Parshas Terumah begins the story of the
construction of the Mishkan. In his introduction to Sefer Shemos, the Ramban
explains that the Galus of Mitzrayim did not fully end until Hashem’s Shechinah
was dwelling amongst Bnei Yisrael. In this world, the Shechinah can only fully
dwell in the Beis Hamikdash. Until the Beis Hamikdash was built, the Mishkan
served the same purpose. That is what makes this parshah so important.
Three of the most well-known and
important utensils used in the Mishkan were the Aron (Ark), the Shulchan
(Table), and the Mizbach HaZahav (The Golden Alter). A common feature amongst
these three items was that each one had a golden crown built around its’ outer
edge. Chazal explain that this was in reference to the three crowns we have in
Judaism. The crown of the Aron represented the Crown of Torah study, the Shulchan’s
crown represented the Crown of Royalty, and the crown of the Alter represented
the Crown of the Kehunah (Priesthood).
The
Torah gives very precise measurements for each one of these items in amos
(cubits). The dimensions of height, width and length, are written very clearly
in the pesukim. The Kli Yakar makes a connection between the measurements of
these items and the crown they represent.
For each of the three dimensions listed
by the Aron, each one includes a half amah in its measurement. For example, the
length of the Aron was two and a half cubits. We mentioned earlier that the Aron
represents the Crown of Torah study. The Kli Yakar explains that these partial
amos are coming to show you that no matter how much you learn, your wisdom will
never be complete. As we learn in Pirkei Avos, “Who is wise? He who learns from
all men.” (Avos 4:1). There is always more to learn. The dimensions of the Aron
were given in halves to remind us of this idea.
The Shulchan represented the Crown of
Royalty. In reality, this crown applies to every single Jew because, just like
a king lacks nothing, so too every single Jew should recognize that Hashem gives
him everything he needs. Therefore, he too lacks nothing! For that
reason, the Shulchan’s length and width were in full measurements. However, the
Shulchan’s height includes a half amah. This, explains the Kli Yakar, is so a
person should realize that while he may have the opportunity to satisfy himself
fully, a person should be careful not to completely give in to his physical
desires. By building the Shulchan with a “broken” amah, we are reminded to
break the hold our desires have over us.
Finally, we have the Mizbach HaZahav,
which represented the crown of Kehunah and contained only complete amah
measurements. Its’ connection to the Kehunah is because only a Kohen was able
to bring the incense offering on it, but the reason for its’ complete
measurements is something deeper. Not only this mizbe’ach, but the Mizbach
HaNechoshes (The Copper Alter) as well was comprised only of complete amah
measurements. The purpose of both the mizbe’achs was to atone for man’s sins
and bring him back to a level of “completeness”. The Mizbach HaNechoshes atones
for the physical body of a person through animal sacrifices, while the Mizbach HaZahav
atones for his spiritual self through the incense offering. In order to show us
this great chesed He does for us, Hashem told Moshe to build the Mizbe’ach with
only complete amos, just as we are made complete again by the korbanos.
Shabbat Shalom!
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