Devar/5768/Ki Tavo
From RonWareWiki
< Devar | 5768
עברית
English
A woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment; for whosoever doeth these things is an abomination unto the LORD thy God (Deut 22:5)
The Torah separates us from idolatry even in the manner of dress. For such was the way of idolators -- men would dress as women, and vice versa, and they would perform indecent acts -- all according to their beliefs. In order to confuse between the sexes, that is to say that there is no difference between a man and a woman, and that everything is permitted when it comes to relations.
Therefore the Torah also forbade sexual relations between men: Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind; it is abomination (Lev 18:22), and used the same term for both acts -- wearing the other sex's clothing and male homosexual intercourse -- "abomination".
In the halachah it is written: A woman shall not adorn herself in the manner of a man, for example wearing a turban or helmet, or wearing armor or similar items, or cutting her hair like a man; nor shall a man adorn himself in the manner of a woman, for example wearing colorful clothes and gold bracelets -- in a place where only women are in the habit of wearing those kinds of clothes or bracelets: all according to the custom of the locale. (Laws of Idolatry 12:11)
We are commanded to separate in our manner of dress between men and women -- just as we are commanded to separate from the Gentiles in our manner of dress, and in our behavior. This is the meaning of the word qadosh (usually translated as 'holy') -- separated, so that the nations of the world will look upon the behavior and dress and business dealings of the Jews, and they shall say: 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.' (Deut 4:6)
| Top: Devar | Prev: Shoftim |
Send Ron feedback on this essay.