Ascent to the Altar

Exodus 20:23 "Do not ascend My altar by steps, that your nakedness may not be exposed upon it."

The Mekhilta quotes R. Yishmael who points out that this is unnecessary. Since a kohen wears pants as a part of his priestly garb, even if he walked up stairs his private parts would not be exposed. Therefore, R. Yishmael explains this verse as referring to large steps. The ramp relieve the priests of having to take large steps to ascend to the altar (cf. Rashi).

R. Menahem Kasher, in his Torah Shelemah (no. 571), quotes a Midrash Ha-Bi'ur manuscript that explains the necessity of this prohibition. This rule is a safeguard in case the pants become ripped. R. Kasher quotes the Moreh Nevukhim (3:40) who takes the exposing nakedness of the verse literally, contrary to the Mekhilta.

I thought that another explanation of this prohibition can be offered in light of the Sefer Ha-Hinukh's surprising statement that this law applies to both men and women (no. 41). How can it apply to women who may not perform the sacrificial service on the altar? The Minhas Hinukh (no. 2) explains that the prohibition also applies to women who, in violation of other laws, perform the sacrificial service. If they ascend steps they are also violating this prohibition in addition to those other laws. Perhaps one could also say that this prohibition applies to a priest who does not wear the proper pants. Not only is he in violation of the laws prohibiting performing the sacrificial service without the proper attire, he is also violating this additional prohibition by exposing his private parts.