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<p>In Avodah Digest V26#45, R'Micha quoted RDrMC:<br>
> R Matisyahu Clark's Hirchian Dictionary has<br>
<< ChShN: shield, protect chest<br>
e[xplanation]/c[ommentary]: breast pocket; pouch (Ex 28:4 choshen v'eiphod um'il)<br>
c[ognate] m[eaning]: absorb and store [p[honetic] c[ognates](A26): /ChSN/ store strength; /ChTzN/ arm; /AZN/ ponder; /ASN/ distress; /EShN/ concentrate smoke; /HTzN/ arm] >> <<br>
>From RSRH (ILevy translation) on Ex 28:4: "This word only occurs referring to this article of clothing of the High Priest. According to V.16 its size was a square span and according to V.22-29 [dare I say: V.29-30 --MP] it was worn on the breast [as RaShY notes on V.4 --MP], hence it is usually translated a 'breast plate.' It is phonetically related to <ches-samech-nun> which means the safe keeping of valuable possessions, and to <ches-tzadi-nun> the arm bent to hold something fast. According[ly --MP] <ches-shin-nun> which was double (V.16) and which was for the purpose of keeping the Urim and Tumim between its two layers, would really designate a kind of breast pocket or pouch."<br>
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All the best from<br>
--Michael Poppers via RIM pager</body></html>