והנשאם הביאו את אבני השהם ואת אבני המלאוים לאפוד ולחשן
Chizkuni teaches that when the Nesiim left Egypt, they chose to include precious stones among their requests of the Egyptians. They knew that there would be a Sanctuary and that the Kohanim would administer the service under the leadership of a Kohen Gadol. They were aware that the Kohen Gadol would wear special Priestly Vestments, among which would be the Ephod and Choshen – two articles that would have the names of the tribes inscribed on them l’zikaron, for a remembrance. They would be the ones to contribute the stones on behalf of the tribes which they represented. The Midrash…
