The Kindness of Clothing

THE KINDNESS OF CLOTHING

,םָלוֹעָה ךֶלֶמ וּניֵהֹלֱא הוהי הָּתאַ ךוּרָּב .םיִּמֻרֲע שׁיִּבְלַמ Blessed are You, Adonai, our God, Majesty of the world, who clothes the naked.

LEARNING

This act of kindness, of clothing the naked, is one of the first described in the Torah. In the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve realized they were naked, God provided clothing for them in an act of compassion even though they had flouted God’s will.17

REFLECTION

How can we emulate God by clothing the naked? When we clean out our closets, could we be mindful about the quality of the clothing we donate and to whom we donate it? Are there people in our own community for whom we can provide something new before a holiday, instead of our hand-medowns?

INSPIRATION

The prophet Ezekiel describes the Jewish people as “naked” in the land of Egypt18 – we were naked of spiritual guidance. When we engage in Torah learning, or in creating spiritual moments or opportunities for others, we too are “clothing the naked.” PERSONAL PRAYER

We are born naked of hatred, our soul clothed in love. Each day, may I clothe myself in spirituality through prayer and connection to God. May I cast off evil thoughts and actions, and clothe myself in compassion and kindness. May I shed any layers of judgment and jealousy, and allow the purity of my soul to encompass my entire being.

— Lara Garfinkel,

Vaucluse, Australia

17 Genesis 3:21. 18 Ezekiel 16:7, 22.