiness.  So, too, is the position of the Jewish People in relation to the nations of the world. This is the responsibility we accepted upon ourselves leading up to Matan Torah, to be a Mamleches Kohanim and Goy Kadosh – a kingdom of priests and sanctified nation.

More than anyone, we are obligated to care for ourselves in this world with the utmost distinction – both on a physical and spiritual level. And one way to accomplish this is to look into the creation itself for direction.

HaRav Noach Orlowek, שליט''א, in his presentation titled What Chazal Say About Staying Healthy, cites Rav Tzadok in Tzidkus HaTzadik, (קעג) teaching that a person is supposed to discover lessons for living by observing the details of HaShem’s world. We are to learn modesty from a cat (which makes sure to relieve itself in a private place), and honesty from an ant (they don’t take things from each other - gemara in Eruvin).

Animals instinctively know to protect themselves and to stay away from things that are harmful. In their own environment, they do not overeat. We, however, are supposed to choose to be like that, says Rav Orlowek, it doesn’t just happen automatically. He brings a beautiful analogy from his rebbe, HaRav Simcha Wasserman, זצ''ל to illustrate the point.

Man is on manual control while nature is on automatic, Rav Simcha said – like different kinds of cameras. A picture from an automatic camera comes out right each time and is fairly easy to take, but it’s not a work of art. A manual camera has lots of settings and you have to invest time and effort to know what you’re doing. And the result can either be a dud or a masterpiece, depending on the skill of the photographer.

Nature is programmed to take care of itself and is wonderful to observe and be a part of. Man, however, has the potential to make himself the masterpiece of creation. But we have to invest the energy and choose to learn from the lessons with which HaShem surrounds us. It doesn’t happen automatically.

Our bodies are the clothing for our souls. As such, we must take meticulous care in order for them to properly serve their function – allowing us to properly fulfill our role as a kingdom of priests and sanctified nation. Health and wellbeing are not automatic.

The bells and pomegranate-shaped tassels on the bottom of the Kohen Gadol’s me’il (robe) also mirror this message, as we see in this week’s parsha. They were meant to amend for the transgression of lashon hara (slanderous speech) by making noise as the Kohen Gadol walked, to atone for the “noise” we made by speaking negatively about others.

But what was the significance of the pomegranate? Rashi in the gemara (Zevachim 88b) informs us that the pomegranates on the hem of the me’il should resemble those on a tree that have yet to ripen and open. It’s as if the pomegranate’s mouth was not open, refraining from speaking. Once the pomegranate opens its mouth, it begins to spoil and dry up inside.

We’re to learn from here that we need to exercise control and closure with our mouths when appropriate, only emitting words that are kind and helpful, and only letting in food that is healthy and nutritious. Good שבת.

Rabbi Eli Glaser, CNWC, CWMC is a Certified Nutrition, Wellness & Weight Management Consultant and Director of SOVEYA (Changing the Jewish World - One Pound at a Time). To contact Soveya: 443-501-3082, info@soveya.com or www.soveya.com