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The Robe (of the Ephod) is the main garment of the High Priest. It has particular instructions regarding how it is to be worn. It is to have a row of bells and golden pomegranates at the bottom, so that the High Priest will always make a sound when he comes before G-d and he will not die. In addition to the other special garments, the High Priest has to place on his forehead a piece of gold with the name of G-d engraved upon it. Aaron's sons are also to wear four special garments when performing their duties. This priesthood is to continue throughout Aaron's descendants.
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| Thoughts to Consider and Discuss |
1. Why is there a concern about the High Priest's dying?
2. In the text, what function does the High Priest's headgear serve?
3. Why is the eternal nature of the priesthood repeated here?
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"On his forehead, the High Priest wore a narrow gold plate, two finger breadths wide, upon which were inscribed the words Kadosh L'Hashem (Holy to G-d). It served to gain Heavenly favor for blood or sacrificial parts that were offered on the Altar in a state of contamination. Thanks to the merit of the Head-plate, such offerings would be accepted by G-d. The Or HaChaim explains why the two words engraved on the Head-plate had this effect. The word holy is a synonym for the Jewish nation, for it is so described by Jeremiah (2:3). The words to G-d imply that the nation is completely devoted to His service - and this is sufficient cause for G-d to accept offerings that would normally be ineligible for placement on the Altar."
Artscroll Chumash, p. 472
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 | | Points to Ponder | |
After long and careful details regarding the offerings, why was there still a concern about contaminated offerings being brought?
How can we say that G-d needs reminders? Is the Head-plate really a reminder of Israel's devotion to G-d for G-d, for the Priests or for the people?
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