Interestingly, the Tzitz HaKodesh, Holy Head-plate worn by the Kohen Gadol, is referred to as a nezer, crown/diadem, while the crown worn by a king is called an atarah. Why is the Kohen Gadol’s crown called a nezer, and the crown of the Melech Yisrael, King of Yisrael, called an atarah? Horav Moshe Nechemiah Kahanov, zl, distinguishes between these two terms in the sense that their functions are not similar. The nezer, which is wrapped around the forehead does not, in fact, cover the entire head. In the case of the Kohen Gadol, it was a gold plate with Hashem’s Name on it, and it was wrapped around the head. An atarah is a crown that sits on top of the head, engulfing the entire head.
The dichotomy between the two is based upon the individual function of each person. The Kohen Gadol is supposed to be gadol meichaveirav, greatest of his brothers, the Kohanim. He must tower above them in learning and yiraas Shomayim, fear of Heaven. His focus, however, is primarily in the area of the spirit. Mundane knowledge, secular wisdom, knowledge of worldly disciples, is not his forte. He is a holy man who dedicates his life to sanctity and spiritual development. He is the one to whom Klal Yisrael looks up to for guidance and inspiration. Therefore, he wears a nezer, which represents what it covers: the mind, Torah wisdom and fear of Heaven.
The king of Yisrael plays a dual role. He must be replete in Torah knowledge and a G-d-fearing person. He must also be worldly, well-versed, and erudite in the mundane/worldly disciplines of languages and wisdom. He represents the Jewish People to the world community. As such, he must be an individual who is comfortable outside of the confines of the Sanctuary – as well as inside. Thus, he wears an atarah, which represents a total head-covering, reflecting the roles that a king must encompass.
In his eulogy for Sir Moses Montefiore, Rav Kahanov applied this thesis to describe an individual who was replete in his fear of the Almighty, love of His People, and uncanny devotion to their every need. He was also a person who was well-versed in worldly wisdom, commerce, politics and diplomacy. He was a champion of the Jewish People at a time when the old Yishuv, settlement in Yerushalayim, was suffering through the labor throes of its exponential growth. Sir Moses was there as a loving father, friend and diplomat.
This, explained Rav Kahanov, is what is meant by naflah ateres rosheinu, “The crown of our head has fallen,” a phrase often quoted at the funeral of a great Torah leader. An individual whose abilities and inspiration were all-encompassing is symbolized by the atarah, the crown that covers the entire head.
