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In this week’s parsha, G-d commands Moshe regarding the building of the kiyor (washstand) for use in the Tabernacle.
Text 1
The Lord spoke to Moshe, saying: “You shall make a washstand of copper and its base of copper for washing, and you shall place it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and you shall put water therein. Aharon and his sons shall wash their hands and feet from it. When they enter the Tent of Meeting, they shall wash with water so that they will not die; or when they approach the altar to serve, to make a fire offering rise up in smoke to the Lord, they shall wash their hands and feet so that they will not die; this shall be for them a perpetual statute, for him and for his descendants, for their generations.”
Shemos, 30:17-21
Before the kohanim (priests)served in the Mishkan they were to wash their hands and feet. To facilitate this, G-d commanded Moshe to construct a copper laver.
Interestingly, while the commandments to build all the other vessels for the Mishkan (Tabernacle) are spoken of in the previous two Torah portions, G-d’s instruction to build the kiyor is not placed together with the rest of the Sanctuary’s vessels, and is instead articulated in this week’s parsha (Torah portion), Parshas Ki Sisa.
When discussing the vessels that served an important role in the Sanctuary, Rambam states the following:
Text 2
The following utensils are integral for the Sanctuary…a washstand with a pedestal where the priests would sanctify their hands and feet for the (Temple) service. It was positioned between the Entrance Hall and the altar, to the left when entering the Sanctuary.
Rambam, Hilchos Beis HaBechira 1:6
Rambam describes the kiyor as a utensil with an essential role for the service. Notwithstanding its importance, it nevertheless is not stated amongst the instructions for the rest of the vessels. Instead, it is mentioned in an entirely separate parsha—after the Torah enumerates the other vessels for the Mishkan.
For what reason was the commandment to build the kiyor separated from all the others, and only mentioned after all the rest of the vessels?
Difference in roles
The commentators explain that this marked separation expressed a focal difference between the purpose that the kiyor served in the Mishkan and the role of the rest of the vessels. Because of the difference in its purpose, it is set apart from the rest of the vessels.
The commentaries explain this distinction as follows:
Text 3
This vessel as well, is not mentioned above with the rest of the vessels, because its intent was not that the Shechina (Divine Presence)should reside in the Sanctuary, as was the intent of those vessels. Its intent was rather to prepare the kohanim for their service.
Seforno, Shemos, 30:18
All the other vessels fulfilled a direct service of G-d in the Mishkan and caused G-dliness to rest therein. The kiyor, on the other hand, served the purpose of washing the hands and feet of the kohanim before they served in the Mishkan. The kiyor therefore was a preparation for the service and not part of the service itself.
It is for this reason that the commandment to build the kiyor is not stated together with the rest of the vessels in the Mishkan, but instead is mentioned in a different parsha,after the rest of the other vessels.
Its placement
This difference is not only seen by the order of the kiyor’s instruction in the Torah, but it can also be recognized from the distinction of where it was situated in the Mishkan as well.
The Torah describes the position of the kiyor as follows[1]: “You shall place it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar.”
Rashi explains its specific location in his commentary on the verse:
Text 4
[This refers to] the altar for burnt offerings, about which it is written that it was in front of the entrance of the Mishkan of the Tent of Meeting. The washstand was drawn away slightly [from the entrance] and stood opposite the space between the altar and the Mishkan, but it did not intervene at all [between them], because it is said: “And he placed the altar for burnt offerings at the entrance of the Mishkan of the Tent of Meeting” (Exod. 40:29), implying that the altar was in front of the Tent of Meeting, but the washstand was not in front of the Tent of Meeting. How is that so? It [the washstand] was drawn away slightly to the south.
Rashi, Shemos, 30:18
While the rest of the vessels—such as the menorah, the shulchan and the altar for incense—were placed inside the Tent of Meeting, the kiyor was placed outside of it. Though the altar for burnt offerings was also technically situated outside in the courtyard, it was positioned directly in front of its entrance.
In contrast, the kiyor was not placed in front of the entrance, but rather, it was situated off to the side.
This positioning actually enabled the kohanim to access the kiyor.
The Mishna states that there are several instances when it is prohibited to enter the area between the Tent of Meeting(where the altar for the ketores, menorah and shulchan are housed)and the altar for burnt offerings:
Text 5
R. Yossi stated: “In five respects in the area between the Ulam and the altar on par with the Heichal: for those afflicted with blemishes, or with a wild growth of hair, or who have drunk wine, or whose hands or feet are unwashed may not enter there.”
Mishna, Keilim, 1:9
While the kiyor was situated “between the Tent of Meeting and the altar,” it was obviously permitted to approach it without washing one’s hands and feet. The reason for this is because it was not directly opposite the Tent of Meeting, but was instead, off to the side.
Not only was the kiyor of lesser holiness than the rest of the vessels, in that it served a preparatory service, but it was as well positioned in the Mishkan in a place of lesser holiness.
The reason for both of these distinctions is due to the fact that the kiyor served a preparatory[D1] purpose, and was therefore on a lower level than the rest of the vessels. Rather than being an actual service that took place in the Mishkan, the role of the kiyor was to prepare the kohanimto be able to perform these rituals.
Its size
This idea that the kiyor was a preparation for the rest of the service in the Mishkan is also expressed in the physical dimensions of the kiyor.
At the time of the erection of the Mishkan, after all of the vessels had been constructed, the verse describes Moshe’s placement of the kiyor into the Mishkan:
Text 5
He placed the washstand between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and there he put water for washing, and Moshe, Aharon, and his sons would wash their hands and their feet from it.
Shemos, 40:30-31
The Talmud understands the specific wording of the verse and the mention of these four individuals—Moshe, Aharon, and Aharon’s two sons—as an indication that the kiyor must contain enough water for four people to be able to wash from it.
Text 6
R. Yossi ben R. Chanina said: “You may not wash in a laver which does not contain sufficient [water] for the sanctifications of four priests, for it says[2]: “Moshe, Aharon, and his sons would wash their hands and their feet from it.”
Talmud, Zevachim 19b
The Talmud explains that there must be enough water for Moshe, Aharon and his two sons. Though Aharon and his sons were kohanim, whether or not Moshe was a kohen is a Talmudic dispute.
Text 7
The Sages maintain: Moshe was invested with priesthood only for the seven days of consecration. Some maintain: Only Moshe’s descendants were deprived of priesthood, for it is said[3], “But as for Moshe the man of G-d, his sons are named among the tribe of Levi;” and it says[4], “Moshe and Aharon among His priests, and Shmuel among them that call upon His name.” Why [add] “and it says”? — You might argue that [the first proof-text] is written for [future] generations, hence it says, however, “Moshe and Aharon among His priests.”
Talmud, Zevachim 102a
While according to the opinion that Moshe’s priesthood was everlasting it is understood why he is taken into account when determining the amount of water that is to be in the kiyor, according to the opinion that he was a priest for a mere seven days, this is not understood.
If Moshe only served as a kohen during the inauguration of the Tabernacle—indicating that from then on, the kiyor was only needed for Aharon and his sons—why then, for all eternity must the kiyor have enough water for four kohanim? Why should Moshe beenumerated as one of the kohanim if he only served as such for the seven days of the inauguration of the Mishkan?
Explanation
The days of inauguration were a preparation for the general service in the Mishkan afterwards. Being that the entire existence of the kiyor served as a preparation for its general service, its measurements therefore included that which was also needed only during the time of the inauguration of the Mishkan.
While Moshe was only considered a kohen during the days of preparation, the entire idea of the kiyor was indicative of preparation. Moshe’s need for its use during this stage was thus included in the measurements of its permanent dimensions.
This idea leads to an interesting conclusion: although the kiyor merely served as a preparation for the service in the Mishkan, and thus in many ways, retained a lower level of holiness,it simultaneously possessed an aspect that was greater than the rest of the vessels.
It was for this reason that the kiyor contained an aspect that alluded to Moshe, who was greater than his brother Aharon.
Thus, although in a general sense the kiyor was lower than the rest of the vessels, it also held a unique superior quality from all the other vessels in the Tabernacle.
Two extremes
These two extremes found in the kiyor in which, on one hand, it only held the status of a preparatory vessel and on the other, it contained the superior quality of Moshe being expressed therein, are also expressed in the specific material from which it was made.
The Torah says as follows:
Text
You shall make a washstand of copper and its base of copper for washing, and you shall place it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and you shall put water therein.
Shemos, 30:18
The Torah relates that the specific copper that was used for the construction of the kiyor was from copper mirrors that were donated by the Jewish women.
Text 8
And he made the washstand of copper and its base of copper from the mirrors of the women who had set up the legions, who congregated at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting.
Shemos, 38:8
Rashi’s commentary on that particular verse describes (based on the Medrash) how Moshe had originally opposed using these mirrors in the construction of the Mishkan,and that G-d specifically instructed him to do so.
Text 9
The Israelite women owned mirrors, which they would look into when they adorned themselves. Even these [mirrors] they did not hold back from bringing as a contribution toward the Mishkan, but Moshe despised them because they were made for temptation [i.e., to inspire lustful thoughts]. The Holy One, blessed is He, said to him, “Accept [them], for these are more precious to Me than anything because through them the women set up many legions [i.e., through the children they gave birth to] in Egypt.” When their husbands were weary from back-breaking labor, they [the women] would go and bring them food and drink and give them to eat. Then they [the women] would take the mirrors and each one would see herself with her husband in the mirror, and she would seduce him with words, saying, “I am more beautiful than you.” And in this way they aroused their husbands’ desire and would copulate with them, conceiving and giving birth there.
Rashi, ibid
Moshe despised the mirrors, as they are a tool for temptation. G-d, however, loved them, as they were used to create the Jewish people.
From one angle, the mirrors served a lowly function as a tool for arousing desire, and from another, they were so valued by G-d, that he treasured them above all else.
This dichotomy that on one hand, they were a tool for negativity and on the other, they were especially precious, is expressed in the kiyor as well. While it is the lowest of the vessels, there is also an element within it, in which it is the highest, and expressive of Moshe.
The Sanctuary
When G-d told the Israelites that they should build a sanctuary for Him, the ultimate purpose that it served was that through its physical materials, G-dliness could dwell in the mundane.
This fulfills G-d’s ultimate intent for the creation of the world, in that it should become a dwelling place for His Presence.
Text 10
It is a well-known Rabbinic statement that the purpose of the creation of this world is that the Holy One, blessed be He, desired to have an abode in the lower worlds. But surely with Him the distinction of “upper” and “lower” has no validity, for He pervades all worlds equally…clearly, the purpose of the Hishtalshelut of the worlds and their descent, degree by degree, is not for the sake of the higher worlds, because for them this is a descent from the light of His blessed Countenance. But the ultimate purpose [of creation] is this lowest world, for such was His blessed will that He shall have satisfaction when the sitra achra is subdued and the darkness is turned to light, so that the Divine light of the blessed En Sof shall shine forth in the place of the darkness and sitra achra throughout this world, all the more strongly and intensely, with the excellence of light emerging from darkness.
Tanya, Likutei Amarim, Ch. 36
G-d’s intent for the world is to create a dwelling place for Himself in the lowest of places. For this to be accomplished, G-dliness must permeate every area—even those that were originally used for negativity.
This is expressed in the use of the mirrors for the Mishkan. Though created for the purpose of temptation (albeit for a good and holy intention of increasing Jewish progeny[D2] ), G-d wanted holiness to specifically permeate the lowest levels. It is for this reason that G-d desired that they be included in the building of the Mishkan so that there too G-dliness should be expressed.
Moshe despised them
Moshe did not want G-dliness to be expressed also in negativity, he desired that there shouldn’t be negativity at all.
Moshe’s wish was to uplift the Israelites to a level as they were prior to when they had sinned with the Golden Calf, and that they should be similar to way the world stood prior to the sin of the Tree of Knowledge. In such a reality, G-dliness was not expressed even in temptation, as there was no temptation to speak of.
Text
Before [the sin] they were naked and occupied in copulation to have children yet they were not ashamed, just as [they were not ashamed] to eat or drink. [They were occupied in it] as it was a mitzvah and they did not know that there was any temptation in it. After they sinned though, and ate from the Tree of Knowledge and they knew temptation, then it is difficult to abstain from it. It was for this reason that G-d did not wish that man should eat from the Tree of Knowledge, because it is damaging, as mentioned. [G-d] wished that they would not know at all of the existence of evil and [wished that he should be] entirely holy.
Torah Ohr, 5:4b
Moshe wished to bring them back to this reality, where holiness is completely separate from temptation. He did not wish that they should use negativity for a holy purpose, he wished that temptation cease to exist.
Moshe wished this from the Jewish people, as this was similar to the way that he himself experienced G-dliness.
Text
Moshe prophesied with, “So says the Lord[5], ‘At the dividing point of the night… ’”, and the prophets prophesied with [the phrase] “So says the Lord.” But Moshe surpassed them, for he prophesied with the expression, “This is the thing.”
Rashi, Bamidbar, 30:2
The difference between “So says the Lord” and “This is the thing,” is that the other prophets did not see G-dliness clearly and they were therefore only able to say “so”. Moshe however, experienced G-dliness directly and therefore said “this is the thing” that G-d said.
Moshe experienced a revelation of G-dliness in a direct way, and he desired that the Israelites experience G-dliness in the same manner.
It is for this reason that Moshe despised the mirrors that the women bequeathed to the Mishkan. These mirrors served the purpose of temptation. No matter how refined they may become, they remain a tool of the animal soul. They remain a means to a positive end, but they are not the end itself.
Although Moshe knew that the purpose of the Mishkan was that G-dliness should reside in the lowest of places, on the level in which Moshe stood, the other physical objects in the Mishkan were sufficiently low. He desired that G-dliness should reside in the lower abode in the same manner as it would have were man never to have sinned.
In his perspective, the copper donated for the mirrors would bring this holiness extremely low. Using these mirrors in the Mishkan expresses that G-dliness is not directly expressed but is instead expressed through an intermediary. Moshe therefore despised there use in the Mishkan.
G-d’s response
G-d, however, desired that G-dliness should permeate everything even those things that are the tools of temptation.
On the contrary, from G-d’s perspective there was an advantage to these things more than the rest of the articles in the Mishkan.
These mirrors were used to “set up many legions.” They were used to establish the army of G-d. It is because of their use in being a tool to establish the Army of G-d that they were especially precious to the Almighty.
An army specifically is remarkable in the fact that it has the strength to listen even when there is adversary. They accept the yoke of their commander and listen at all situations. It is specifically through accepting the yoke of Heaventhat gives the person the ability to serve G-d even when faced with the temptations of the evil inclination.
The kiyor
In a similar way that on one hand the mirrors were the lowest of the donations that were given to the temple yet on the other hand have a significant advantage over the rest of the donations in that they are expressive of the yoke of heaven, so too is with the kiyor.
On one hand it only serves as a preparation to serving G-d in the Mishkan and for that reason it lower than the other articles. On the other it has a significant advantage and is expressive of Moshe himself.
The function that the kiyor served in the Mishkan was that of washing off one’s-self off from negativity. This concept of washing one’s self from negativity is more precious than the actual service of G-d and is therefore what is especially great about the kiyor.
It is for this reason why the kiyor alludes to Moshe. Moshe exemplified humility and accepting the yoke of heaven to do G-d’s will no matter one’s temptation is expressive of this tremendous humility. It is Moshe’s humility that is alluded to in the kiyor and it is humility that makes the kiyor beloved to G-d.
(Based on Likutei Sichos 6, Ki Sisa 1, reworked by Rabbi Dovid Markel.)
[1] Shemos, 30:18
[2] Shemos, 40:31
[3] Divrei HaYamim 1, 23:24
[4] Tehillim, 99:6
[5] Shemos. 11:4
