Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the leshem, shevo, and achlama stones mentioned in Exodus 39:12?
A: The leshem, shevo, and achlama are three of the twelve precious stones set in the Choshen (breastplate) of the Kohen Gadol (High Priest). According to Rashi and other commentators, these stones correspond to specific tribes of Israel. The exact identification of these stones is debated, but they were undoubtedly precious and significant for the divine service in the Mishkan (Tabernacle).
Q: Why were these specific stones chosen for the Kohen Gadol's breastplate?
A: The stones on the Choshen represented the twelve tribes of Israel (Shemot 28:21). Each stone was unique, symbolizing the distinct qualities of each tribe. The Midrash teaches that these stones also served as a means for divine communication—through the Urim and Thummim—helping the Kohen Gadol receive answers from Hashem for the nation.
Q: What is the significance of the stones being arranged in rows?
A: The Torah specifies that the stones were arranged in four rows of three (Shemot 28:17-20). The orderly arrangement reflects the structured and sacred nature of the Kohen Gadol’s service. The Talmud (Yoma 73b) explains that the placement of the stones was crucial for the proper functioning of the Urim and Thummim, emphasizing precision in divine service.
Q: Do these stones have any spiritual meaning in Judaism today?
A: While the Choshen is no longer in use today, these stones remind us of the holiness of the Mishkan and the Beit HaMikdash (Temple). The Rambam (Hilchos Klei HaMikdash 9:7) discusses their significance, and some Kabbalistic teachings suggest that each stone carried unique spiritual energies. Today, we learn from this the importance of unity among the Jewish people, as each tribe had its place on the breastplate.
Q: How were the stones on the breastplate connected to the tribes of Israel?
A: According to the Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 2:7), each stone corresponded to a specific tribe, with its color or properties reflecting that tribe’s character. For example, Rashi (Shemot 28:18) links certain stones to tribes based on their ancestral blessings (Bereshis 49). The leshem, shevo, and achlama in the third row were associated with tribes such as Zevulun, Dan, and Naftali, symbolizing their unique roles within Klal Yisrael.
Verse Context: The Choshen Stones
The verse (Shemot 28:19) describes the third row of precious stones set in the Choshen Mishpat (Breastplate of Judgment) worn by the Kohen Gadol (High Priest). Each stone corresponded to one of the twelve tribes of Israel, as explained in Shemot Rabbah (38:9) and other Midrashic sources.
Identification of the Stones
Symbolism and Meaning
The Zohar (Terumah 169a) teaches that each stone in the Choshen represented the unique spiritual qualities of its corresponding tribe. The Leshem symbolized divine judgment (din), the Shevo represented humility and submission (hishtavut), and the Achlamah alluded to prosperity and blessing (bracha), as each tribe embodied these traits in their service to Hashem.
Function in the Choshen
According to the Rambam (Hilchos Klei HaMikdash 9:7), the stones facilitated the Urim v'Tumim, through which divine messages were conveyed. The Talmud (Yoma 73b) explains that the letters of the tribes' names engraved on the stones would illuminate to provide answers from Hashem.