The Power of Shabbat Clothing: 10 Reasons to Dress for the Divine

More Than Fabric: Why Shabbat Clothing Matters

The Alter of Kelm once reflected on a special teaching from the holy Ari:
If you want to feel the holiness of Shabbat, make sure to wear special Shabbat clothes. Not just one garment, but an entirely different set of clothing from what you wear during the week.

Here are ten compelling reasons to invest effort and care into what we wear on Shabbat:

1. Shabbat Clothing Purifies the Whole Body – Rabbi Shalom Noach Berezovsky (the Slonimer Rebbe) writes in Netivot Shalom: “Shabbat garments are ‘holy garments’ that purify all the limbs of the body so one can enter Shabbat and receive its light. There is a dimension of spiritual cleansing that comes through wearing these clothes. They bring holiness into us.”

2. They Express Honor for Shabbat – As Isaiah says: “Call the Shabbat a delight… and honor it.” According to the early commentators, delight refers to physical pleasure (food and drink), and honor refers to cleanliness, fresh clothing, and preparing our homes. It’s about how we show Shabbat is special.

3. Even When We're Alone – The Shulchan Aruch rules that even if one is alone among non-Jews, one should still wear Shabbat clothes—because we dress not for others, but in honor of Shabbat.

4. Before and After – Shabbat clothing should be worn before candle lighting and removed only after Shabbat ends. It's particularly appropriate for women to dress in Shabbat clothing before lighting candles.

5. No Weekday Clothes on Shabbat – The Sages teach: “Your Shabbat attire should not be like your weekday attire.” It is forbidden to wear weekday clothes on Shabbat.

6. Even Shoe-Polishing Brings Reward – While some wear special shoes for Shabbat, halachically, one is only required to shine their regular shoes. The Midrash Peleh says: “The Jewish people don’t even realize the reward that awaits them in the World to Come for something as simple as polishing their shoes for Shabbat.” As it says in Shir HaShirim: “How beautiful are your footsteps in shoes.”

7. Clothing That Expands the Soul – The Ktav V’Hakabbalah writes that when eating, drinking, or dressing on Shabbat, one should have the intention to expand the soul, to strengthen the body as a vessel for holiness. Nice clothing helps the mind stay clear and refined and ready to receive Torah wisdom.

Reward, Abundance, and Blessing

8. Angels Bless the One Who Honors Shabbat – The Yalkut Me’am Lo’ez, quoting the Zohar, writes that angels are appointed to observe those who honor Shabbat properly, and they bless them. The Rambam explains that the reward for keeping Shabbat in this world is even greater than in the next. The Talmud adds: “If Israel had kept the first Shabbat, no nation would ever have ruled over them.”

9. Shabbat Expenses Are Reimbursed – The Talmud teaches: “A person’s income is determined on Rosh Hashanah, aside for Shabbat expenses.” Hashem says: “Borrow on My account, and I will repay you.” The late Rabbi Shimshon Pincus would tell his children on Fridays: “Buy what you need for Shabbat. Imagine it’s all free today.” The Zohar even says that Hashem not only reimburses but doubles the return.

10. The Source of All Blessing – The Zohar calls Shabbat the source of blessing in the world. The Sforno explains: “Your success during the six days depends on how you rest on the seventh.” The Chafetz Chaim notes the verse: “See that Hashem has given you the Shabbat”—the Shabbat is what gives you your sustenance. “And God blessed the seventh day." This day channels blessing to the rest of the week.

Shabbat: The Ultimate Segulah

The greatest sages, when asked for advice or a blessing, often gave the same guidance: honor Shabbat more. Accept Shabbat early (Tosefet Shabbat), study its laws, help others observe it, and elevate its sanctity.