Sinai & The Law

You are to put the urim and the tumim in the breastplate for judging; they will be over Aharon's heart when he goes into the presence of ADONAI. Thus Aharon will always have the means for making decisions for the people of Isra'el over his heart when he is in the presence of ADONAI.

"You are to make the robe for the ritual vest entirely of blue.

It is to have an opening for the head in the middle. Around the opening is to be a border woven like the neck of a coat of mail, so that it won't tear.

On its bottom hem make pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet; and put them all the way around, with gold bells between them all the way around -

gold bell, pomegranate, gold bell, pomegranate, all the way around the hem of the robe.

Aharon is to wear it when he ministers, and its sound will be heard whenever he enters the Holy Place before ADONAI and when he leaves, so that he won't die.

"You are to make an ornament of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal, 'Set apart for ADONAI.'

Fasten it to the turban with a blue cord, on the front of the turban,

over Aharon's forehead. Because Aharon bears the guilt for any errors committed by the people of Isra'el in consecrating their holy gifts, this ornament is always to be on his forehead, so that the gifts for ADONAI will be accepted by him.

"You are to weave the checkered tunic of fine linen, make a turban of fine linen, and make a belt, the work of a weaver in colors.

Likewise for Aharon's sons make tunics, sashes and headgear expressing dignity and splendor.

With them clothe your brother Aharon and his sons. Then anoint them, inaugurate them, and consecrate them, so that they will be able to serve me in the office of cohen.

Also make for them linen shorts reaching from waist to thigh, to cover their bare flesh.

Aharon and his sons are to wear them when they go into the tent of meeting and when they approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place, so that they won't incur guilt and die. This is to be a perpetual regulation, both for him and for his descendants.

"Here is what you are to do to consecrate them for ministry to me in the office of cohen. Take one young bull and two rams without defect,

also matzah, matzah cakes mixed with olive oil, and matzah wafers spread with oil - all made from fine wheat flour;

put them together in a basket, and present them in the basket, along with the bull and the two rams.

"Bring Aharon and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting, and wash them with water.

Take the garments, and put on Aharon the tunic, the robe for the ritual vest, the vest itself, and the breastplate. Fasten the vest on him with its belt.

Put the turban on his head and attach the holy ornament to the turban.

Then take the anointing oil, and anoint him by pouring it on his head.

Bring his sons; put tunics on them;

wrap sashes around them, Aharon and his sons; and put the headgear on their heads. The office of cohen is to be theirs by a permanent regulation. Thus you will consecrate Aharon and his sons.

"Bring the young bull to the front of the tent of meeting. Aharon and his sons are to lay their hands on the bull's head,

and you are to slaughter the bull in the presence of ADONAI at the entrance to the tent of meeting.