Timeless Torah

This week’s Biblical reading describes in painstaking detail the Priestly garmrnts, still it is not the Torah’s first ‘fashion’ statement. Clothing (in its current form) was introduced after Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit when, “Their eyes were opened and they realized they were naked.” This represented a drastic change from seven verses earlier when,“They were naked...and they were not ashamed.” What altered their perspective? The Tree of Knowledge!

Prior to the sin, the concept of clothing also existed. Indeed, the original and ideal garment was built into Adam, It was the human body that ‘clothed’ the Divine soul. But then, man’s skin was quite different. It was made of nail, which is why Adam did not physically require external clothes to protect him from the harsh, natural elements. In addition, the earlier prototype of skin was also translucent so that the light of the soul could shine through.

But then came the sin. The skin lost its natural protection, and the body became opaque. As a consequence, the soul’s light was diminished and the new clothing of skin allowed man to be mistaken for just another two-legged animal.

Originally, when Adam looked at Eve (and vice-versa) he saw a soul with all of its attendant godly powers of intelligence, kindness, etc. Now the first thing he noticed were her reproductive organs. The sight of these made them both very self-conscious, as they were a reminder of their original folly. More embarrassing was the automatic response that it triggered. Whereas, the original couple would at first perceive the Divine in each other and be inspired to act accordingly, now one glimpse merely induced animalistic sensations and drives.

For Adam and Eve this was spiritual regression. So they took a defensive approach and covered their private parts to shield their hedonistic impulse. But G-d saw that it was not proper for man to slink around shamefaced, trying to cover up, but in reality only exaggerating his former recklessness.
In order to dignify Man again, Hashem upgraded the first human invention and created proper garments that would imitate the purpose of the original clothes (the flesh). Instead of designing an outfit that conceals the body’s more animal organs, G-d fashioned leather garments, or as the Bible puts it, “overalls of animal skins,” that would reveal the soul. Now, a fully dressed person has only two uncovered areas; the most uniquely human and G-dly areas, i.e., the face and hands.
Proper clothing is meant to again reveal that which is pure within man And to inspire actions that reflect that.

If an alien were to observe our world. What is the first difference he would see that separates humans and all other creatures? Only we change our outerwear from moment to moment. Adam and Chava sinned because they allowed their animalistic inclinations to dominate. External clothing was thus manadated, instituting a constant reminder that we should emulate G-d, rather tha behave like animals. Clothing (modest or otherwise) is society’s most eloquent expression of divine striving or animalistic perversion. Therefore, the need to enhance our divinity through our clothing, rather than our sensuality is paramount.
We can now understand the fascination that society has in using clothing as a means for enhancing sensuality. Sensuality is a sophisticated word that describes our animal instinct. Evil thus attacks the very expression that could make us G-d-like, and perverts it into animal lusts.
When the Isralites worshipped the Golden Calf - like Adam and Eve before them - they gave license to their animal side. At that point, the family of Aaron, most fulfilled the role of being, “A kingdom of priests.” Considering the the importance that G-d placed upon clothing as the most overt difference between the human and the animal, it makes sense that the Kohanim would be further differentiated by their clothing which expressed the divine capacity that each of us has to elevate our animal side and make it G-d-like.
Beautiful garments are in part Torah psychology. A person is influenced by his external environment, such as ornate Temple implements and beautiful clothing. Modern research confirms man’s willingness to conform to his surroundings. By openly proclaiming the Jews loyalty and dedication to the service of Hashem, the clearly delineated the priorities of Jewish life. Distinctive Jewish wear worn properly who is the heir of Aharon not genetically, but spiritually our clothes became a statement of the Jewish pursuit of holiness in human life.

Clothing proclaims our Jewish values. Clothes that are provocative, that are vulgar, immodest are frowned upon by Jewish tradition. In that sense, perhaps we can all agree that clothes do make the man.