Dear all,

Last weekend saw the Oscars, and photos from the red carpet show a procession of fantastic clothing creations. A lot is expressed with all those glamorous suits and dress: power, cool, humility, humour, class, vintage – and wealth.

On a comparable theme, this week’s parashah of tetzaveh describes in great detail the clothes that the High Priest was to wear in the Temple: the apron-like ephod, with straps, gold fittings, and decorated belt; the breastplate, or choshen, set with gemstones; and the golden heaplate, the tzitz, engraved with the words ‘Holy to God’. These garments are talked about with reverence – an integral part of the Temple worship of God.

They were necessary for the High Priest to be able to perform his sacred duty, but the rabbis don’t say in detail quite how. Did the High Priest actually become holier when he was wearing his gold clothes? Was the purpose to elevate him in the eyes of other Jews? Were all those priceless materials the trappings of an elite leader – or did they give him the confidence he needed to take on the burden of his task?

Perhaps the answer is that the High Priests’ garments did all of those things, at different times, and for different holders of the role. Oscar winners, High Priests, and the rest of us, all use our clothes to help ourselves navigate an imperfect world.

Shabbat shalom,

Tim