Choshen Set

וּמִלאתָ בוֹ מִלאַת אֶבֶן אַרְבָּעָה טוּרִים אָבֶן טוּר”

אדֶם פִּטְדָה וּבָרֶקֶת הַטוּר הָאֶחָד

וְהַטּוּר הַשּׁנִי נפֶךְ סַפִּיר וְיָהֲלֹם

וְהַטוּר הַשלִישִׁי לֶשֶׁם שְׁבוֹ וְאַחְלָֽמָה

“הַטוּר הָֽרְבִיעִי תַּרְשִׁישׁ וְשׁהַם וְיָשְׁפֵה מְשֻׁבָּצִים זָהָב יִהְיוּ בְּמִלוּאתָם

In his commentary on Parshat Tetzaveh, Rabbeinu Bachaye mentions in Midrash Talpiot that “there is not a single gemstone among all the precious stones that does not draw its energy from the supernal realms.”

He further explains (Rabbeinu Bachaye, Shemos 28:15) that, according to natural wisdom and scientific understanding, there are twelve primary root stones, with all other stones being their descendants — “All other stones derive from these.”

Kabbalah reveals the profound knowledge associated with these twelve gemstones. Each tribe was assigned a specific colored stone to symbolize their unique Heavenly attribute and spiritual rectification. Over generations, many Sages have elaborated on the distinct qualities of these twelve stones, although there are still varying opinions regarding their exact identities.

The Zohar teaches that these twelve gemstones harness power from twelve parallel supernal channels. In Heaven all is boundless; yet below it is contained in the twelve choshen stones. These twelve stones are also correlated with various sets of twelve, including months, hours of day and night, and zodiac signs/mazal.