יחזקאל, פרק מ״ד, פסוק י״ז

The holiness of serving in the Temple requires careful attention not only to who performs the work but also to what they wear. Strict boundaries define the types of fabrics permitted within the most sacred spaces, ensuring that the garments match the spiritual weight of the environment.

Commentators debate exactly when and where these clothing restrictions apply. One approach suggests the rules refer to the High Priest's service on the Day of Atonement, specifically within the Sanctuary and the Holy of Holies [רש״י, מצודת דוד, צאינה וראינה]. According to this perspective, the Sanctuary acts as a courtyard only in comparison to the deeper, more sacred Holy of Holies, and moving inward means entering the Holy of Holies itself [מצודת דוד, רש״י]. However, others challenge this view by pointing out that the instructions are directed at a group, whereas only a single High Priest enters the inner sanctuary on the Day of Atonement. Because of this, they explain that the rules represent a new law intended for the future Temple. In this context, the inner court is understood literally as the area where the priests serve and the altar stands [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Regarding the garments themselves, the priests are required to wear pure white linen. They must completely avoid wool, including the blue wool threads typically woven into standard priestly clothing, and they certainly cannot wear any other fabrics [רש״י, מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

This specific change in attire carries multiple layers of meaning. In terms of their standing, regular priests in the future will achieve a spiritual level similar to that of the High Priest. As a result, they will earn the privilege of wearing the same pure linen garments he wore during the inner service on the Day of Atonement [מלבי״ם]. On a practical level, wool warms the body and causes sweating, a physical reaction considered inappropriate during such sacred, inner work [מלבי״ם]. Finally, on a spiritual level, wool represents strict justice, whereas linen symbolizes kindness and mercy. In the future, the Temple service will operate entirely on the foundation of pure kindness. Therefore, the priests will wear only linen to reflect a new reality governed by complete mercy [אהבת יהונתן].