From the Rabbi's Desk

We live in a time of unparalleled choice. When we go to the store, we have so many options to choose from in all sorts of realms. When we purchase clothing, we have so many choices. We can choose from so many stores and so many types of clothing. Each of us chooses our clothing based on needs, personalities and tastes. The clothing we choose to wear says a great deal about who we are. The clothing also says a great deal about what we’re doing when we’re wearing it. Bathing suits are clearly appropriate for the pool but aren’t when we go to dinner. Athletic shoes are the go-to for when we work out but not when we go to an important meeting. The list can go on and on… While clothing can seem like such a mundane subject, it’s something of great importance.

פרשת תצוה/Parshat Tetzaveh introduces the concept of specific clothing for a segment of the Jewish people, the Kohenim/priests. These clothes were intended to distinguish the appointed and also to imbue them with a level of holiness. The reality is the Kohenim are/were no holier than the other Israelites (and likewise Jewish people are not “holier” than non-Jewish people). The clothing wasn’t designed so much to make them holy but to help them to see their holiness. The clothing they had to wear amounted to their uniform, and as such, it was there to help them in their work as our messengers, servants and intermediaries. The clothing of the Kohenim would be both functional and meaningful all at one time.

As Jews, we have a “uniform.” Males cover their heads when engaged in Jewish practices and when in synagogues or other sacred spaces. Some of us choose to cover our heads all the time. We wear a Tallit. Our Sephardic practice is to begin wearing it at Bar Mitzvah or even before, while in Ashkenazi tradition wearing a Tallit often doesn’t begin until marriage. There’s so much more to this, but in general it’s crucial to recognize that clothing in Judaism has a purpose. The purpose of our clothes is quite similar to the clothes of the Kohenim, it’s to help us in our sacredness. The clothing we wear is situational and changes from community to community, but nevertheless it’s designed to help us in connecting with God and with our heritage.

(5) A person should not stand with their money-belt ["taska" in the language of this country] on, or with an uncovered head or uncovered legs, if it is the practice of the people of that place not to stand in front of important people unless their legs are covered.  (6) It is the way of scholars (chachamim) and their students not to pray when they are not wrapped (in a tallit?). [Note -- and at a time of anger, there is to clasp one's hands when one prays like a servant before their master. And at a time of peace, there is to adorn oneself in nice clothes to pray. {Tur}] (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Hayim 91:5 – 6) This is the legal basis for how we expect Jews to dress when praying.

The idea is effectively to dress the way it’s appropriate to dress in the presence of an important person in our society. We’re called upon to have our clothing match our situation and that matters. To stand before an “important person” is the example given for how we should “stand before God.” Therefore, clothing does matter. When we dress, we do so not because the clothing is sacred, but because it elevates our attitude and our approach.

Some of you have noticed I’ve chosen over the years to match my kippot to my clothing. I’ve done this because it’s fun and because I like things to be coordinated. Since October 7, I haven’t felt able to do this because it was fun and I haven’t been in a “fun” mood. When I traveled to Israel in November, I purchased four new kippot and those are the only ones I’ve worn since. I also purchased extras of the same styles and have been selling them to raise more money for Israel. We still have a few available for purchase by calling the office.

Our clothing is also a clear way of expressing ourselves. We wear shirts from our favorite bands. We wear clothing in our favorite colors. We wear styles we find fun and exciting. This is a way to express who we are. Many of us wear jewelry with Jewish imagery on it to help show our Jewish pride. The goal needs to be that we continue to do this, and to do it more and more often. We need to wear our Jewish identity with pride and love. We need to see that our clothing is purposeful and meaningful.