Constructing the Mishkan

In the Torah portion Terumah , the Jews are commanded to bring Terumah , offerings, for use in the Mishkan. The command is repeated three times: “They shall take unto Me Terumah ;” “you shall take My Terumah ;” “This is the Terumah that you shall take.”5

Our Sages comment6 that the Torah is referring here to three different offerings: The first reference is to the offering used in constructing the sockets for the Mishkan ’s beams; the second refers to the donation of silver half-shekels for the purchase of communal offerings; the third refers to general offerings for the construction of the Mishkan.

Of these three, only the last is described here in detail; the first two are only hinted at, and are described at length in later portions.7 Since all three Terumah offerings were for the sake of the Mishkan , why were they not all described here in detail?

The Mishkan was built in order to provide a dwelling place for G-d in this world — “And you shall build for Me a Sanctuary so that I may dwell in your midst.”8

The building of a Mishkan foreshadows the transformation of the entire world into a dwelling place for G-d. This is accomplished through Torah, Divine service, and deeds of kindness — the “three pillars” upon which the world stands.9

Since the transformation of the world into a Mishkan is connected to the building of the physical Mishkan , it can be understood that these three pillars played a part in the construction of the Mishkan as well.

Torah is the root and foundation of all spiritual service. Every level and manner of serving G-d through mitzvos and good deeds is rooted in and based upon Torah, for every aspect of Judaism has its foundation and beginning in Torah.

In the construction of the Mishkan , Torah is alluded to by the Terumah for sockets, since they served as the underpinnings of the entire structure, just as Torah serves as the underpinning of all Judaism.

The Terumah used for the purchase of communal sacrifices relates to Divine service, for “Divine service” involves sacrificial offerings10 and prayer — prayer having been substituted for offerings.11

The general Terumah for the Mishkan , which included gold, silver, copper, etc., corresponds to the service of mitzvos — all of which are known by the term “deeds of kindness”12 — for they are performed with physical objects similar to those used in constructing the Mishkan. This third manner of service — “deeds of kindness” — possesses a quality lacking in the first two. Torah and prayer relate to an individual’s spiritual occupation with himself. Consequently, they are only able to affect the individual; uniting a person with G-d’s wisdom.

“Deeds of kindness” — the service of mitzvos — however, requires one to be involved with physical matter. Here a person is able to transform physical things — by using them in the performance of mitzvos — into holy objects.

It is specifically through man’s transforming of the world into a Mishkan that the Divine intent of creation is fulfilled, for “G-d earnestly desired a dwelling place in the nethermost level,”13 i.e., this lowly physical world.14 But in order for this manner of service to be proper and complete, man must also possess the attributes of Torah and prayer.

Since all aspects of spiritual service are reflected in the Mishkan , the Torah portion details only the general Terumah — man’s service of mitzvos — for that is the ultimate intent.

The Aron, Kapores and the Keruvim

The Torah portion Terumah contains the command to make the Aron , (the Ark), the Kapores (the lid for the Ark), and the Keruvim (the Cherubs that jutted out from the edges of the lid).15

According to Rashi , the Ark and its lid were two distinct entities,16 while Ramban maintains that the Ark’s covering was part and parcel of the Ark; only when the Kapores was upon the Ark could it be called the Aron.17

Why do they differ?

According to the Ramban , the main reason for G-d’s desiring a Mishkan was to have a place for the indwelling of the Divine Presence.18 This was accomplished by placing the “Testimony” within an Ark that had upon it the Kapores and the Keruvim.

According to Rashi , however, the purpose of the Aron was for the storage of the Torah,19 while the Kapores had a different function. “I shall make Myself known to you and I shall speak to you from above the Kapores , from between the two Keruvim.”20

This leads to yet another disagreement between Rashi and the Ramban : According to Rashi , the Keruvim were part of the Kapores , which was, as mentioned previously, wholly distinct from the Aron , while according to Ramban the Keruvim together with the Kapores and Aron served one purpose — they were a place where the Divine Presence resided.21

In light of the above, the reason for yet another difference between Rashi and the Ramban becomes clear: According to Rashi , the Keruvim looked like human infants,22 while according to the Ramban they resembled the Divine Chariot seen by Yechezkel.23

Since according to Ramban the Keruvim served as a residence for the Divine Presence, its form was symbolic of that Presence — the Divine Chariot. According to Rashi , however, who maintains that the Kapores and Keruvim were wholly distinct from the Ark, they resembled human infants, thereby emphasizing G-d’s love for the Jewish people, as the verse states: “For Israel is but a lad, and therefore I love him.”24

Thus, according to Rashi the Aron with its “Testimony” denoted the Torah, while the Kapores and the Keruvim , serving as the place where G-d made His will known, emphasized G-d’s love for the Jewish people.

On a more esoteric level, the difference between the two sages lies in the following:

The Aron , containing as it did the “Testimony,” is symbolic of Torah. Thus the Ramban notes25 that all the Jews took part in making the Ark “so that they all merit Torah.”26

It thus follows that according to the Ramban , who maintains that the Kapores and Keruvim were one with the Aron , the phrase “I shall make Myself known to you… and speak to you from above the Kapores between the Keruvim ” relates entirely to the Torah, while according to Rashi the Aron related to Torah while the Kapores and Keruvim related to G-d’s love for the Jews.

The reason for this difference between Ramban and Rashi is as follows: Ramban speaks in a revealed manner about esoteric matters of Torah. His commentary therefore deals with things as they are seen to exist. In this state, “Jews are bound to Torah and Torah is bound to G-d”27 — only through Torah can the Jewish people be bound to G-d.

The commentary of Rashi , however, speaks of the simple meaning of the verses, and as such addresses the essential aspect of the Jew — wholly one with G-d’s simplicity.28 This direct connection of a Jew with G-d transcends the connection achieved through Torah.29

Accordingly, Rashi states that the Keruvim , which indicated G-d’s love for the Jewish people, were in the shape of infants, for the essential love of a father for his child is not dependent on anything; it stems from the simple fact that father and child are one. And it was this love that was revealed by the shape of the Keruvim.

Based on Likkutei Sichos Vol. XXVI, pp. 175-181.

FOOTNOTES

1. Zohar II 224a.
2. Tanchuma, Terumah 8. See also commentary of Rashi, Shmos 31:18, 33:11.
3. Zohar II 195a; Ramban beginning of Torah portion of Vayakhel.
4. Eruvin 13b and places cited there.
5. Shmos 25:2-3.
6. Yerushalmi, Shekalim 1:5.
7. The first Terumah in Pekudei , 38:25ff; the second Terumah in Sisa, 30:13ff.
8. Shmos 25:8.
9. Avos 1:2.
10. Commentary of Rashi and Bartenura et al , Avos ibid.
11. Berachos 26b; See also commentary of Rabbeinu Yonah to Avos ibid.
12. Likkutei Torah, Re’eh 23c.
13. Tanya ch. 36, based on Tanchuma, Naso 16.
14. Ibid.
15. Shmos 25:10-22.
16. See Rashi ibid. verse 21.
17. See commentary of Ramban on verses ibid.
18. See ibid. 25:1.
19. See commentary of Rashi ibid. verse 16.
20. Ibid. verse 22 and see commentary of Rashi.
21. Commentary of Ramban ibid. verse 22.
22. Rashi ibid. verse 18.
23. Ramban ibid. verse 21.
24. Hosheiah 11:1.
25. Shmos 25:10.
26. Shmos Rabbah 34:2. See also Rabbeinu Bachya and Abarbanel on the verse ibid.
27. See Zohar III 73a.
28. See Likkutei Dibburim III, 491b.
29. Bereishis Rabbah 1:4; Tanna d’Vei Eliyahu Rabbah ch. 14. See also Likkutei Torah, Shir HaShirim 19:b-c; Hemshech 5666 , ma’amar titled Vayidabeir… b’Midbar Sinai.