The Bells Are Heard and the Golden Frontlet Inscribed Holy to the LORD

"And its sound shall be heard when he enters the holy place" (Exodus 28:35). Rabbi Yochanan, when he would go up to inquire after the welfare of Rabbi Hanina, would clear his throat, on account of "and its sound shall be heard." Rabbi Hananiah ben Hakhinai and Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai went to study Torah with Rabbi Akiva in Bnei Brak. They stayed there thirteen years. Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai sent word and knew what was happening in his house. Rabbi Hananiah ben Hakhinai did not know what was happening in his house. His wife sent to him: "Your daughter has come of age; come and marry her off." Even so, Rabbi Akiva foresaw it through the holy spirit and said to them: "Whoever has a grown daughter, let him go and marry her off." He arose, took permission, and went. He sought her at his house and found that it opened to a different corner. What did he do? He went and sat at the gathering-place of the women and heard the voices of the people saying, "Daughter of Hakhinai, fill your jug and go up." He walked behind her until she entered his house, and he entered after her suddenly. His wife did not have time to see him before her soul departed. He said before Him: "Master of the universe, this poor woman, is this her reward after thirteen years?" Her soul returned to her body. Rabbi Shimon said: four things the Holy One, blessed be He, hates, and I too do not love them: one who grasps his member and urinates, one who has relations naked, one who speaks of matters between himself and his wife in public, and one who enters his fellow's house suddenly. "The engravings of a signet, holy to the LORD" (Exodus 28:36). The frontlet resembled a kind of plate of gold, two fingers wide, encircling from ear to ear, and upon it were written two lines: "Yod-Heh" above and "holy" below. And Rabbi Elazar son of Rabbi Yose said: I saw it in Rome, and upon it was written "holy to the LORD" in one line. When Rav Dimi came he said: from where do we know that any ornament whatsoever is susceptible to impurity? From the frontlet. That any woven thing whatsoever is impure, from "or a garment" (Leviticus 11:32); that any woven thing or ornament whatsoever, from "any vessel." And although it is written regarding Midian, one derives "vessel" "vessel" from there. Sackcloth is added to garment, that although it is not woven, it is impure. For what is it fit? Rabbi Yochanan said: a poor man braids three threads and hangs it on his daughter's neck. It was taught: a cap of wool was placed on the head of the High Priest, and upon it the frontlet was set, to fulfill what is said, "and you shall put it on a thread of blue" (Exodus 28:37).