In parshas Truma Moshe is on
Mount Sinai where he is instructed by
G-d how to build the Temple . It is part of a long narrative that
starts with the preparations to leave Egypt in anticipation of the last
of the ten plagues (Shmos 11), stretches though the entire book of VaYikra, and
ends with the sanctification of the Levi'im (BaMidbar 8). The next chapter in
the Chumash gives a date, the second month after the exodus from Egypt .
The first step in the
construction of the Temple
is to make a request from the nation for gold and silver. Other valuable
articles are requested like expensive dyes and fragrant spices. Quality
merchandise is also needed such as leather, acacia wood, and olive oil. The word
used in connect with the request is "truma (תרומה)"
often translated as charity. The word though has other connotations and uses.
The portion of agricultural products that one is required to give to the
cohanim bears the same name. The Hebrew root רם
means high, lofty, to elevate or exalt. The idea is that through the donation
of these articles for the construction of the Temple their importance is enhanced whether
they are precious or mundane.
The first object described is a
gold plated wooden chest to house the two stone tablets on which the Ten
Commandments are engraved. The following item is the ornate lid to the chest
which is made out of solid gold. On top of it are two sculptured cherubim also
solid gold. The wings of the cherubim are spread out above and shelter what is
below. Above the wings is the designated place for Hashem to speak to others.
This ark is the central object in the Temple .
It is placed individually in the inner sanctuary and separated from by a
screen, embroidered with cherubim, from the remaining articles. The other
articles in the sanctuary are a candelabra lamp, a table with bread on it, and
an incense burner. Curiously the incense altar is last article mentioned and, is
only described after the instructions for the investiture of the high priest
are given.
The lamp symbolizes wisdom and
education. The table and bread symbolize sustenance and material well being.
The Ark of the Covenant at its highest level is a personal relationship with
the All Mighty. The two tablets of the Ten Commandments are our highest
principles. The cherubim represent the metaphysical world that is the bridge
between man and G-d. The incense symbolize reputation, so to speak something
has a good smell.
It is written in the Gemara that
the only thing that the Holy One, blessed be He has in this world is four amos
(say half-meters) of halacha (Brochos 8a). The Sforno extends this idea to a
search for G-d's will and explains that the shechina permeates those that
selflessly apply their intellectual capacities to know the law, specifically
singling out metaphysics. The Clee Yakar meditates on the cherubim noting that
they are angels that look like babies. Based on this he says that a person
should seek to learn Torah from a rabbi that resembles an angel of G-d and is
as clean from sin as a year old child and who has not sinned against G-d or
man. Both commentaries also focus on character and environment saying that that
one must pursue truth without regard for physical gain and in an atmosphere of
peace.
In enumerating the materials to
be used in the Mishkan the Chumash starts with the most precious then tends to
move on to goods of lesser value. The idea is that the spreading of knowledge
of G-d starts with the wisest and most righteous than spreads out in steps to
those very distant. For this reason the commentaries explain that Hashem would
first teach a law to Moshe who would then teach it to Aharon and his sons.
After that it would be taught to the all of the children of Israel . This is
an aspect of the incense altar. It is the last of the objects to be mentioned,
because from it the wind carries the repute of Hashem to places very far away.
This is also an aspect of the
Isaiah's vision of the end of days (Isaiah 11:5-9), "Righteousness shall
gird his waist, and faithfulness shall gird his loins. The wolf shall
dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf
and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead
them. The cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down
together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The sucking child
shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on
the viper's den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain;
for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Hashem, as the waters cover
the sea".
>>>>>>> ##### ^^^^^^^^ ##### <<<<<<<
A
discussion of how G-d speaks to man from above the sculptured angels in the Temple
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