Where does a Kohen shop for clothes? Surely that's unnecessary - they wear very specific uniforms, no? The Kohen should just be able to pick one up on the way into the Beit Hamikdash and serve, right?!
This is not the case - highlighted by Rashi who notes the special word used to describe one of the clothing requirements in Vayikra 6:3
"וְלָבַ֨שׁ הַכֹּהֵ֜ן מִדּ֣וֹ בַ֗ד וּמִֽכְנְסֵי־בַד֮ יִלְבַּ֣שׁ עַל־בְּשָׂרוֹ֒…"
“The priest shall dress in his linen robe, with linen breeches next to his body…”
Rashi: His linen robe - this is what is elsewhere termed the כתונת, the undercoat; and why then is it here called מדו? To intimate that it must be made to his measure.
The Kohen can’t just pick up a standard uniform ‘off the shelf’ - it has to be measured for him precisely. Why are we so concerned about the undercoat fitting the Kohen perfectly? After all - it’s an impersonal uniform and an undergarment!
I believe there is a deep question that Rashi is highlighting for us here - do we treat our Judaism as ‘one size fits all’ or do we take care to make sure it fits?
Rashi on the source Gemara in Yoma notes that the garment can’t drag or be too short. Are we putting in the effort to make sure that our personalized Jewish experience doesn’t ‘drag’ or ‘fall short’?
No one can see our inner intentions - especially when we’re ‘wearing the uniform’ - but our service, connection and mission can be completely off course. We have to make sure it fits and feels good.
“When we forget the essence of our own soul… everything becomes confused and in doubt. The primary teshuva, that which immediately lights the darkness, is when a person returns to himself, to the root of his soul – then he will immediately return to God, to the soul of all souls.” - Rav Kook
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