Malbish Arumim Human Dignity

Clothing serves an important purpose, besides simply covering our bodies. They give a person a sense of dignity. A human being is not just a smart animal. We were created b'tzelem Elokim and must wear clothing that reinforces that sense of dignity and G-dliness.

The Gemara tells us that Rabbi Elazar called clothing mechabdusa, the honor of a person. That is why we say Hashem is malbish arumim, to stress that without clothing, we would be undressed like the animals are.

Adapted from Emunah in the Classroom