Why did the Kohen Gadol wear linen Begadim when entering the Kodesh Kodashim on Yom Kipur, and not the eight regular Bigdei Kohen Gadol?
Rashi and Targum Yonason: Because they contained gold (which was used to make the Eigel), and based on the principle 'Ein Kateigor Na'aseh Saneigor' (a prosecutor cannot become a defense counsel), it was not appropriate for him to enter the inner sanctum 1 wearing gold. 2
Targum Yonasan: So that the gold should not recall the sin of the Golden Calf.
This principle was confined to the Kodesh Kodashim a Beis-Hamikdash.
Oznayim la'Torah: Moreover, he wore four Begadim and not eight (Bigdei Lavan), because when appearing before Hashem in the Kodesh Kodashim, even a Kohen Gadol must hunble himself like a Kohen Hedyot - 'Ki Ein Gadlus Lifnei ha'Makom!'
Why does the Pasuk insert the (otherwise superfluous) word "Kesones Bad Kodesh Yilbash"?
Rashi and Ramban (citing the Sifra): To teach us that the Begadim currently under discussion are purchased from Hekdesh (from the funds of Bedek ha'Bayis, and that Aharon did not need to pay for them out of his own pocket). 1
Seforno: Because the angels appeared to the Nevi'im clothed in the same four linen garments. 2
Why does the Torah not write "u'Michnisei Bad Yilbash al Besaro", like it did in Tzav, 6:3 - in connection with the T'rumas ha'Deshen?
Oznayim la'Torah: Because, since the Kohen Gadol changed his Begadim five times throughout the day, and the Michnasayim were worn to cover his nakedness, it is a matter of refined speech 1 not to mention the dressing.
Oznayim la'Torah: As the Pasuk writes in Iyov, 15:5 "Ve'sivchar L'shon Arumim".
Why does the Torah repeat "Bigdei Kodesh heim"?
Ramban #1 (citing the Sifra): to teach us that the same applies to all the Bigdei Kehunah - both those of a Kohen Hedyot and those of the Kohen Gadol.
Ramban #2: To teach us that these Begadim are holy, 1 just as the eight Begadim that the Kohen Gadol wears all the year round are holy. 2
Oznayim la'Torah: Despite the fact that the Kohen Gadol is not wearing the Tzitz - on which Kodesh la'Hashem is engraved.
As the Torah specifically writes in Shemos, 28:4. See Yechezkel, 9:3 and Daniel, 10:5, where the Pasuk refers to an angel as "a man clothed in linen" (Ramban). Refer also to 16:4:2:2.
Why does the Torah insert three separate terms "Yilbash", "Yachgor and "Yitznof"?
Ramban (citing the Sifra): To teach 1 us that, although the Kohen Gadol wears different Bigdei Lavan in the afternoon than those that he wore in the morning 2 in the event that none are available, he may wear the same Begadim that he wore in the morning.
R. Shimshon on the Sifra: "Yilbash", "Yachgor and "Yitznof" are superfluous, since the Pasuk ends with the word "u'Leveisham".
See Mishnah Yoma, 3:7. 'Morning' is when he enters the Kodesh ha'Kodoshim to burn the incense and sprinkle the blood of the bull and goat; 'afternoon' is when he removes the incense pan.
What are the connotations of the word "u've'Mitznefes Bad Yitznof"?
Rashi and Targum Onkelos: It means 'place on his head'. 1
Ramban: It means 'wind round his head'. 2
Similar to Bereishis 39:16 (Rashi). See Ramban's objection to this explanation and R. Chavel's footnotes.
Seeing as it is a turban.
Why does the Torah insert the (otherwise superfluous) phrase "Bigdei Kodesh Heim"?
Yoma, 32a: To teach us that, since the Begadim are holy, the Kohen Gadol is obligated to Tovel and perform two Kidushim each time he changes them. 1
Sifra: It is a Binyan Av - to teach us that they must be purchased from Hekdesh funds. 2
How often does the Kohen Gadol Tovel and perform Kidush Yadayim ve'Raglayim and feet on Yom Kipur?
Why did he Tovel and perform Kidush Yadayim ve'Raglayim now?
Refer to 16:244:1:1.
Assuming that the Tevilah and the Kidush Yadayim ve'Raglayim is due to the fact that the Kohen Gadol is changing to clothes that are more holy, why does he Tovel both when changing from the Bigdei Lavan to the Bigdei Zahav, and from the Bigdei Zahav to the Bigdei Lavan?
Oznayim la'Torah: Because, on the one hand, the Bigdei Zahav are more Kadosh than the Bigdei Lavan, since they include the additional four Begadim - particularly the Tzitz, on which is written 'Kodesh la'Hashem'; whilst on the other, the Bigdei Lavan are more holy, inasmuch that the Kohen Gadol enters the Kodesh Kodashim with them and they do not contain gold.
What is the significance of the ten Kidushei Yadayim ve'Raglayim?
Moshav Zekenim (in Pasuk 18): They correspond to the ten times that the Kohen Gadol pronounces Hashem's Shem ha'Meforash on Yom Kipur - three in each of the three Viduyim, and once when he says "Chatas la'Shem" after drawing the lots.
Having just written "Yilbash", why does the Torah insert the (otherwise superfluous) word "u'Leveisham"?
Zevachim, 19b: To teach us that it is only wearing the four Bigdei Lavan that is crucial to the Avodah, but not the Tevilos and the Kidushin (in the afternoon). 1
Yerushalmi Yoma, 7:3: "u'Leveisham"? is the acronym of 'u'Valu Sham' ('they shall whither there) - placing a prohibiton on subsequent Kohanim Gedolim against using the Bigdei Lavan that their predecessor used. 2
Refer to 16:4:1:1*.
Why does it say "Bad" (linen) four times?
Hadar Zekenim (citing Toras Kohanim): This excludes four garments (the Choshen, Efod, Me'il and Tzitz, which contain gold).
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes that the Kohen Gadol did not wear gold in the Kodesh Kodashim, for 'Ein Kateigor Na'aseh Saneigor.' The gold Mizbe'ach was in the Heichal (and it is essential for Avodas Yom Kipur)! A calf was brought for the Milu'im, to atone for Chet ha'Egel, and also Par Yom Kipur does!
Moshav Zekenim: The inner Mizbe'ach was not only for Kaparah, the way Bigdei Kehunah and Yom Kipur atone. Also, there is more concern for the Kohen Gadol, similar to Aharon. 1 A Korban on the Mizbe'ach surely atones, just like a Chatas atones for Chet.
Why did he need to say this? A Kohen Hedyot never wears gold; all Kohanim may offer Ketores on the gold Mizbe'ach! (PF)
Rashi writes that the Kohen Gadol did not wear gold in the Kodesh Kodashim, for 'Ein Kateigor Na'aseh Saneigor.' He wears gold when offering the Temidim of Yom Kipur, and he uses gold Kelim, e.g. the incense pan and spoons!
Moshav Zekenim: Bigdei Kehunah atone. The other Kelim do not atone. Since the Tamid is brought with gold garments the entire year 1 , also now we are not concerned.
The Kohen Gadol is allowed to serve whenever he wants; only on Yom Kipur he must serve. The daily lotteries imply that normally, Hedyotim offered the Tamid! (PF)
