high priest
The Yom Kippur Temple Service
The Torah portion of Acharei Mot (Leviticus 16-18) describes the Temple service on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. The Bible mandates 15 specific sacrifices and many other rituals for Yom Kippur, or Yom HaKippurim, outlined in...
The Mystical Powers of the High Priest’s Head-Plate
The Torah mandates eight garments for the Kohen Gadol (High Priest). Among them is the golden head-plate, or the tzitz (צִיץ), which was engraved with the words kodesh laHashem (קֹדֶשׁ לַיהֹוָה), ‘Holy to God.’ The word tzitz means ‘to...
The Enigmatic Breastplate
Perhaps the most enigmatic element of the clothing of the High Priest was the breastplate, known in Hebrew as the choshen, which was attached to the ephod, or apron, of the High Priest. Made of cloth (wool dyed blue, purple, and crimson)...
The Portion of Tetzaveh
This portion continues the themes of last week’s portion, describing the clothing the priests must wear to serve in the Tabernacle, the process by which they are to be consecrated, and the offerings they must bring, both when they are...
