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Exodus 28:30 - Divine guidance on Kohen's heart

Exodus 28:30 - שמות 28:30

Hebrew Text

וְנָתַתָּ אֶל־חֹשֶׁן הַמִּשְׁפָּט אֶת־הָאוּרִים וְאֶת־הַתֻּמִּים וְהָיוּ עַל־לֵב אַהֲרֹן בְּבֹאוֹ לִפְנֵי יְהוָה וְנָשָׂא אַהֲרֹן אֶת־מִשְׁפַּט בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל עַל־לִבּוֹ לִפְנֵי יְהוָה תָּמִיד׃

English Translation

And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Tummim; and they shall be upon Aharon’s heart, when he goes in before the Lord: and Aharon shall bear the judgment of the children of Yisra᾽el upon his heart before the Lord continually.

Transliteration

Venatata el-choshen hamishpat et-ha'urim ve'et-hatumim vehayu al-lev Aharon bevo'o lifnei Adonai venasa Aharon et-mishpat bnei-Yisrael al-libo lifnei Adonai tamid.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְנָתַתָּ֞ אֶל־חֹ֣שֶׁן הַמִּשְׁפָּ֗ט אֶת־הָאוּרִים֙ וְאֶת־הַתֻּמִּ֔ים וְהָיוּ֙ עַל־לֵ֣ב אַהֲרֹ֔ן בְּבֹא֖וֹ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וְנָשָׂ֣א אַ֠הֲרֹ֠ן אֶת־מִשְׁפַּ֨ט בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֧ל עַל־לִבּ֛וֹ לִפְנֵ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה תָּמִֽיד׃ <span class="mam-spi-samekh">{ס}</span>        
וְנָתַתָּ֞ אֶל־חֹ֣שֶׁן הַמִּשְׁפָּ֗ט אֶת־הָאוּרִים֙ וְאֶת־הַתֻּמִּ֔ים וְהָיוּ֙ עַל־לֵ֣ב אַהֲרֹ֔ן בְּבֹא֖וֹ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וְנָשָׂ֣א אַ֠הֲרֹ֠ן אֶת־מִשְׁפַּ֨ט בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֧ל עַל־לִבּ֛וֹ לִפְנֵ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה תָּמִֽיד׃ {ס}        

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Parasha Commentary

The Urim and Thummim in the Choshen Mishpat

The verse (Shemot 28:30) describes the placement of the Urim and Thummim within the Choshen Mishpat (Breastplate of Judgment), which Aharon the Kohen Gadol wore when entering before Hashem. According to Rashi, the Urim and Thummim were a divine mechanism through which the Kohen Gadol could receive answers from Hashem regarding matters of national importance. The name "Urim" (אורים) is derived from "or" (light), symbolizing clarity, while "Thummim" (תומים) comes from "tamim" (perfect), representing truth and completion.

The Function of the Urim and Thummim

The Rambam (Hilchos Klei HaMikdash 10:11) explains that the Urim and Thummim were used to answer questions posed by the king or the Sanhedrin, particularly regarding matters of war or national policy. The letters on the stones of the Choshen would illuminate in response to inquiries, forming words through divine inspiration. The Talmud (Yoma 73b) elaborates that the Kohen Gadol would face the Shechinah, concentrate on the question, and the letters would shine in sequence to provide an answer.

Aharon Bearing the Judgment of Bnei Yisrael

The verse emphasizes that Aharon would "bear the judgment of Bnei Yisrael upon his heart before Hashem continually." Rashi explains that this means the Kohen Gadol must always be mindful of the needs and struggles of the Jewish people, interceding on their behalf. The Midrash Tanchuma (Tetzaveh 6) adds that the Choshen served as a reminder of the 12 tribes, ensuring that Aharon carried their spiritual and physical welfare in his heart at all times.

Symbolism of the Heart

The placement of the Urim and Thummim "upon Aharon’s heart" signifies the necessity of sincere devotion in seeking divine guidance. The Kli Yakar notes that just as the heart is the center of a person’s emotions and intellect, the Kohen Gadol’s service required both deep emotional connection and intellectual clarity when inquiring of Hashem. This teaches that true leadership involves carrying the burdens of the people with genuine care and wisdom.

Contemporary Lessons

  • The Urim and Thummim remind us of the importance of seeking divine wisdom in decision-making, especially for communal leaders.
  • Aharon’s role teaches that spiritual leadership requires constant mindfulness of the people’s needs.
  • The connection between "light" (Urim) and "truth" (Thummim) underscores that divine guidance is both illuminating and perfect.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Yoma 73b
The verse is discussed in the context of the Urim and Thummim and their role in divine communication, particularly how they were used by the High Priest.
📖 Sotah 48b
Mentions the cessation of the Urim and Thummim after the destruction of the First Temple, referencing this verse to explain their original function.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the Urim and Thummim mentioned in Exodus 28:30?
A: The Urim and Thummim were sacred objects placed inside the Kohen Gadol's (High Priest's) breastplate (Choshen Mishpat). According to Rashi and the Talmud (Yoma 73b), they were used to receive divine guidance for the Jewish people, such as in matters of national importance. The exact nature of these items is not fully described in the Torah, but they were a means of communication with Hashem.
Q: Why did the Kohen Gadol wear the Urim and Thummim on his heart?
A: The verse states that Aharon (the Kohen Gadol) bore the judgment of Bnei Yisrael 'upon his heart' to symbolize his responsibility to seek divine guidance for the nation. Ramban explains that this placement emphasized the Kohen Gadol's role as an intermediary who carried the concerns of the Jewish people before Hashem with sincerity and devotion.
Q: What does 'bearing the judgment of Israel' mean in this verse?
A: The phrase means that the Kohen Gadol represented the spiritual and judicial needs of the Jewish people before Hashem. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 38:8) teaches that the breastplate atoned for errors in judgment, showing that the Kohen Gadol's role included seeking divine clarity for the nation's decisions.
Q: Do the Urim and Thummim still exist today?
A: According to traditional Jewish sources (Talmud Sotah 48b), the Urim and Thummim ceased functioning after the destruction of the First Temple. Their use was dependent on the presence of the Temple and the Kohen Gadol's service. Today, we no longer have this form of direct divine communication.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the Urim and Thummim today?
A: The Urim and Thummim teach us the importance of seeking divine wisdom in decision-making. While we no longer have them, we are encouraged to turn to Torah study, prayer, and righteous scholars (as per Mishlei 3:5-6) for guidance, just as the Jewish people once relied on the Kohen Gadol's connection to Hashem.