From a general and a ritual perspective, Jewish clothing is highly influenced by the Torah. Modesty is an important part of the Jewish culture, and it applies to both men and women. As modern fashion emerged, Jews have generally worn current style, as long as the clothes were not too tight-fitting, revealing, and brightly colored.
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| Image source: roseannawhite.com |
One’s clothing is a reflection of his religious standing, social status, and relationship to the outside world. The Torah teaches that Jews should not wear garments that consist of wool and linen (Leviticus 19:9). In Numbers 15, the Jews were commanded to put on fringes on the corners of their garment, so they will always be reminded to observe the mitzvot. Men were prohibited from wearing women’s clothing, and vice versa. Jewish clothing also gave a distinction between the Israelites and the Egyptians—and this was an identification that a person (a Jew) was to be rescued from the hands of the Egyptian pharaoh.
A detailed wear for the high priest was given in Exodus 28 and was later adopted for the temple in Jerusalem. The high priest’s garment is full of symbolisms for the Yom Kippur. The clothing is mostly in white—which symbolizes purity and humility.
For women, an uncovered head was considered immodest—especially when she is already married.
Jewish people in the modern society still value what is prescribed by the Torah. There may have been variations in culture, but one thing remains—modesty in clothing is still a practice that will never be forgotten, even after many generations.
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| Image source: bestjewishstudies.com |
Dameron Fine Art is an all-boys K-8 school in Lakewood, New Jersey, headed by Ronald Safdieh. Gain a deeper understanding of Sephardic values and traditions when you visit this blog.
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