White and Gold Garments, Personal and Communal Property

He shall put on the holy linen tunic, and have linen pants on his body, and he must gird himself with a linen sash, and bind (his head) with a linen turban; they are the holy garments...           Leviticus 16:4

For the parts of Yom Kippur service performed in the Holy of Holies, the High Priests wore the “white garments,” pure linen garments, as opposed to the “golden garments” worn for the remaining parts of the service. This approach serves as a paradigm for all those who wish to approach the holy [v.3] and achieve sanctity. One must approach devoid of gold or any other tangible possession, but only with his/her good deeds, and in purity.

The garments worn by the High Priest during the performance of the service on Yom Kippur were not his private property. In contrast, because he could not achieve atonement through the public, the High Priest must have purchased the bull he brought as his sin offering using his own money. [16:3]

There is a significant lesson: when it comes to accepting responsibility, the High Priest cannot hide behind the community, but must accept his personal responsibility. On the other hand, concerning sanctity, the High Priest must understand that he is able to achieve sanctity through the klal and as their representative. Responsibility must be personal, while privilege stems from the community.