the dignity kittel
I used to spend Christmas volunteering at a temporary homeless shelter in London that provided basic services and support. In amongst the medical and dental care, food, hairdressing, there was a large clothing section. The guests could choose an outfit, and my job was to make sure that these garments fitted them properly, so when they stepped out in their new suit, they looked smart and dignified. We were instructed to make sure that they didn’t look like they were wearing hand-me-downs. The shelter also supplied practical warm coats, but by ensuring that there were people there to make adjustments, they recognised that clothing doesn’t just provide protection against the elements.
The ethical commandment to clothe the naked is an act of chesed - acts of loving kindness that we do for each other. Clothing gives protection against the cold and the wind, but it also removes the vulnerability of being exposed. The shame of nakedness is the discomfort of having nowhere to hide and one’s frailty and imperfections are open to judgement, scorn and derision. Clothing is a way of conferring status and basic human dignity.
In Rambam’s code for giving to charity where he lists a hierarchy of charitable giving, he recommends that one shouldn’t just provide basic clothing but it is important to provide clothing of the status that the person was used to, before they lost their money and become in need of charity.
This kittel has the elements of the white business shirt and tie. This is the uniform of the the smartly dressed, respectable professional. But the details - the collar and the tie are disappearing into the garment. Status is transient and can be removed should one’s life circumstances change. Our honour and status are not permanent but shifting and unstable, dependent on our relationship with others. Without clothing masking and layering over our vulnerabilities, we are naked.
The ethical commandment to clothe the naked is an act of chesed - acts of loving kindness that we do for each other. Clothing gives protection against the cold and the wind, but it also removes the vulnerability of being exposed. The shame of nakedness is the discomfort of having nowhere to hide and one’s frailty and imperfections are open to judgement, scorn and derision. Clothing is a way of conferring status and basic human dignity.
In Rambam’s code for giving to charity where he lists a hierarchy of charitable giving, he recommends that one shouldn’t just provide basic clothing but it is important to provide clothing of the status that the person was used to, before they lost their money and become in need of charity.
This kittel has the elements of the white business shirt and tie. This is the uniform of the the smartly dressed, respectable professional. But the details - the collar and the tie are disappearing into the garment. Status is transient and can be removed should one’s life circumstances change. Our honour and status are not permanent but shifting and unstable, dependent on our relationship with others. Without clothing masking and layering over our vulnerabilities, we are naked.
