Comentário sobre Êxodo 28:15

חשן משפט THE BREAST-PLATE OF JUDGMENT — it was so called because it atoned for any error in judgment (cf. Zevachim 88b; Jerusalem Talmud Yoma 7:5). Another explanation of why it is called “the breast-plate of משפט”, is because it makes its statements clear (definite — so that there can be no doubt about their meaning) and its promise is true; discerement in old French, (sentence of judgment). Because the word משפט is used in three senses: the contentions of the parties to the law-suit, the pronouncement of the sentence and the punishment attendant on the sentence, whether it be punishment of death or punishment of flagellation or punishment involving a monetary payment; here it is used in the sense of making its statements definite, so that this is the breast-plate with the Urim and Thummim which explains and makes its statement clear.

חשן משפט, the name reflects the fact that in the pocket of the breastplate there was placed the parchment with the Holy name of G’d, known popularly as urim vetumim, the tool by means of which G’d could be consulted if the High Priest did not know the answer to a question involving Jewish religious law. He would then consult G’d and receive his answer by the letters on the breastplate becoming illuminated. (compare Numbers 27,21).

Its promise is true. . . Meaning: anything that one was not sure whether or not to do, would go to [and inquire from] the breastplate, which had all the letters of the alef beis. If Heaven wished to tell him to do it, letters would stand out and form a word. In that word was written whether or not to do it.

כמעשה אפד AFTER THE WORK OF THE EPHOD — the work of an artist and of the five materials.

Here it is used in the sense of making its words clear. . . Meaning: משפט conveys three possibilities, one of which is “the handing down of the verdict.” The term משפט which is part of the name given to the breastplate refers to “the handing down of the verdict,” i.e., clarifying the matter.