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Leviticus 16:4 - Kohen's sacred linen attire ritual

Leviticus 16:4 - ויקרא 16:4

Hebrew Text

כְּתֹנֶת־בַּד קֹדֶשׁ יִלְבָּשׁ וּמִכְנְסֵי־בַד יִהְיוּ עַל־בְּשָׂרוֹ וּבְאַבְנֵט בַּד יַחְגֹּר וּבְמִצְנֶפֶת בַּד יִצְנֹף בִּגְדֵי־קֹדֶשׁ הֵם וְרָחַץ בַּמַּיִם אֶת־בְּשָׂרוֹ וּלְבֵשָׁם׃

English Translation

He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: these are holy garments; therefore shall he bathe his flesh in water, and so put them on.

Transliteration

Ketonet-bad kodesh yilbash u-michnesei-vad yihyu al-besaro u-ve-avnet bad yachgor u-ve-mitznefet bad yitznof bigdei-kodesh hem ve-rachatz ba-mayim et-besaro u-levisham.

Hebrew Leining Text

כְּתֹֽנֶת־בַּ֨ד קֹ֜דֶשׁ יִלְבָּ֗שׁ וּמִֽכְנְסֵי־בַד֮ יִהְי֣וּ עַל־בְּשָׂרוֹ֒ וּבְאַבְנֵ֥ט בַּד֙ יַחְגֹּ֔ר וּבְמִצְנֶ֥פֶת בַּ֖ד יִצְנֹ֑ף בִּגְדֵי־קֹ֣דֶשׁ הֵ֔ם וְרָחַ֥ץ בַּמַּ֛יִם אֶת־בְּשָׂר֖וֹ וּלְבֵשָֽׁם׃
כְּתֹֽנֶת־בַּ֨ד קֹ֜דֶשׁ יִלְבָּ֗שׁ וּמִֽכְנְסֵי־בַד֮ יִהְי֣וּ עַל־בְּשָׂרוֹ֒ וּבְאַבְנֵ֥ט בַּד֙ יַחְגֹּ֔ר וּבְמִצְנֶ֥פֶת בַּ֖ד יִצְנֹ֑ף בִּגְדֵי־קֹ֣דֶשׁ הֵ֔ם וְרָחַ֥ץ בַּמַּ֛יִם אֶת־בְּשָׂר֖וֹ וּלְבֵשָֽׁם׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Garments of the Kohen Gadol

The verse describes the sacred linen garments worn by the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) during the Yom Kippur service. According to Rashi (Vayikra 16:4), these garments were exclusively reserved for the most sacred day of the year, emphasizing the unique sanctity of Yom Kippur. The Torah specifies that these garments must be made of bad (linen), a material associated with purity and humility, as opposed to the more ornate golden garments worn on other occasions.

Symbolism of the Linen Garments

The Rambam (Hilchos Klei HaMikdash 8:1-2) explains that the simplicity of the linen garments reflects the Kohen Gadol's role as a penitent on Yom Kippur, seeking atonement for himself and all of Israel. The Talmud (Yoma 23b) further notes that linen garments do not harbor insects, symbolizing freedom from sin and spiritual contamination.

  • Ketonet Bad (Linen Tunic): Represents purity, as white linen is associated with atonement (Zohar, Acharei Mot).
  • Michnesei Bad (Linen Breeches): Covering the lower body signifies modesty and restraint from improper desires (Ramban, Vayikra 16:4).
  • Avnet Bad (Linen Sash): Symbolizes service and dedication, as a belt signifies readiness for labor (Malbim, Vayikra 16:4).
  • Mitznefet Bad (Linen Turban): Represents humility before Hashem, as a crown signifies submission to divine authority (Kli Yakar, Vayikra 16:4).

The Requirement of Immersion (Tevilah)

The verse concludes with the instruction that the Kohen Gadol must immerse in water before donning these garments. The Midrash (Toras Kohanim 16:4) teaches that this immersion signifies spiritual purification, preparing him to enter the Holy of Holies. The Rambam (Hilchos Avodas Yom HaKippurim 2:1) emphasizes that this tevilah was obligatory before every change of garments during the Yom Kippur service, reinforcing the need for renewed sanctity at each stage of the avodah.

Contrast with the Golden Garments

The Talmud (Yoma 34b) contrasts these linen garments with the Kohen Gadol's golden vestments, explaining that the golden garments atoned for different sins (e.g., the Choshen for unjust judgments, the Ephod for idolatry), while the white linen garments atoned for more hidden and internal transgressions. This duality reflects the balance between external splendor and inner purity in divine service.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Yoma 23b
The verse is referenced in the discussion about the high priest's garments and the requirement for him to wear linen garments on Yom Kippur.
📖 Zevachim 17b
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the sanctity of the priestly garments and the proper attire for service in the Temple.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the significance of the Kohen Gadol wearing linen garments on Yom Kippur?
A: The linen garments worn by the Kohen Gadol on Yom Kippur symbolize purity and humility before Hashem. Unlike his regular golden garments, these simple white clothes (called 'bigdei lavan') represent atonement and spiritual cleansing. Rashi explains that linen is chosen because it is a modest material, fitting for the solemn service of the day.
Q: Why does the Kohen Gadol need to bathe before putting on these garments?
A: The Torah commands the Kohen Gadol to immerse in a mikveh (ritual bath) before wearing the holy garments to achieve the highest level of purity (taharah). The Rambam (Hilchos Klei HaMikdash 10:1) teaches that this immersion, along with washing his hands and feet at the laver, prepares him spiritually to perform the sacred Yom Kippur service in the Temple.
Q: What do the four linen garments of the Kohen Gadol represent?
A: The four white linen garments - the tunic (ketonet), pants (michnasayim), sash (avnet), and turban (mitznefet) - correspond to the four garments of an ordinary Kohen, but made entirely of linen for Yom Kippur. The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 21:11) connects these to spiritual concepts: the tunic represents atonement for bloodshed, the pants for immorality, the sash for improper thoughts, and the turban for arrogance.
Q: How does this verse connect to how we observe Yom Kippur today?
A: While we no longer have the Temple service, we emulate the Kohen Gadol's purity by wearing white on Yom Kippur (many wear a kittel) and focusing on spiritual cleansing. The Talmud (Yoma 23a) teaches that just as the Kohen Gadol's garments atoned for sins, our sincere repentance (teshuvah), prayer (tefillah), and charity (tzedakah) serve the same purpose today.