However, the soul, which is the garb within which the Line is clothed... The garb (לבוש, levush, a “garment”, corresponding to the צלם, tzelem, “form” or “likeness”) is an intermediary between the soul and the body, relating to the body. When the soul clothes itself in this garb, it executes the necessary functions in accordance with the nature of the body, but when it is outside the body, it does not act in that way.
This is the garb with which the Holy One, blessed be He, clothes the soul when it enters the body, and the Zohar (Mishpatim 96b) explains that if it were not for this garb, the soul would have no connection whatever with the body. Prior to its entry into this world, the soul was like an angel without an evil inclination and without free will. However, on entry into the body, the soul became invested with an evil inclination and with free will. This is the result of its being clothed in this garb of the body.