Priestly breastplate

The priestly breastplate (Hebrew: חֹשֶׁן ẖošen) was a sacred breastplate worn by the High Priest of the Israelites, according to the Book of Exodus. In the biblical account, the breastplate is sometimes termed the breastplate of judgement, because the Urim and Thummim were placed within it. These stones were, at times, used to determine God’s will in a particular situation (see Exodus 28:30). It should be noted that using these stones did not always determine God's will (see 1 Samuel 28:6). If any other way was not given by God, the high priest would find God's guidance.

Hebrew Bible

According to the description in Exodus, this breastplate was attached to the ephod by gold chains/cords tied to the gold rings on the ephod's shoulder straps, and by blue ribbon tied to the gold rings at the lower parts of the ephod. The biblical description states that the breastplate was also to be made from the same material as the Ephod - embroidered linen - and was to be a square, a cubit in width, two layers thick, and with four rows of three engraved gems each embedded upon it, each jewel being framed in gold. The description states that the square breastplate was to be formed from two equal rectangular pieces of cloth - suggesting that its appearance was similar to a backless waistcoat, with a pouch inside to contain the Urim and Thummim. The term for the breastplate, hoshen, appears to be connected either to its function or to its appearance; some scholars think that it is probably derived from Hebrew hasuna, meaning "beautiful," while others think that it is more likely to derive from Hebrew sinus, meaning "a fold for containing something."

Hoshen (organization)

Hoshen (Hebrew: חושן Hoshen) is an Israeli non-profit LGBT organization which is listed by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association as the largest such organization in Israel. Hoshen is the Hebrew acronym for Education and Change.

History

In 1976, Dr. Moshe Dov established The Aguda's Lecturing Service. In 2001, the organization was reformed into Hoshen, a non-profit volunteer organization whose purpose is to fight stereotypes regarding sexual orientation and gender identity. In July 2004 it became an independent public-benefit corporation. Hoshen is officially recognized by the Educational Psychological Authority of the Ministry of Education. Hoshen offers; educational activities, theoretical lectures, workshops and seminars. The "personal story" is one of its primary educational activities, in which two LGBT individuals share their own personal story that helps the audience relate with them.

Activities

Personal story

The organization's main educational activity is the personal story in which two LGBT individuals share their own personal story. The volunteer's stories help the audience relate to them. Their personal stories also outline the difficulties they had to face and sometimes the price they had to pay.