There are plenty of sources within Judaism that highlight the need for individuality and the need for collectivism. Rarely, do we find a source that points to both notions in one shot. A lot has been written about the stones on the Kohen's breast plate (חושן). However, very few of us ever talk about the stones on the Eyphod (apron-like garment) known as the Shoham Stones. What was the difference between the classic stones on the Choshen and the stones on the Eyphod? The Choshen had many individual stones, while the Eyphod stones were all the same. Rav Moshe Lichtenstein explains that the clothing of the High Priest illustrates the notion of personal balance in our lives. The stones of the Choshen encourages us to express our individuality while the stones of the Eyphod underscore the need for indentifying with the collective whole. The Choshen, the expression of individuality, was worn on the heart - the seat of our personality. The Eyphod, the expression of our collective personality, was worn on our shoulders (the burden of community). They both are kept together "ולא יזח החושן". Express yourself and Conform yourself.