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The priestlyrobe (Hebrew:מְעִיל,romanized: məʿil), sometimesrobe of the ephod (מְעִיל הָאֵפֹודməʿil hāʾēp̄oḏ), is one of the sacred articles of clothing of theHigh Priest of Israel. The robe is described inExodus 28:31-35. It was worn under theephod. Like all the priestly garments, it was to be made by 'gifted artisans ... filled with the spirit of wisdom'.[1]
This Hebrew noun occurs 30 times in theMasoretic Text of theHebrew Bible (𝕸) and refers not only to the robe of the high priest but also any robe worn over a tunic by men of rank, such asthe robe Jonathan gave to David, or his mantle whichJob tore in desperation, and also the outer cloak of women, such as the robe worn by David's daughters.
It was a sleeveless,purple-blue or violet[2] robe, woven in a single piece. The opening in the center for the High Priest's head to pass through was woven, not cut or torn (Exodus 28:32). The lower hem of the garment was fringed with small golden bells alternating withpomegranate-shaped tassels of blue (turquoise), purple and scarlet wool (Exodus 28:33–34).
The golden bells were a necessity, and they must ring when the High Priest entered theHoly of Holies on theYom Kippur, lest he die (Exodus 28:35).
Rashi deduced alaw for all the priestly vestments: “From the negative one can derive the positive: if he will have them he will not be liable for death; thus, if he enters lacking one of these garments he is liable for death at the hands of Heaven.”[3]Maimonides rules likewise.[4]
Rashi points out in his commentary on theTalmud that the fashioning and wearing of the priestly robeatoned for thesin oflashon hara on the part of theIsraelites inZevachim 88b. As the High Priest walked, the bells noisily announced his presence, and because the noise emanated from the robe, it served as a reminder for people to refrain from gossip.[citation needed]
The Talmud also states that the tassels between each bell on the robe were made of turquoise, purple, and scarlet wool. These three materials signify the three people injured when Lashon Hara is spoken: the speaker, the listener, and the one who is talked about.[citation needed]