Clothing is the mystery of Chashmal, which is a protection. For this reason, one’s garments should always be whole. They should not be torn, as this would destroy the protection.
The garments themselves make claims against the person if he is not careful to protect them, honor them properly, and keep them clean. {Regarding the importance of this warning to guard one’s clothing from stains, see above Lesson #29.}
הַבְּגָדִים הֵם בְּסוֹד הַחַשְׁמַ"ל, שֶׁהוּא שְׁמִירָה, וְעַל כֵּן הַבְּגָדִים יִהְיוּ שְׁלֵמִים תָּמִיד, וְלֹא קְרוּעִים, כִּי הוּא קִלְקוּל הַשְּׁמִירָה.
Clothing is the mystery of Chashmal, which is a protection. For this reason, one’s garments should always be whole. They should not be torn, as this would destroy the protection.
הַבְּגָדִים בְּעַצְמָן תּוֹבְעִין אֶת הָאָדָם אִם לֹא נִזְהָר בִּשְׁמִירָתָן לְכַבְּדָן כָּרָאוּי וּלְהַחֲזִיקָן בִּנְקִיּוּת: (גֹּדֶל אַזְהָרָה זֹאת לִשְׁמֹר אֶת הַבְּגָדִים מִכְּתָמִים, עַיֵּן לְעֵיל בְּסִימָן כט)
The garments themselves make claims against the person if he is not careful to protect them, honor them properly, and keep them clean. {Regarding the importance of this warning to guard one’s clothing from stains, see above Lesson #29.}