Editing Kohen (section)

===Vestments===
{{See also|Biblical clothing}}
[[Image:LEV 8- High priest in robes and breastplate.jpg|thumb|The high priest in his golden garments (the chain [[censer]] depicted is anachronistic).]]
[[Image:Kohenbreastplate.jpg|thumb|The [[priestly breastplate]] of the high priest.]]
[[File:Jewish priests.jpg|thumb|Kohen, [[High Priest of Israel|''Kohen Gadol'']] and a [[Levite]] (Charles Foster, 1873)]]

The [[Torah]] provides for specific vestments to be worn by the priests when they are ministering in the [[Tabernacle]]: "And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for dignity and for beauty".<ref>{{bibleverse|Exodus|28:2|HE}}</ref>  These garments are described in {{bibleverse|Exodus|28|HE}}, {{bibleverse|Exodus|39|HE}} and {{bibleverse|Leviticus|8|HE}}. The high priest wore eight holy garments (''bigdei kodesh''). Of these, four were of the same type worn by all priests and four were unique to the high priest.

Those vestments which were common to all priests were:
* [[Priestly undergarments]] (Hebrew ''michnasayim'', breeches): [[linen]] pants reaching from the waist to the knees "to cover their nakedness" ({{bibleverse|Exodus|28:42|HE}})
* [[Priestly tunic]] (Hebrew ''ketonet'', tunic): made of pure linen, covering the entire body from the neck to the feet, with sleeves reaching to the wrists. That of the high priest was embroidered, those of the priests were plain.<ref>{{bibleverse|Exodus|28:39-40|HE}}</ref>
* [[Priestly sash]] (Hebrew ''avnet'', sash): that of the high priest was of fine linen with "[[embroidery|embroidered work]]" in blue and purple and scarlet ({{bibleverse|Exodus|28:39|HE}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Exodus|39:29|HE}}); those worn by the priests were of white, twined linen.
* [[Priestly turban]] (Hebrew ''mitznefet''): that of the high priest was much larger than that of the priests and wound so that it formed a broad, flat-topped turban; that for priests was wound so that it formed a cone-shaped turban, called a ''migbahat''.

The vestments that were unique to the high priest were:
* [[Priestly robe (Judaism)|Priestly robe]] (''me'il''): a sleeveless, blue robe, the lower hem of which was fringed with small golden bells alternating with [[pomegranate]]-shaped tassels in blue, purple, and scarlet—''[[tekhelet]]'', ''[[Tyrian purple|argaman]]'', ''[[tolaat shani]]''.
* [[Ephod]]: a richly embroidered vest or apron with two [[onyx]] [[engraved gem]]stones on the shoulders, on which were engraved the names of the tribes of Israel
* [[Priestly breastplate]] (Hebrew ''hoshen''): with twelve precious and semi-precious stones, each engraved with the name of one of the tribes; a pouch in which he probably carried the [[Urim and Thummim]] (objects of unclear nature used for divination). The ''hoshen'' was fastened to the Ephod.
* [[Priestly golden head plate|Priestly headplate]] (Hebrew ''tzitz''): worn on the front of the turban, and inscribed with the words: "[[Q-D-Š|Holy]] unto [[YHWH]]".
[[File:Macoy Masonic Hebrew with text 1868 p134.jpg|thumb|''Qodeš l-Yahweh'' ([[Paleo-Hebrew alphabet]]), "Holy to [[Yahweh]]", an inscription worn on the forehead of the [[High Priest of Israel]]]]
In addition to the above "golden garments", the [[High Priest of Israel|high priest]] also had a set of white "linen garments" (''bigdei ha-bad'') which he wore only for the [[Yom Kippur Temple service]].<ref>{{bibleverse|Leviticus|16:4|HE}}</ref> The linen garments were only four in number, corresponding to the garments worn by all priests (undergarments, tunic, sash and turban), but made only of white linen, with no embroidery. They could be worn only once, new sets being made each year.

A priest would serve barefoot in the Temple, and would immerse in a [[mikvah]] before vesting, and wash his hands and his feet before performing any sacred act. The [[Talmud]] teaches that priests were only fit to perform their duties when wearing their priestly vestments,<ref>[https://www.sefaria.org/Zevachim.17b.6 Zevachim 17b]</ref> and that the vestments achieve [[Atonement in Judaism|atonement]] for [[sin]], just as [[korbanot|sacrifices]] do.<ref>[https://www.sefaria.org/Zevachim.88b.5 Zevachim 88b]</ref>

According to the [[Talmud]], the wearing of the [[Priestly golden head plate]] [[Atonement in Judaism|atoned]] for the [[sin]] of arrogance on the part of the [[Children of Israel]] ([[Babylonian Talmud|B]].[[Zevachim]] 88b) and she also symbolizes that the high priest bears the lack of all the offerings and gifts of the sons of Israel. And it must be constantly on his head for the good pleasure of God towards them ({{bibleverse||Exodus|28:38|HE}}).
*According to the Talmud, the wearing of the [[Priestly turban]] [[Atonement in Judaism|atoned]] for the [[sin]] of haughtiness on the part of the Children of Israel (B. [[Zevachim]] 88b).
*According to the Talmud, the wearing of the Priestly [[ephod]] [[atonement in Judaism|atoned]] for the [[thou shalt have no other gods before me|sin of idolatry]] on the part of the [[Israelites]].<ref>[[Babylonian Talmud]], ''[[Zevachim]]'' 88:B</ref>
*According to the Talmud, the wearing of the [[Priestly sash]] [[Atonement in Judaism|atoned]] for "[[sin]]s of the heart" (impure thoughts) on the part of the Children of Israel.<ref>[[Zevachim]] 88b</ref>
*According to the Talmud, the wearing of the [[Priestly tunic]] and the rest of the priestly garments [[Atonement in Judaism|atoned]] for the [[sin]] of bloodshed on the part of the Children of Israel (B.[[Zevachim]] 88b).
*According to the Talmud, the [[Priestly undergarments]] [[Atonement in Judaism|atone]] for the [[sin]] of sexual transgressions on the part of the Children of Israel (B.Zevachim 88b).