Inspiration for the Week: Insights from ‘Parshat Tetzaveh’

We Are What We Wear

Clothing is a powerful form of self-expression that both defines and sometimes betrays us. The Hebrew word for clothing, “beged,” also means traitor, hinting at the complex relationship we have with our attire. Our choice of clothing can align us perfectly with a community, providing a sense of belonging and anonymity. Conversely, it can expose our innermost selves, revealing more about our personality, values, and desires than we might intend.

Clothing serves as a silent yet potent form of communication. Without uttering a word, we make statements through our attire, whether intentional or not. People often judge us based on what we wear, how we dress, and the brands we choose. This judgment can be both a blessing and a curse, allowing us to project a desired image or inadvertently revealing aspects of ourselves we’d rather keep hidden.

In Jewish tradition, there’s a certain wariness surrounding the color red, with many Orthodox Jews avoiding it entirely, while others use it sparingly. This caution reflects the power of clothing to convey messages and evoke emotions, even through something as simple as color choice.

The Biblical Perspective

The concept of clothing as both a necessity and a potential source of shame is deeply rooted in biblical tradition. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were initially naked and unashamed, their innocence requiring no cover. However, after their transgression, they experienced embarrassment at their nakedness, prompting God, in His infinite kindness, to provide them with their first garments.

This pivotal moment in biblical history underscores the dual nature of clothing. It serves as a reminder of human fallibility and the need for modesty, while also demonstrating divine compassion and protection.

Clothing as a Tool for Holiness

While clothing can be used for both positive and negative purposes, the Torah introduces another dimension: holiness. In the biblical narrative, priests are instructed to wear specific garments – four for regular priests and eight for the high priest. These garments are to be worn “lechavod uletiferet” – for honor and glory.

The use of priestly garments for honor and glory elevates clothing beyond mere functionality or vanity. It imbues attire with spiritual significance, transforming it into a tool for divine service and a symbol of sacred duty. Commentators have attributed various purposes to these priestly garments:
The Torah explicitly states that the priestly garments were designed “for glory and for splendor” (Exodus 28:2). Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch interpreted each material and color used in the garments as symbolic of different aspects of human existence and spirituality:

• Gold symbolized purity of heart.
• Linen represented physicality and sensuousness.
• Blue wool conveyed spirituality and connection to Heaven.
• Red wool reflected the animalistic, earthly side of humanity.
• Purple wool, a blend of blue and red, symbolized humanity’s dual nature as both physical and spiritual beings.
This symbolism underscored the role of the priests as intermediaries between God and humanity, striving to elevate the physical toward the spiritual.

Some commentators viewed the priestly garments as educational tools. Their intricate design and symbolism served as visual reminders of divine principles. For example, the ephod (a vest-like garment) and choshen (breastplate) were adorned with 12 stones representing the tribes of Israel, reminding both priests and onlookers of their collective responsibility before God. The garments thus became a teaching device, illustrating theological concepts in a tangible form.

The garments were also understood to have an atoning function. Each piece corresponded to a specific sin or virtue:
• The turban atoned for arrogance.
• The belt symbolized readiness for divine service.
• The linen breeches emphasized modesty, covering nakedness as a safeguard against sin.
By wearing these garments during temple service, the priests facilitated atonement not only for themselves but also for the entire nation.

The high priest’s attire, in particular, teaches us that clothing can enable, ennoble, and empower us. It can lift our spirits and help us embody the roles we aspire to fill. This concept extends beyond religious contexts, suggesting that our choice of clothing can influence our mindset and performance in various aspects of life.

The phrase “we are what we wear” encapsulates the profound impact clothing has on our identity and how others perceive us. Clothing can reflect cultural values and norms, creating a pathway for people to express their cultural identity and individuality.

 

Fashion serves as a form of art and architecture, allowing both designers and wearers to express cultural beliefs and opinions. It can be used as a medium for protest, cultural expression, and challenging social norms. And though it can be a tool for self-expression, it can also provide anonymity helping us blend in to a community.

Clothing is far more than mere fabric draped over our bodies. It is a complex language of self-expression, cultural identity, and social signaling. From the biblical fig leaves to the high priest’s ornate garments, from traditional cultural attire to modern fashion statements, what we wear speaks volumes about who we are, who we aspire to be, and the communities we align ourselves with.

As we navigate the intricate relationship between our clothing and our identity, we must remember that our attire can both reveal and conceal, unite and distinguish, elevate and humble. In the end, the power of clothing lies not just in the garments themselves, but in how we choose to wear them and the intentions we infuse into our choices.