יחזקאל, פרק מ״ד, פסוק י״ח

The clothing worn by the priests during their sacred service is designed to strike a careful balance between majestic beauty and practical cleanliness. The detailed guidelines regarding the type of fabric and the way the garments are worn ensure that the priests serve in the most honorable and pure manner possible, completely free from dirt and sweat.

To achieve this standard, the priests wear linen hats on their heads. These headpieces are specifically recognized for their ability to grant beauty, splendor, and majesty to the wearer [מצודת ציון, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ, אברבנאל]. Along with these hats, the priests are instructed to wear linen pants. These pants must be loose-fitting, covering the lower body from the waist down to the thighs [רד״ק, אברבנאל].

A major focus of the priestly dress code is the strict prevention of sweat [מצודת ציון, מלבי״ם, רד״ק]. The primary approach among commentators, drawing on ancient tradition, views this as a highly specific instruction regarding the placement of the priest's belt. To avoid heavy sweating, the priests must not tie their belts around areas of the body where flesh naturally folds or overlaps [מצודת דוד]. Consequently, the belt should not be fastened too low, below the waist, nor too high, above the elbows. Instead, the most appropriate and clean location to secure the belt is right at the level of the elbows, around the area of the chest and heart [רש״י, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ, אברבנאל]. This careful placement ensures that the sacred garments are not soiled by perspiration [מצודת דוד].

While the main approach focuses on the position of the belt, another perspective understands the restriction on sweat as a broader ban on the use of warm materials. According to this view, the priests are forbidden from wearing wool garments altogether, as wool naturally heats the body and causes it to sweat [רש״י].