(2003/5763)
In Perek 4 of Sefer Vayikra, the Torah talks about a Kohen who sins. Perek 4 Pasuk 6 says “Vitaval Hakohen Et Etzbao Badam Vihiza… Piney Parochet Hakodesh,” “The Kohen should dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle it towards the Holy Curtain, in order to ask for forgiveness.” Perek 4 Pasuk 13 talks about when all of Bnei Yisrael sin. The Torah then goes on to talk about how the Kohen asks for forgiveness for the nation. In 4:17 it says “Vitaval HaKohen… Et Pnei Haparochet,” “The Kohen should dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle it towards the curtain.” Why doesn’t the Torah in 4:17 say the Holy Curtain as it did earlier?
Rashi answers with the following parable. There is a country where the people rebel against the king. If the minority of the people rebel, then the king’s government is still intact. However, if the majority of the people rebel, then the government can no longer exist. Here, when the Kohen Gadol sins, the status of the Curtain is still a “Holy Curtain.” However, when all of Bnei Yisrael sin, the holiness of the curtain leaves. We can learn that we should not sin, because if we do, Hashem’s holiness will depart. However, there is always room to do Teshuva, through which the holiness will hopefully return.