Dress For Success
By Rabbi David Polsky

We are all accustomed to dressing professionally for work, whether it means wearing a suit or business casual. Most of us who wear business attire would probably do so even if it were not mandatory. The reason most often given for our sartorial decisions is that we want to look “professional” to others.

In his discussion of the priestly garments, the anonymous author of the Sefer HaChinukh adds another dimension to the importance of dress. If our appearance before other people were the only reason to dress appropriately, we can safely assume that God is beyond caring about what we wear. That being the case, it seems strange that God should command priests to wear special garments when performing their duties. The Sefer HaChinukh answers that the purpose of the priestly vestments are not for God but for the priest. Because we are naturally shaped by our attitudes and activities, the clothes that we choose to wear influence us no less. In the case of the priest, his special garb orients him towards his sacred tasks. Looking at his body and noticing his priestly vestments leads him to contemplate the cosmic significance of his service.