Peninim Yekarim suggests that the golden bells were symbolic of wealth, while the pomegranates represented mitzvos and good deeds. Indeed, Chazal in the Talmud Berachos 57 state that every Jew is as full of mitzvos as a pomegranate has seeds. The bells were alternated with the pomegranates all around the hem of the Kohen Gadol’s tunic. We derive from this pasuk that only when wealth is integrated with mitzvos and good deeds does it serve a purpose and benefit the world.
In Shir Ha’Shirim 6:7, Shlomo Ha’Melech says, “As many as a pomegranate’s seeds are the merits of your unworthiest.” The Midrash explains that even the illiterate Jew performs mitzvos and is as replete with merits as a pomegranate has seeds. Let us think about this. If they are filled with mitzvos, why are they considered empty and unworthy? Also, what is the analogy of the pomegranate? Horav Y.D. Povarsky, Shlita, distinguishes between an apple and a pomegranate in order to demonstrate the concepts of synthesis and unity. An apple is a single entity in which the entire fruit is unified together. The pomegranate, on the other hand, is a conglomerate of seeds, each seed exclusive of the other, “wrapped” individually, but amalgamated into one outer shell/fruit. This is analogous to one who performs a mitzvah, but does not fuse that mitzvah into his being to the point that he and the mitzvah become melded together as one. The essence of mitzvah observance is to change us so that we become consecrated. This occurs when we perform mitzvos with the proper kavanah, intention, and the right attitude. True, the reikim, unworthy ones, have mitzvos. They are, however, still viewed as vacuous and unworthy, since these mitzvos were not performed l’shem Shomayim. The performer does not intend to merge himself with the mitzvah to become a single unit.
As the outer skin of the pomegranate serves only as a container for the separate seeds, so, too, does an individual who simply performs mitzvos without “connecting ” with them remain unworthy. These mitzvos, like the skin of the pomegranates leave no
lasting impression on the individual.
