The Book of Exodus ends with
the final erection of the Tabernacle. The construction of the Temple covers
about four and a half of eleven parshas of this book of the Torah. It concludes
with the cloud of Hashem covering the Mishkan and His glory filling it. The
Chumash continues that Moshe was not able to enter the Temple because of the
cloud and the glory of G-d (see Exodus 40:34-5).
This is similar to the
dedication of Temple built by King Solomon described in the standard haphtarah
of this parsha. The concluding act is the placement of the Ark of the Covenant
in its place by the cohanim. When the priests leave the sanctuary it becomes covered
with the cloud of Hashem and they are not able to reenter because the glory of
Hashem fills the House of Hashem (see 1 Kings 7:6 – 12). Shlomo Hamelech
explains that Hashem said that he will dwell in a thick haze (ערפל).
Likewise a thick cloud covers
Mount Sinai just before the Ten Commandments are given (see Shmos 19:16). After
this revelation Moshe enters into the haze (ערפל)
where G-d is to be found (see Shmos 20:18). In an extreme example of this
darkness Aharon the High Priest is cautioned against entering into the Holy of
Holies lest he die because Hashem appears in a cloud above the cover the of the
Ark of the Covenant.
On the other hand there are
vivid accounts of visions of Hashem. With the giving of the Ten Commandments
the people hear the voice of Hashem. A blood covenant follows in which Moshe,
Aharon and his sons, and the seventy elders of the nation and see the G-d of
Israel as if it is through the prism of a sapphire (see Shmos 24:9-11). In
addition when Moshe ascends the mountain the glory of G-d appears like a
consuming fire on its summit. There also are the visions of G-d on His throne
with the heavenly court in attendance that were seen by Isaiah (chapter 6) and
Ezekiel (chapter 1).
The Ramban explains that the
glory of G-d is covered and concealed in the cloud and haze. In a similar theme
the Kli Yakar explains that if not for the cloud it would be impossible to view
the glory of G-d because it is a consuming fire. The prophet Yishiyahu adds a
moral dimension, when after seeing visions of the Throne of Glory, cries out in
fear that he is a man of unclean lips living among a nation of unclean lips.
With that an angel touches his lips with a burning coal and says that his sins
have left and his mistakes have been atoned for.
Psalm 97 describes a
confrontation with Hashem. Cloud and haze surround Him and, righteousness and
principle are the foundations of His throne. Fire goes out before Him and flame
engulfs His antagonists. Mountains melt like wax before the Master of the
Universe. Humiliated will be those that serve the illegitimate and take pride
in illusions of power.
It is through this that we
begin to understand the difficulties in approaching truth. So to speak we are
kept in the dark because there are aspects of our personal life and national
life that are not good. Approaching Hashem can mean acceptance of ideas and
practices that initially we may not find pleasing. In exploring religion there
is often a subtle recognition that dearly held positions may easily melt upon
examination.
On the other hand some
precepts and practices may be intimidating in their beauty. This may cause some
to fear that they will be seduced into a direction they do not wish to go. To
make matters worse there are truths that can destroy. For these reasons a
person must be honest and level headed to ascend in holiness. There are some
precepts and practices that are easy and can be accepted immediately. There are
others that should only be viewed as distant stars even though they are very
beautiful. There are still others that should be held in abeyance and
investigated. In the end wise student will see that G-d protects the souls of
those devoted to Him, that light is sown for the righteous, and to the straight
of heart there is joy.
לע"נ, האמה ,מלכה בת חיים ז"ל
נלב"ע ט"ז ניסן תשנ"ח
Acknowledgements to websites:
תורת אמת, וויקיטקסט, http://dictionary.reference.com/,
http://hebrewbooks.org/,
Blogger English
Blogger Hebrew
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