3,969. Inquiring of the Urim v'Tumim

Hilchos Klei HaMikdash 10:11

Inquiry was made of the urim v’tumim as follows: The Kohein Gadol stood facing the Ark with the one bringing the inquiry behind him, facing his back. The one bringing the inquiry would ask (for example), “Should I go to war or not?” He didn’t ask in a loud voice, nor would he merely think the question silently. Rather, he spoke aloud in a soft voice, like someone praying privately. God’s spirit would then enwrap the Kohein Gadol, who would look at the breastplate with prophetic vision and see either “Go up” or “Do not go up” emerging from the letters of the breastplate towards his face. The Kohein Gadol would then convey the response to the one asking.

Hilchos Klei HaMikdash 10:12

One may not inquire about two different things at the same time. If one did so, only the first would be answered. Inquiry was not made of the urim v’tumim by a regular citizen, only by a king, the court or someone whose services are required the community, as per Numbers 27:21: “He shall stand before Elazar the kohein... he and all the children of Israel with him, and the entire congregation.” “He” refers to the king, “all the children of Israel” refers to the kohein anointed for purposes of war or someone else whom the community need to inquire, and “the entire congregation” refers to the Sanhedrin.