Do the Clothes Make the Person?
In these strange days, all of us seem to embrace the way of the talk show host for our online meetings–a kind of sartorial mullet—all business up top, and all comfort down below the desk where the camera cannot fathom our laziness. I find myself torn between enjoying the small concessions of waistless clothing that provide a bit of ease in troubled times, and ramping up typical office dress to energize the spirit of my work-from-home. In this week’s parasha, Tzav, we learn a great deal about the garb of the Kohanim—the priestly officiants of the ancient Temple. The specificity and uniqueness of their “uniforms” reflect two key needs shared by all who don special clothing: Identifying their role to others, and helping the wearer to better inhabit that role publicly. A visible jacket and tie over velour sweats will shock fashionistas into seizure, but they aptly characterize the conflicted times in which we currently live.
Rabbi Daniel Weiner