B"H

Monday, 20 Adar 1, 5776 / February 29, 2016 – HAKHEL YEAR

One of the items in the Mishkan (Tabernacle), mentioned in this week’s Parsha, Vayakhel, was the ark (Aron). 

The ark stood in the most sacred place in the Sanctuary, called “Holy of Holies,” which was at the western side of the Mishkan.  No one was allowed to enter there, except for the High Priest and only on Yom Kippur in order to perform the special Yom Kippur service there.

The ark was made of three boxes. The outer and inner ones were made of pure gold while the middle one was made of acacia wood.  Thus, the wood was completely covered, only the gold was visible.

The ark had four rings - two on each side, through which two poles were housed, with which the ark was carried when they had to travel while in the desert.  It took four people to carry the ark.

Carrying the ark was a miracle in itself.  The weight of all the gold, especially the cover of the ark, was too heavy for four people to carry.  But, as our sages tell us, “It was the ark which carried its carriers.”

Other vessels of the Mishkan also had poles for carrying, yet, the ark was different.  The Torah tells us that these poles were never to be removed from the ark.  Even when they camped; or even when the permanent Temple in Jerusalem was built, the poles had to stay in their rings, never to be removed. 

Q.   What is the significance that the carrying poles have to always be together with the ark?

A.  The ark, in which the Tablets and the Torah were stored, represents the Torah scholar. The carrying poles represent the business people who support Torah and make it possible for them to teach and study Torah.  The reward for those who support Torah is no less then for those who study Torah, for one compliments the other. The future of Judaism depends on the scholar and the supporter. This is why they always have to stay together.

Q.   The Holy of Holies was at the western side of the Mishkan and Temple, because G-d’s presence (Shechina) is in the west.  Why then do we pray facing east?

A.   We pray facing east toward Jerusalem. If someone is on the east side of Jerusalem, they would have to pray to the west. 

The fact that G-d’s presence is in the west, is expressed during the Friday night Shabbat Service (Kabalat Shabbat).  At one point, when we welcome the Shabbat Queen, we turn around facing west.  This is an expression of welcoming the Shechina (Divine presence) which is in the west.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY