שמות, פרק ל״א, פסוק י׳

The preparation of the Tabernacle required a variety of sacred fabrics, with a clear distinction made between different types of woven cloth. A particular set of garments is mentioned separately from the clothing designated for Aaron and his sons, raising questions about their true purpose. The primary approach among commentators is that these were not articles of clothing worn by the priests at all. Instead, they were protective cloths designed to cover the holy vessels—such as the Ark, the Table, the Menorah, and the altars—shielding them from rain and dust while the Israelites traveled through the desert [רש"י, אבן עזרא, רשב"ם, בכור שור, רלב"ג, שד"ל, נתינה לגר]. This idea is supported by the materials used to make them. These fabrics were woven exclusively from blue, purple, and scarlet threads, completely lacking the linen that was an essential component of all standard priestly garments [רש"י, ביאור יש"ר].

The specific name given to these fabrics offers clues to their exact nature. Some explain the term by looking to the Aramaic language, suggesting it refers to a network, netting, or perforated fabric [רש"י, רשב"ם, לבוש האורה, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Others connect the word to the concept of a remainder or leftover. According to this view, once the main construction of the Tabernacle was finished, the artisans took the remaining raw materials and wove them into simple sheets. Because they were made from leftover threads, they had no predefined measurements and simply served as practical travel covers [חזקוני, הכתב והקבלה, אדרת אליהו].

However, another group of scholars firmly rejects the idea that these were merely travel covers, aligning instead with the Talmudic tradition that identifies them as the actual garments of the priests [רמב"ן, הטור הארוך, דעת זקנים, רבנו בחיי, פרדס יוסף, ברכת אשר על התורה]. They argue that God would not command the creation of protective covers without specifying their exact dimensions or quantities. Furthermore, the instruction explicitly mentions serving in the holy place. This phrase strongly implies the internal, spiritual work of offering sacrifices, rather than the physical labor of carrying loads outside the Tabernacle [רמב"ן, הטור הארוך, רש"ר הירש].

Following this approach, the unique name of these garments takes on a different meaning, rooted in the idea of distinction and separation. Rather than leftover materials, these were garments of uniqueness or royal clothing. Their purpose was to elevate the High Priest—the most distinct individual of his generation—and separate him completely from the rest of the nation for the sake of holy service [רמב"ן, הטור הארוך, רש"ר הירש]. An additional thought complements this idea, suggesting the term is simply derived from the word for service, as these were the specific clothes worn to serve the holy vessels [רבנו בחיי, רלב"ג].