Torah in a Box

Bigdei Kehuna – The Kohen’s Clothes

Torah in a Box

Instructions: Learn about the facts of each article of clothing the Kohen wore. Each garment is listed in the order that the Kohen put it on (ie: Michnasayim was put on first.) After you learn the facts about each article of clothing, answer the worksheet questions

Meil - מעיל

Facts

• Exclusively worn by the Kohen Gadol. • Blue (Techeiles) color. • Was worn over the Kitonet. • Bottom had gold bells and pomegranates made of cloth. The pomegranates were woven from 3 colors: turquoise, purple, and red. • Was put on after the Avnet. • Gave atonement for speaking Lashon Hara.

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Choshen - חושן

Facts

• Exclusively worn by the Kohen Gadol. • Each of the 12 shevatim were inscribed on their own stone on the Choshen. The order and colors were as follows (order started from the top right and went towards the left): Reuven- red, Shimon- green, Levi- red, black, and white, Yehuda- light blue, Yissachar- dark blue, Zevulun- white, Dan- midnight blue, Naftali- gray, Gad- maroon, Asher- pearl, Yosef- black, and Binyamin- multi- colored. • The Choshen was attached with golden rings to the Eiphod. • Inside the Choshen was the Urim V’Tumim (slip that was placed inside the fold of the Choshen.) The Urim V’Tumim had Hashem’s name on it. When a leader of the Jewish nation was faced with a difficult question, they would ask the Kohen Gadol and the Choshen would spell out the answer to their question. • Was put on after the Eiphod. • Gave atonement for incorrect judgments.

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Eiphod - אפוד

Facts • Exclusively worn by the Kohen Gadol. • Was wrapped around the Kohen’s waist and covered his legs, hips, and sides of stomach. • It was suspended by shoulder straps (similar to suspenders) that went over his back and shoulders. • On the shoulder straps were the Aveni HaShoham (Shoham Stones.) The names of the 12 shevatim were etched into each stone (6 shevatim per stone.) • The cloth colors were turquoise, purple, red and gold. • Was put on after the Meil. • Gave atonement for idol worship.

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Tzitz - ציץ

Facts

• Exclusively worn by the Kohen Gadol. • Was worn across his forehead, extending from ear to ear. • Was made of gold and was held up by turquoise straps. .(Holy to Hashem) קדש לה' Said the words • • Was the very last item put on by the Kohen Gadol. • Gave atonement for having chutzpah.

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Kitonet - כתונת

Facts • Was worn both by the Kohen Gadol and a Kohen Hedyot (Regular Kohen). • Was white and covered whole body. • Was put on after the Michnasayim. • Gave atonement for murder.

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Michnasayim - מכנסים

Facts

• Was worn both by the Kohen Gadol and a Kohen Hedyot (Regular Kohen.) • Was the very first article of clothing put on by the Kohen. • Was the color white and extended down to the Kohen’s knees. • Gave atonement for forbidden marriages (ie: brother and sister.)

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Mitznefet/Migbaat - מצנפת/מגבעת

Facts

• Mitznefet is worn by the Kohen Gadol and the Migbaat is worn by a Kohen Hedyot (Regular Kohen). • Was put on after the Choshen by the Kohen Gadol, and after the Avnet by a Regular Kohen. • Was the color white and was the head covering of the Kohen. • Gave atonement for being selfish.

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Avnet - אבנט

Facts

• Was worn both by the Kohen Gadol and a Kohen Hedyot (Regular Kohen). • Was put on after the Kitonet. Avnet- אבנט Was made from wool. Its colors were • turquoise, purple, and red. • It was wrapped around the Kohen’s stomach several times like a belt. • On Yom Kippur the Kohen Gadol did not wear his usual clothes. He only wore the Mitznefet, Kitonet, Michnasayim, and Avnet. However, the Avnet was the color white. (Therefore, he was clothed on Yom Kippur completely in white garments.) • Gave atonement for thinking about sins.

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