#hoshen

magic stones in Judaism: the hoshen (priestly breastplate) gems

you may have seen modern-day Jewish talismans (in the form of jewelry, wall-hangings, key-chains, etc.) bearing a particular sequence of precious stones - these reference the stones set in the breastplate worn by the kohen gadol or high priest of the Israelites, as described in Exodus.

this passage from The Encyclopedia of Jewish Myth, Magic and Mysticism by Rabbi Geoffrey W. Dennis lists some of the stones’ properties:

Jews...have many occult traditions related to gemstones, and their power is suggested in the Latin proverb, Judaeos fidem in lapidibus pretiosis, et Paganos in herbis ponere (“Jews put their trust in precious stones and Pagans in herbs”). 

The most famous gems mentioned in the Bible are the twelve stones, set in three columns of four rows, in the breastplate of the High Priest. Miraculous properties have been ascribed to the twelve stones, primarily as tools in divination. Since the exact translation of Biblical mineralogical terms is now lost, there are multiple conflicting lists for the stones that were actually used. This list comes from the medieval text Sefer Gematriot:

Odem (Ruby) has many benefits for fertility—it enhances male potency, prevents miscarriage, and eases labor pangs. Pitdah (Topaz) combats fevers and is also useful in love potions and rituals. Bareket (Carbuncle) sharpens the mind and combats the effects of old age. Tarshish (Beryl) helps digestion. Nofech (Jade, Emerald or Carbuncle) enhances strength and courage. Sapir (Sapphire) has medicinal value, especially in treatment of the eyes. Yahalom (Emerald) is a good luck charm and a sleep-aid. Leshem (Jacinth) can be used for scrying. Shebo (Agate) keeps a person secure and stable on foot or on horseback. Shoham (Onyx) is a charm that will gain favor for the wearer. Ahlamah (Amethyst) increases physical courage and is a phylactery against evil spirits. Yashfeh (Jasper) is useful in keeping one from revealing secrets and in curbing ardor.

as mentioned above, we don’t know for certain which stones actually correspond to the names given in the text, and there are many different alternatives suggested based on both the color described and the likelihood of finding a particular mineral in this historical context/location. 

each stone was meant to represent one of the twelve tribes of Israel, and the name of each tribe was supposedly inscribed on the gems using the legendary shamir worm (who also aided in the construction of Solomon’s temple).  

@starlitsun

I! Love! Hoshen! She was probably one of, if not my first, tumblr friend. She's such a sweetie, and I adore her. I started talking to her, like, four years ago? Absolutely amazing friend, she really got me through my toughest times back when I was so alone. We don't talk much anymore, but I still love her as a best friend, and appreciate the hell out of her. Ugh, I could go on about her, she was seriously one of my best friends (still is, we are just a little less close because life got super busy for both of us, and as I said, we don't talk as much as we once did) and she got me through so much in my life. Love you, Hoshi ∞<

So, to honour that I lowkey decided to be a bit geeky and make a smol and short poem about my best friend @yinfenatic

Hoshen, What a lovely name for a lovely face she truly is full of beauty and grace. You may not see it, But just know I do.

You say that I am amazing and handsome and all the things in between, yet you deny when I say you are the loveliest thing I’ve ever seen. We’ve had late night laughs and late night cries, but you always help take me back down when I get to my highest highs…

A few bad habits between you and I, but you’re always there for me when I need to be reminded that… I really am an okay guy…

A day or so without a word from you feels like years. But it’s always with you that I no longer have any fears. You are so strong and so brave, I insist, I am the one who was saved.

6, 10, 14, 18, 29, 41, 42 :))

Sorry if it’s too much but I really wanna learn more about you <3

- @yinfenatic 

We had to get a little creative on how to do this because there were some ask box issues! But we worked around it! Thank you, Hoshen dear, for these! <3 I’d love it if I could ask you some too!! And no, it’s not too many! I love doing these haha. ;)

6: Do you wish to travel a lot? Yes, yes, yes! I want to travel so many places! I live in the U.S (I’ve been almost everywhere in North America) and I’ve only ever been out of the country to the Bahamas! (Which I loved, btw. It was a cruise and I felt like a princess). But I would LOVE to travel all over the world, really. 

10: Do you like the way that you grew up? Well, yes. I did have a good childhood and have an amazing family, but there were definitely some really hard things I had to go through. An uncle I adored passed away, my biological father gave me up and my grandfather turned out to be really terrible person. Plus some awful other things I can’t go into right now. All of this happened by the time I was nine years old. It made a huge impact on me. But, as I said, I do have an amazing family and my childhood was a happy one despite the hardships. :)

14: Do you prefer to read poetry, write poetry, or neither? I confess, I don’t read poetry but I have written some before. It doesn’t happen often but sometimes it hits me and I just have to write it down. :) 

18: A random memory from your childhood: Ooh..let me think for a minute. . . A really happy memory for me is when I took a vacation with my mom and my adoptive father (my dad now) and my then, at the time, best friend, Allie. We were 7, I think. We took a trip to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and camped for about 2 weeks! It was so much fun getting to spend that time with my family and my friend. I remember one night we were at some memorial and we were catching fireflies in our hands! And another, since it was the Fourth of July, us all watching the fireworks in the historical area. I’ll always remember that trip and Allie! 

29: What is a strange talent that you have? Hmm. Well, I’m not really sure if this counts as strange (probably not) but I have this uncanny ability to do really complicated braids. I taught myself how from the internet. I was so proud of myself the time I completed a perfect five strand french braid on myself. My aunt is constantly asking me to braid her hair whenever I’m around her now!

41: When was the last time you got really really happy and why? The last time I was really, really happy was probably last year when I got to see the birth of my nephew. It was a very emotional experience and holding him for the first time was a perfect feeling. <3 I love being around him!

42: What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten? I am a pretty picky eater so whatever the strangest things I’ve had may not be so strange to someone else. But okay. This one time my grandfather made goat stew. I don’t know if you’ve had goat...or if you like it, (and if you do, that’s awesome) but the smell of it when I walked into the house....and the bitter taste...*shudders* Never have had goat again. Nope.

I would like to imagine we practically are, but in, like a really weird not easy to explain way… We’re parabatai, and we’re like siblings. She’s the sister I never had @yinfenatic, what do you think about more shippers??