The Cohanim, priests, are the representatives of the Jewish people before G-d. They drew down forgiveness and blessings through the services that they performed on behalf of the Jewish people in the Mishkan - Tabernacle - and the Holy Temple.  Since the Holy Temple was destroyed, the priests draw down blessings upon the Jewish people through reciting the Priestly blessing.  

Aaron, the brother of Moses, was the original High Priest. He is described as someone who loved peace, pursued peace, loved all creatures, and brought all close to Torah. He was known to bring peace between husbands and wives, between colleagues and friends. His life’s purpose to bring unity amongst the Jewish people.

Therefore, he and his descendants were chosen for the unique role of being channels of blessing from G-d to the Jewish people.

The High Priest, the Cohen Gadol, wore eight different garments while performing the services of the Mishkan – Tabernacle. One of the garments was the Choshen, the breastplate, upon which were 12 stones, inscribed with the name of each tribe. He carried the tribes upon his heart. The breastplate represented the tribes as they were at their best, each with unique characteristics, each with a purpose and goal in life that they were achieving. This represented G-d’s relationship with the Jewish people expressed through the performance of the mitzvot- commandments.

Another garment worn by the High Priest was the robe. This reached the floor, the lowest levels. On the bottom of the garment were bells and pomegranates. This represented the intrinsic Jew, the Jew who is a Jew by virtue of possessing a Jewish soul. The pomegranates on the bottom of the robe were there to signify that even the simplest Jew is filled with mitzvot like a pomegranate is filled with seeds. The bells ring, reminding G-d to forgive His children and to have mercy upon them.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Zushe Cunin