The Torah describes the masterfully tailor-made high priest attire interwoven using gold strands coupled with multicolor threads.

The fundamental cohan clothes starts with the High Priest's four garments, leading up to the exclusive vestments of the Cohen Gadol (the High Priest). The notable Choshen centrepiece with a impressive assortment of priceless gemstones symbolized Israel's twelve tribes "in remembrance before G-d."

Every gem was separately engraved and also individualized having tribe's identity. An interactive showcased G-dly display, the amazing Choshen has come to symbolize the Priesthood.

The Bible stresses continuously that the Hoshen was securely connected to the Ephod suspenders. This particular positive commandment is additionally strengthened by a negative cautioning not to take away the Choshen from the Ephod.

Initially, this specific commandment was basically purely practical, fit for suitable wear, so that the Hoshen wouldn't hang loosely (see Sefer Hachinuch).

Appropriately, this connection would likely only be needed during the formal service as soon as the High Priest was working. However Rambam, based on the Talmud (Makos 23a) contends that it was permanently secured, the Hoshen never was to be stripped away from the Efod.

Rashi, too, when interpreting the term "Sharheros" as 'firmly rooted' as in 'shoresh' quite different from an additional comparable Hebrew root word 'shalsheles' - a chain, which could open up or even close. With regards to the Hoshen (based on Rashi) it's relationship was as grounded and in contrast to a chain which may be removed.

This Choshen-Ephod juxtaposition appears to generate a redudancy. The Efod previously has it's very own 2 gems with all the names of Israel's tribes etched on it, so why the duplication using the stones of the Hoshen?

This Choshen-Ephod issue relects Hillel's harmony in Pirkei Avot 1:14 - "If I am not for myself, who will be? If I am only for myself, what am I?"

The tribes had been outlined collectively like a collection on the Efod, while on the Choshen presented all of them independently on individual stones. The Efod Stones might be compared to a Class Photograph while the Choshen may just be likened to the individual INSETS.

Judaism recognizes our personality, each a jewel in its own right, shining forth with different luster, talent and elegance. All at once, even so, we have to constantly tie in with our own local community as well as our well-known origin and tradition.

The lesson of the Choshen must be tied in with the Ephod: Equally various and alongside one another ( space ) we're One!

Find out more about Choshen at his website about Hoshen.

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