Commentary for Zevachim 175:16
הא במים מכבסין אמר אביי ה"ק הוגעו במים מכבסין אותו בנתר ואהל
in the Temple, whereupon the priests decided by vote to hide it. Our Rabbis taught: The priestly garments were not sewn but woven,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' They were woven directly into garments, not first into cloth and then sewn together.');"><sup>33</sup></span> as it is said, of woven work.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Ex. XXVIII, 32.');"><sup>34</sup></span> If soiled, they might not be washed with natron<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' V. Sanh. (Sonc. ed.) p. 330, n. 5.');"><sup>35</sup></span> or with ahal.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' A substance used as soap. - The reason for all these is that it savours of poverty to repair or cleanse them for Temple use.');"><sup>36</sup></span> But you may wash them in water?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Surely not; that too savours of poverty and is moreover inefficient.');"><sup>37</sup></span> - Said Abaye, This is what he means: If they [merely] needed water,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit ,'if they were brought to water.' - i.e., they were only slightly soiled.');"><sup>38</sup></span> you may wash them [even] with natron or ahal.
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