Another matter: “This is the matter” – on the basis of what merit would Aaron enter the Holy of Holies? Rabbi Ḥanina son of Rabbi Yishmael said: The merit of circumcision would enter with him, as it is stated: “With this [bezot] shall Aaron come [into the Sanctuary]” (Leviticus 16:3) – this is circumcision, just as it says: “This is [zot] My covenant that you shall observe” (Genesis 17:10). Likewise it says: “My covenant was with him, life and peace” (Malachi 2:5).
Rabbi Yitzḥak says: The merit of the tribes would enter with him, as it is stated: “This is [vezeh] the matter that you shall do to them.” The numerical value of zeh is twelve;24Zayin – 7; heh – 5. Together they sum to twelve. these are the twelve stones that were placed on Aaron’s heart, upon which were the names of the tribes. They were placed in this order: Reuben, ruby; Simeon, topaz; Levi, emerald; Judah, carbuncle; Issachar, sapphire; Zebulun, clear quartz; Dan, jacinth; Naphtali, agate: Gad, amethyst; Asher, beryl; Joseph, onyx; Benjamin, chalcedony.
What is the reason? So the Holy One blessed be He would look at them and at the priestly vestments upon [the High Priest’s] entry on Yom Kippur and be reminded of the merit of the tribes.25The High Priest would wear four garments of white linen when he entered the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur. He would not be wearing the breastplate with the stones representing the tribes. Nonetheless, when the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies in accordance with the Torah’s requirements, the merit of that observance and the merit of the priestly garments he would wear most of the time would arouse Divine mercy.
Rabbi Yehoshua of Sikhnin said in the name of Rabbi Levi: This is analogous to the son of kings whose tutor would enter before [the king] to speak in favor of his son,26The son had sinned against the king and the tutor sought to assuage the king’s anger. but he feared that perhaps [the king’s] attendants would harm him. What did the king do? He clothed him in his royal purple garment so they would see him and fear him.
So too, Aaron would regularly enter the Holy of Holies. Were it not for the many merits that would enter with him and assist him, he would not have been able to enter. Why? It is because the ministering angels were there.
What did the Holy One blessed be He do for him? He gave him the [garments] like the holy garments, as it is stated: “You shall make tunics for the sons of Aaron” (Exodus 28:40) just as it is written: “And He donned righteousness like a coat of armor and a helmet of salvation on His head; He donned garments of vengeance [for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak]” (Isaiah 59:17).27The four references to God’s clothing, as it were, parallel the four garments with which the High Priest enters the Holy of Holies.