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In Genesis 27, Isaac is getting ready to transfer Jewish leadership to his son, Esau, who is clearly unsuitable for the position according to the Torah.
Jacob, his twin brother, though flawed, is actually fit for the role.
Seeing the impending situation, Rebecca, Isaac’s wife and the twins’ mother, steps in. (Check out the video at the top of this article.)
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She instructs Jacob to disguise himself as Esau to receive the blessing meant for him.
Her crucial advice? Wear Esau’s finest garments.
The Torah devotes entire chapters to the garments of the high priest—detailing the thread colors, fabrics, accessories, and even undergarment design,” says author Mark Gerson. (iStock)
Isaac is blind, so he won’t recognize Jacob by sight. But why the disguise?
Because Rebecca knows a key insight: To act like someone, you need to feel like that person.
And to feel like that person, you have to dress the part.
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The plan works. Jacob dons the clothes and gets the blessing.
The Torah is not just narrating a tale; it’s imparting knowledge. Later sections focus intently on the high priest’s clothing, emphasizing the significance of colors, materials, and accessories involved.
These garments aren’t mere decorative items; they serve as tools for transformation.
“The Torah isn’t simply telling a story; it’s conveying an important principle,” the author notes. Clothing can act as “instruments of transformation.” (iStock)
The priest doesn’t just appear holy. By wearing sacred attire, he starts to feel holy, which ultimately influences his actions.
The Torah recognized long before modern science that clothing affects mindsets.
Students dressed in business attire were more effective negotiators than those in casual wear.
In 2012, Northwestern researchers conducted a study where participants were given white coats.
Some believed they wore a painter’s coat, while others thought it was a doctor’s coat.
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Those who thought they wore a doctor’s coat performed significantly better on focus-demanding tasks.
A similar Yale experiment showed that students in business suits had far greater success in negotiations than those in casual outfits.
Sports enthusiasts are familiar with this concept.
The notion is termed “enclothed cognition”: “the belief that our attire influences our thoughts, feelings, and performance,” states the author. (iStock)
This is why football stadiums are filled with fans wearing jerseys of their favorite players.
Athletes recognize that their outfits can influence their performance.
Psychologists refer to this phenomenon as “enclothed cognition,” which suggests that what we wear affects our mental and emotional state as well as our performance.
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When feeling down, individuals often dress in a way that reflects their mood— opting for sweatpants and loose T-shirts.
Psychological studies have shown this can worsen feelings of sadness.
“Clothing isn’t merely about looks or comfort; it’s a means of shaping our identity,” remarks Mark Gerson, author of “God Was Right.” (Fox News Digital)
Professor Karen Pine suggests that those feeling down should choose outfits that inspire joy, such as a tailored dress made from natural fibers, colors reminiscent of nature, or whimsical patterns that bring back fond childhood memories—mixing unexpected elements, like a leather jacket over a dress, to satisfy the brain’s desire for novelty.
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Once again, the wisdom is clear.
Clothing goes beyond mere aesthetics or comfort—it’s an instrument that can shape our identities.
When we dress intentionally, we equip ourselves to live with purpose.
Mark Gerson’s upcoming book is “God Was Right: How Modern Social Science Proves the Torah Is True,” set to be published by BenBella Books and distributed by Simon & Schuster in June 2025. This article is part of a series presented solely by Fox News Digital.
