These garments included: britches (undergarments); a tunic (sort of like long underwear); a robe, an ephod (sort of like a girdle); a breastplate, headgear (different for the High Priest and the ordinary priests), a belt, and something called the tzitz, which is sort of like a bracelet worn around the headgear.
What is the significance of this elaborate dress code for the Kohanim? Obviously, its distinguishes the Kohanim from the rest of Israelites. Perhaps more importantly, the garments worn by the Kohanim had to be made from material contributed from the Israelites as part of the building of the Temple. This signifies that the Kohanim are not representing themselves, but rather all the Children of Israel.
There are many interesting components to the priestly garments. In today's shiur (teaching), we are going to focus on the Urim and the Thumim.
The RAMBAN has an interesting explanation of the Urim and Thumim which worked in conjunction with the breastplate. The breast plate was decorated with semi-precious stones that represented the tribes of the Children of Israel.
According to the Ramban, the Urim and Thumim were probably pieces of parchment upon which were written the ineffable name of God, told to Moses by God while Moses was speaking to God face-to-face. This parchment was inserted into a pouch in the breastplate worn by the Priest.
The Priest would inquire of the Urim and Thumim with regard to the major issues confronting the Children of Israel. The Urim and Thumim would then cause the stones on the breast plate to light up, revealing the answer. For example, the Priest used the Urim and Thumim to determine who would lead the Israelites after the death of Joshua. When asked, the Urim and Thumim caused the stones to light up in a manner that indicated Judah (someone from the Tribe of Judah).
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