פרשת תצוה

In this week’s parsha, Tetzaveh, we learn about the clothing of theכהנים,  mainly the כהן גדול's clothes.  The parsha also mentions the menorah and the initiation of theכהנים. All theכהנים  woreקתנת, מכנסים ,מצנפת,  and אבנת.   The כהן גדול  wore additional clothing which is ציץ, מעיל, חושן, אפוד.

This parsha talks so much about clothing and discusses what it should be made out of and so much more.  Why is this parsha so obsessed with what the כהנים  wore?  What is the significance of the clothing?  Why are clothes given such a large space to be talked about?

I am sure there are many reasons but here is one I came up with. Clothing can do so much to express different situations.  The כהנים  were doing Holy work for Hashem so they dressed in the nicest of clothes, just like we dress nicely on Shabbat.  People who are mourning wear clothing that expresses their sadness.  Also, people dress more seriously when approaching a judge or the president, or anyone of importance.  Just as the כהנים  wore special clothes to work for Hashem that was symbolic of their importance, the clothing we wear is also symbolic.  Our clothing can symbolize our bond as a team as all Yavneh teams have uniforms. Our hockey team wears a tie on the day of a game, police and chefs wear clothing to symbolize their jobs, and there are many more examples.

We can apply this lesson to our lives today.  If you are on a team, wear the same clothes as your teammates to symbolize a sense of unity.  If you are going to meet someone you want to impress, dress nicely so you look respectful.  It's always nice to have your outfit match the occasion, so tomorrow morning, dress nicely for the most important day of the week before you go to shul.  And remember, dress to impress!

Shabbat Shalom,

Eric Farbowitz