In this week’s Torah portion, parshat Tetzaveh, we read about the sacred clothes made for Aaron and his sons who are going to be the priests. It says that these vestments provide them glory and splendor (Exodus 28:1). It is clear that there are many layers of meaning behind all of the layers of the clothing of the priest, but do the clothes make the man? Would the same people who are holy enough to serve as intermediaries for the Israelites be up to doing their job if it were not for the clothes?
It does seem true that clothing gives you a social context to understanding someone’s role in society. So while wearing certain clothes does not determine the color of your character, it might inspire you to act the part.
Just as the priests are set apart in a special space with their special duties, Adam and Eve were set apart in the Garden of Eden charged to have dominion over nature. It is only after they eat from the Tree of Knowledge that they become uncomfortably aware of their being naked. Mark Twain once said, “Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.” If you hope to make a change in the world try to dress the part. Try an experiment of dressing up one day. See if people treat you differently. But, even more importantly, see if you act differently. What you wear can transform your self image and, in turn, transform you.
Said to Myself 
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