Tefillin in the Sanctuary
The Torah requires the Priestly garments to be worn directly on the flesh (yilbash al besaro). This creates a unique halachic challenge regarding Tefillin:
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Tefillin shel Rosh (Head): The Talmud (Zevachim 19a) explains that there was just enough space between the Mitznefes (turban) and the Tzitz (golden headplate) for the Kohen Gadol to place his Tefillin. Thus, the head Tefillin were indeed worn during service.
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Tefillin shel Yad (Arm): The arm Tefillin, however, could not be worn during the Avodah (service). Because the sleeve of the priestly tunic (Ketonet) must touch the skin directly, the Tefillin would constitute a chatzitzah (interposition/interruption). One cannot place them under the sleeve, nor over it. Since the shel Yad and shel Rosh are considered independent mitzvos, the Kohen would perform the service wearing only the head Tefillin.
The Question of Tzitzis
The absence of Tzitzis on the Priestly garments is a subject of much discussion among the commentators. Several reasons are proposed for why the Kohanim did not add them:
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The Uniform is Fixed: The Torah is precise—an ordinary Kohen wears exactly four garments, and the Kohen Gadol wears exactly eight. Adding a four-cornered garment like a Tallis Katan would violate the prohibition of Bal Tosif (adding to the law) and alter the required sacred uniform.
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Communal Ownership: The mitzvah of Tzitzis applies to "your" garment (kanfei kesuscha). Because the Priestly vestments were purchased with communal funds (Terumas HaLishkah), they were technically "borrowed" by the Kohen and did not meet the requirement of personal ownership.
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Preservation of Sanctity: The garments of the Kohen Gadol reached the floor. If Tzitzis were attached, they would drag on the ground, which is generally considered disrespectful to the fringes. While the Temple floor itself was holy, the risk of degradation was avoided.
Living the Remembrance
Ultimately, the primary purpose of Tzitzis is to serve as a visual reminder: "that you may look upon it and remember all the commandments."
A Kohen engaged in the Avodah is not merely remembering the mitzvos; he is actively living them in their most intense, direct form. When one is standing in the presence of the King and performing His service, the symbolic reminder is superseded by the reality of the experience.
Summary
In this discussion on Parshat Tetzaveh, we address how universal mitzvos like Tefillin and Tzitzis applied to the Kohanim while they served in the Beit Hamikdash. While the head Tefillin were worn, the arm Tefillin and Tzitzis were omitted due to the specific laws of the Priestly uniform and the status of communal property. Philosophically, the "remembrance" provided by Tzitzis is fulfilled by the immersive nature of the Temple service itself.