But according to ancient Jewish wisdom, it’s a question worth pondering. Especially when we’re talking about garments of majesty, strength, and even…vengeance.

The book of Psalms (93:1) declares, “The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed, He has girded Himself with strength.” This verse, seemingly simple, opens up a world of interpretation in the Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic teachings on the Psalms. It’s here we begin to understand that God’s "clothing" isn't about fashion, but about power, justice, and His relationship with the world.

The Midrash starts with a fascinating exchange between God and the prophet Jeremiah. The verse from Jeremiah (10:7) asks, "Who would not fear You, O King of the nations?" God asks Jeremiah, “But am I not the King of Israel?” Jeremiah cleverly replies that because God appointed him a prophet to all nations (Jeremiah 1:5), he, Jeremiah, calls God King of the nations. God then instructs Jeremiah to “go and take possession of the kingship,” reiterating “The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty.”

Rabbi Chanina adds an intriguing comment: "You have a garment that is becoming to You, but Your garment does not become You." In other words, sometimes we wear clothes that look nice, but don't truly reflect who we are. But, the Midrash continues, "the Holy One, blessed be He, has a garment that is becoming to Him and His garment becomes Him.” God’s essence and His actions are perfectly aligned. His clothing — His attributes — perfectly reflect His being.

So, what are these garments of God? Well, according to the Midrash, there are seven of them, each corresponding to a different historical event or future hope. And each is linked to a specific verse.

The first garment is for the war with the sea. "The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty" (Psalm 93:1), refers to the splitting of the Red Sea, as described in Exodus (15:1): "I will sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted." Think about it: God’s power over the chaotic waters, a symbol of primordial forces, is an act of pure majesty.

Then there's the garment for the war of Sinai. "The Lord will give strength to His people" (Psalm 29:11). This refers to the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. This garment represents the strength and endurance God bestowed upon the Israelites to receive and uphold His commandments.

A garment for the war of Babylon is described in Isaiah (59:17): "He put on garments of vengeance for clothing." And as it says in Jeremiah (46:10), "For it is the vengeance of the Lord, the vengeance for His Temple." This is a stark reminder of God's justice and His commitment to His people, even when it requires divine retribution.

Next, we have a garment for the war of Media: "He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me in a robe of righteousness" (Isaiah 61:10). This connects to the story of Esther (8:15), "And Mordechai went out from the king's presence." This garment signifies deliverance and the triumph of good over evil.

The fifth garment is for the war of Greece, where Isaiah (59:17) says: "And He put on righteousness like a breastplate." The Midrash connects this to the Hasmoneans, who fought for religious freedom and were "dressed in garments of zeal."

Then comes the garment for the war of Edom, as described in Isaiah (63:1): "Who is this who comes from Edom, with garments of glowing colors?" This alludes to a future conflict and ultimate redemption.

Finally, the seventh garment is for the days of the Messiah, when Daniel (7:9) tells us, "His clothing was white as snow." This symbolizes purity, peace, and the ultimate reign of God's kingdom on Earth.

What does all this mean for us? This Midrash isn't just a fanciful story about God’s wardrobe. It's a profound reflection on the nature of divine power, justice, and redemption throughout history and into the future. It suggests that God’s actions, His “clothing,” are always appropriate for the situation, always reflecting His core attributes. And it invites us to consider what garments we wear – what actions we take – and whether they truly reflect who we aspire to be.