The Midrash[7] on this week's Torah portion of Vayechi states that the reward for the spiritual service of Asher is that "he shall produce [wearers of] the eight [priestly] garments." Thus Rashi, in his second comment on the verse[8] "Let him be acceptable to his brothers," states that "daughters of the tribe of Asher were beautiful and married to High Priests who wore eight priestly garments."

What is the connection between "beautiful daughters" and High Priests. Obviously, in the present context we must say that the beauty we speak of is spiritual, something that is indeed related to the High Priesthood.

G-d says[9] of the woman, "I will make a help-mate for him," i.e., a help-mate for man in his spiritual service. This was most apparent in the instance of the High Priest, whose service on Yom Kippur in the Holy of Holies required that he be married and "atone for himself, and for his 'house,' "[10] which our Sages explain[11] to mean the High Priest's wife. Having a wife was crucial; otherwise the High Priest could not perform his service.

The true beauty of the Jewish woman, the concept of "The entire glory of the king's daughter is within,"[12] i.e., the concept of tznius, leads to and assists the high-priestly office.[13] It is achieved by virtue of the service of Kabbalas Ol, acceptance of the Divine yoke.

When a person's conduct is based on Kabbalas Ol, in accordance with the Shulchan Aruch - which includes the principle of tznius, then one merits to establish a generation of righteous children: one will be blessed with children and grandchildren who occupy themselves with Torah and mitzvos, verily High Priests.

What is meant by "children who become High Priests"?

The High Priest enters the Holy of Holies which contains only the Holy Ark with the tablets on which the Ten Commandments are engraved. The Ten Commandments were not inscribed with ink, a substance distinct from and added to parchment, but engraved upon the tablets - signifying an absolute unity. These High-Priestly-children thus become one with Torah.

Excerpt from a Sicha of the Rebbe, Likkutei Sichos, Vol. I, pp. 109-110

   

Notes:

7. (Back to text) Bereishis Rabbah 98:16; ibid., 71:10

8. (Back to text) Devarim 33:24.

9. (Back to text) Bereishis 2:18.

10. (Back to text) Vayikra 16:6.

11. (Back to text) See Yoma 2a.

12. (Back to text) Tehillim 45:14.

13. (Back to text) See Yoma 47a; Bamidbar Rabbah 1:3.