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Exodus 26:16 - Divine blueprint's precise measurements.

Exodus 26:16 - שמות 26:16

Hebrew Text

עֶשֶׂר אַמּוֹת אֹרֶךְ הַקָּרֶשׁ וְאַמָּה וַחֲצִי הָאַמָּה רֹחַב הַקֶּרֶשׁ הָאֶחָד׃

English Translation

Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half shall be the breadth of one board.

Transliteration

Eser amot orekh hakaresh ve'ama vachatzi ha'amah rochav hakeresh ha'echad.

Hebrew Leining Text

עֶ֥שֶׂר אַמּ֖וֹת אֹ֣רֶךְ הַקָּ֑רֶשׁ וְאַמָּה֙ וַחֲצִ֣י הָֽאַמָּ֔ה רֹ֖חַב הַקֶּ֥רֶשׁ הָאֶחָֽד׃
עֶ֥שֶׂר אַמּ֖וֹת אֹ֣רֶךְ הַקָּ֑רֶשׁ וְאַמָּה֙ וַחֲצִ֣י הָֽאַמָּ֔ה רֹ֖חַב הַקֶּ֥רֶשׁ הָאֶחָֽד׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Dimensions of the Mishkan's Boards

The verse (Exodus 26:16) describes the measurements of the wooden boards (kerashim) used in the construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Each board was ten cubits in length and one and a half cubits in width. These dimensions carry both practical and symbolic significance in Jewish tradition.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Exodus 26:16) clarifies that the boards stood upright, forming the walls of the Mishkan. Their height (length) of ten cubits corresponds to the height of the Mishkan's structure, while their width ensured stability. The boards were made of shittim wood (acacia), a durable material chosen for its ability to withstand the desert conditions.

Symbolic Interpretations

  • Ten Cubits: The number ten often represents completeness in Jewish thought (e.g., the Ten Commandments, the Ten Sefirot). Here, it may allude to the Mishkan as a microcosm of divine order.
  • One and a Half Cubits: The Ramban (Nachmanides) suggests this measurement reflects harmony—combining the unity of "one" with the half, symbolizing humility before Hashem.

Structural Insights from the Talmud

The Talmud (Shabbat 98b) discusses how these boards were arranged and joined with silver sockets (adanim). The precise measurements ensured the Mishkan's stability, teaching the importance of exactitude in divine service. The Midrash (Tanchuma, Terumah 9) further notes that the boards were overlaid with gold, representing both physical beauty and spiritual refinement.

Practical Lessons

This verse emphasizes that every detail of the Mishkan—down to the dimensions of its boards—was divinely ordained. It teaches that holiness is achieved through meticulous adherence to Torah guidelines, whether in building a sanctuary or living a sanctified life.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Shabbat 98b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the dimensions of the Tabernacle's boards, comparing them to the dimensions mentioned in the Torah.
📖 Eruvin 2a
The dimensions of the boards are mentioned in a broader discussion about spatial measurements and their halachic implications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Exodus 26:16 mean?
A: Exodus 26:16 describes the dimensions of the wooden boards (קָּרֶשׁ - 'keresh') used to build the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Each board was 10 cubits (approximately 15 feet) in length and 1.5 cubits (about 2.25 feet) in width. These precise measurements were given by Hashem to Moshe for constructing the sacred dwelling place in the desert.
Q: Why are the measurements of the Mishkan boards important?
A: The precise measurements teach us that serving Hashem requires attention to detail and following divine instructions exactly. The Rambam (Hilchot Beit HaBechirah 1:1) explains that the Mishkan's construction reflects spiritual concepts, and every measurement carries significance in Jewish tradition.
Q: What wood were the Mishkan boards made from?
A: The Talmud (Succah 45b) and Rashi (on Exodus 26:15) explain that the boards were made from acacia wood (שִׁטִּים - 'shittim'), a durable desert wood that symbolizes uprightness and resilience in Jewish thought. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 35:2) notes that Yaakov Avinu prophetically planted these trees in Egypt for this future purpose.
Q: How does this verse apply to us today?
A: While we no longer build the Mishkan, the verse teaches us that: 1) Our homes should be modeled after the Mishkan's sanctity (based on the principle 'ועשו לי מקדש ושכנתי בתוכם' - 'Make Me a sanctuary and I will dwell among them'), 2) Jewish life requires structure and boundaries (represented by the boards' measurements), and 3) We must approach divine service with precision and care.
Q: Why were the boards specifically 10 cubits tall?
A: The number 10 represents completeness in Jewish tradition (as in the 10 Commandments, 10 utterances of creation). The Zohar explains that the 10-cubit height corresponded to the 10 sefirot (divine emanations). Additionally, the Talmud (Eruvin 2a) discusses how this measurement created sacred space parameters that influence halachic concepts of private vs. public domains.