By Avner Friedmann
In this parsha HaShem instructs Moshe to build the Tabernacle (Mishkan) and its vessels. The central feature of the Mishkan, and later of the Temple, was the Holy Ark in the Holy of Holies. The ark housed the tablets that Moshe brought down from Mount Sinai and the Torah scroll. Over its lid were the two Cherubim, one on each side.
Moshe was instructed[1]: “You shall make two Cherubim of gold…the Cherubim shall be with wings spread upward, sheltering the lid with their wings, with their faces towards each other…It is there that I shall set My meetings with you and I shall speak with you from atop of the lid, from between the two Cherubim”.
From here we learn that the Divine presence (The Shechinah) and the words of HaShem were revealed between the two Cherubim in the Holy of Holies. Through this the Holy of Holies was a place sanctified with the highest level of holiness[2].
The Holy Zohar[3] tells us that three times a day, during the time of the daily prayers, the Cherubim would miraculously lift their wings and spread them upwards as they covered the lid of the Ark, creating a seat upon which the Shechinah would rest. When the Jewish people concluded their prayers, the Cherubim would return to their original position.
In the Holy of Holies the Shechinah was always covered by a cloud, as written[4]: “For I will cause a cloud to appear upon the lid of the Ark.” Therefore, when the Kohen Gadol (The High Priest) would annually enter the Holy of Holies to perform the Yom Kippur service, he could not actually see the Shechinah. This being the case, how could he recognize that it was present?
The Zohar answers that when the cloud rested upon the wings of the Cherubim, they knocked against each other. When the Kohen Gadol heard this, he became aware of the presence of the Shechinah. While flapping their wings, the Cherubim would sing verses of praise to HaShem.
The opening verse above tells us that the Cherubim faced each other. However, in Chronicles II[5] we are told that they “faced the Temple”. The Talmud tells us[6] that both these statements are true. How they were positioned depended on whether the children of Israel had fulfilled the will of HaShem. When the Jewish people did that which was good and proper in the eyes of HaShem, the Cherubim faced one another. However, if they strayed from the ways of HaShem, G-d forbid, the Cherubim would turn away from each other and face the Holy Temple instead.
The faces of the Cherubim were like those of an innocent boy and girl[7] and they had wings like birds. [8]The male child corresponded to HaShem – “The Giver”, whereas the female child corresponded to Israel – “The Receiver”. When they faced each other this symbolized the love and affection between HaShem and His people Israel.
These occurrences in the Holy of Holies were supernatural. For a physical object to be actually transformed and take on lifelike behavior is supernatural. This was all for the sake of the Jewish people, to let them know when HaShem was happy with them and when He was not[9]. The Talmud tells us[10] that when the Jewish people would visit the Holy Temple during the three Festivals of Sukkot, Passover and Shavuot, the Kohanim would draw the curtain, thus showing that the Cherubim were joined in full embrace.[11]
According to Rabbeinu Bachya[12] the Cherubim corresponded to the holy angels that accompany G-d’s Chariot, as depicted in the famous prophecy of Ezekiel. The Rambam (Maimonides)[13] adds that there were specifically two Cherubim, to teach not to think that their form is like the form of HaShem, G-d forbid, Who is singular. Moreover, the fact that their wings spread upward, indicated that they were not independent, but received all their influence from above. Thus, they did not represent two separate authorities or sources in the world, G-d forbid.
Furthermore, the Holy Ark represented the Torah. Therefore it was specifically the Ark that connected the Cherubim to each other. This teaches us that, ultimately, only Torah has the ability to unite the Jewish people to HaShem. The Cherubim served as a constant reminder of HaShem’s love for the Jewish people and that He desires to shower His blessings upon us. However, for this to happen we must fulfill His will and be occupied in His Torah[14].
May it be that through being immersed in the study of HaShem’s Torah and fulfilling His mitzvot, we will hasten the coming of Moshiach and the building of the third and permanent Holy Temple, which will contain the Holy Ark and the Cherubim. May this come about with the true and complete redemption, speedily in our days. Amen.
[1] 25:18-22.
[2] Netivot Shalom Teruma.
[3] Zohar Acharei 49a.
[4] Vayikra 16:2.
[5] Beit, 3:13.
[6] Baba Batra 98b-99a.
[7] Rashi 25:18.
[8] Netivot Shalom.
[9] Ibid.
[10] Yoma 54a.
[11] Rashi.
[12] Brings the Rambam.
[13] Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon.
[14] Ha’amek Davar Shemot 25 and 20.
