How Israel's Garments Did Not Wear Out in the Wilderness

Rabbi Eleazar son of Rabbi Shimon asked his father-in-law, Rabbi Shimon son of Yose son of Lakonya. He said to him: what is the meaning of what is written, "your garment did not wear out upon you" (Deuteronomy 8:4)? Were chests of clothing traveling with Israel in the wilderness? He said to him: the clouds of glory would rub them smooth. And did they not wear out? He said to him: "your garment did not wear out upon you." And did the garments not grow with the children? He said to him: this snail, the more it grows, its shell grows along with it. And did they not need laundering? He said to him: the clouds of glory would whiten them. And do not be astonished: this asbestos is cleansed only by fire. And was their smell not worse than the smell of sweat? He said to him: they were nourished by the grass of the well, and "the scent of your garments is like the scent of Lebanon" (Song of Songs 4:11).