What is written prior to the matter: “You shall not ascend on stairs to My altar, [so that your nakedness will not be exposed upon it]” (Exodus 20:23). And it is written: “And these are the ordinances.”6These verses appear consecutively in the Torah, although the division of the text into chapters separates them into separate chapters. What does this matter have in common with that? Was the nakedness of the priests exposed?
But is it not written: “Make for them linen trousers to cover the flesh of their nakedness”? (Exodus 28:42). Rather, Rabbi Avina said: Just as the Holy One blessed be He cautioned the priest to refrain from taking large steps atop the altar; rather, they should walk with measured steps,7The text here reads literally “heel next to toe.” so, the Holy One blessed be He cautioned the judges that they should not take large steps in judgment.8They should skip no steps and make no unfounded assumptions in reaching their judgment.