The Hoshen is the breastplate, first worn the High Priest Aaron, brother of Moshe, in the Tabernacle in the desert, and subsequently worn by every high priest since while performing his holy duties.
The Hoshen served as an intermediary between the twelve tribes and God. The gemstones represented the link between the perfection of nature and the aspirations of man.
There were 12 precious stones in the Hoshen maybe for representing the twelve tribes of the Children of Israel, and each stone has served as an expression of faith and optimism throughout the generations.
The twelve stones symbolize the unity of the Jewish people and their equal status before the Almighty. As precious and non-precious stones were set together in the Hoshen, so too are the noble born and the commoner are all equal before God.
The twelve stones of the Hoshen are:
| Carnelion Ruby |
Reuven | symbol of love and marriage; aids conception, pregnancy and birth |
| Topaz | Shimon | brings blessing of joy and abundance to your life |
| Emerald | Levi | symbol of generosity, modesty and kindness |
| Turquoise | Yehuda | leads to success in business affairs |
| Lapis Lazuli | Yissachar | symbol of honesty and clarity of thought |
| Quartz | Zevulun | bestows strength; symbolises purity and the love of truth |
| Jacinth | Dan | stimulates creativity; brings on to silf-fulfillment |
| Agate | Naphtali | has a special calming effect |
| Amethyst | Gad | symbol of spiritual strength; guards against negative energies |
| Chrysolite | Asher | purifies both body and soul; brings inner peace |
| Onyx | Yosef | strengthens one's courage and self-control |
| Jasper | Binyamin | bestows physical strength; raises self-esteem |
