[Avodah] Some interesting facts about the Avnet

[Marty Bluke]

The Avnet is one of the lesser known bigdei kehuna. In the Chumash it
doesn't say how long the Avnet was, however, the Yerushalmi (Yoma 8:3)
states that it was 32 amos long (between 48-64 feet). I always thought
of the Avnet as a belt. However, the Gemara in Zevachim (19a) learns
out that the avnet is actually worn higher, right under the heart.

Tosafos in Erchin 16b states that the Kohen wrapped it around 2 times,
the Shita Mekubetzes there states 32 times (kneged lev). Both of these
opinions seem very difficult.

The avergae waist/chest is somewhere between 36 and 40 inches. 2
obviously doesn't work, the Avnet was 48 -64 feet long (depending on
how long an amah is) and 2 wrappings only uses about 6 feet. What did
the kohen do with the other 40+ feet? On the other hand 32 is too
many. Event taking an average waist/chest of 36 inches (3 feet) 64 /3
is 21.3 much less then 32.