For the source text click/tap here: Yoma 35
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They brought the High Priest to immerse a second time in the Hall of Parva, which was in the sacred area, the Temple courtyard.
In the morning he would wear linen garments from the Egyptian city of Pelusium worth twelve maneh, 1,200 dinars or zuz. These garments were very expensive due to their high quality. And in the afternoon he wore linen garments from India, which were slightly less expensive, worth eight hundred zuz.
We will try to identify the function of the special "bigdei lavan," the white linen garments donned by the kohen gadol on this special day, referred to by the verse as "bigdei habad" - "linen clothing."
Why must the kohen change out of his standard clothing? Does this change mark a heightened spiritual quality or perhaps a lower status?
We explore the linens and their possible midrashic meaning as well as the history of Indian linen.