YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Terumah
The aron is also the only one of the vessels that is mentioned in the Torah in a context other than that of the Mishkan. The second time it is mentioned is: "And when the aron travelled, Moshe said: ‘Arise, Hashem – Your enemies shall disperse, and Your enemies shall flee from before You’" (Bamidbar 10:35). The third time an aron is mentioned is as a wood container which Moshe took to store the second set of luchot given to him on Sinai (Devarim 10:1-3). Chazal dispute whether the three different Torah passages are talking about one or two different vessels. There is even an opinion among Rishonim that there were actually three aronot (we will discuss this in the future).
The Yerushalmi in Shekalim (6:1) says there were two aronot. One, which was kept in the Mishkan, contained the second set of Tablets and a sefer Torah. There was a different one, which contained the fragments of the broken first set of luchot. According to this approach, the first one is described in our parasha. It was made of wood and encased, on the inside and outside, in gold. We need to explain that first, the second Tablets were placed in an aron of wood and then transferred to the aron that stayed in the Mishkan. It was forbidden to remove this aron from the Holy of Holies of the Mishkan, except when the Mishkan was dismantled to be moved. The second one, which was made only from wood, is the one that is mentioned in Bamidbar and in Devarim.
Chazal attributed miraculous qualities to the aron. One of them is that, even though its size in mentioned in the Torah, it did not take up any space from a physical perspective (Megilla 10b). Thus, while the Holy of Holies was only 20 amot wide, there were 10 amot from one side of the aron and 10 amot from the other side.
Another miracle has to do with its weight. Much of it, including the kaporet and keruvim, were made out of gold, which has a very high specific gravity. It was, therefore, too heavy to carry naturally on people’s shoulders, as the Torah requires. That is why Chazal taught us that the aron "carried those who carried it" (Sota 35a).
Next week we will continue to learn about what was unique about the aron, especially from a spiritual perspective. Let us pray that we will soon merit to witness a revelation of the Divine Presence, as it was in the time that the Mishkan was standing.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
