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Exodus 26:22 - Western wall's hidden significance?

Exodus 26:22 - שמות 26:22

Hebrew Text

וּלְיַרְכְּתֵי הַמִּשְׁכָּן יָמָּה תַּעֲשֶׂה שִׁשָּׁה קְרָשִׁים׃

English Translation

And for the side of the tabernacle westward thou shalt make six boards.

Transliteration

Uleyarkhatei hamishkan yama ta'aseh shishah krashim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וּֽלְיַרְכְּתֵ֥י הַמִּשְׁכָּ֖ן יָ֑מָּה תַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה שִׁשָּׁ֥ה קְרָשִֽׁים׃
וּֽלְיַרְכְּתֵ֥י הַמִּשְׁכָּ֖ן יָ֑מָּה תַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה שִׁשָּׁ֥ה קְרָשִֽׁים׃

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Parasha Commentary

Explanation of the Verse

The verse (Exodus 26:22) describes the construction of the western side of the Mishkan (Tabernacle), specifying that six kerashim (boards) were to be made for this side. This detail is part of the broader instructions for assembling the Mishkan, emphasizing the precision required in fulfilling the divine command.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi (Exodus 26:22) explains that the western side of the Mishkan was unique because it required only six boards, unlike the northern and southern sides, which each had twenty boards. He notes that the western side was shorter because the width of the Mishkan (from north to south) was thirty cubits, while its length (from east to west) was ten cubits. The six boards, each being one and a half cubits wide, totaled nine cubits, leaving a one-cubit gap. Rashi clarifies that this gap was filled by the two corner boards mentioned in the next verse (Exodus 26:23), which were each half a cubit wide, completing the ten-cubit measurement.

Structural Significance

The Talmud (Shabbat 98b) discusses the arrangement of the boards, emphasizing that the Mishkan's construction was a precise act of divine service. The boards were made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, symbolizing both durability and sanctity. The western side's reduced number of boards may also hint at the idea of completion (since west is associated with the setting sun, representing the culmination of a process).

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash Tanchuma (Terumah 11) connects the six boards to the six days of Creation, suggesting that the Mishkan was a microcosm of the universe, with its structure reflecting divine order.
  • The Zohar (Terumah 2:126a) interprets the western side as representing the divine attribute of Malchut (Kingship), which receives and unifies the influences from the other directions, much like the western side completes the Mishkan's structure.

Halachic Perspective

Rambam (Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Beit HaBechirah 1:4) derives principles from the Mishkan's construction for the future building of the Beit HaMikdash (Temple). The precise measurements and materials underscore the importance of adhering to divine specifications in sacred construction, ensuring that the structure reflects holiness and divine will.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Exodus 26:22 mean when it mentions 'six boards' for the western side of the Mishkan?
A: This verse describes the construction of the western wall of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Unlike the other sides which had 20 boards each (Exodus 26:18-20), the western side only required six boards. Rashi explains that this was because the western side was shorter in width, measuring only 10 cubits (about 15 feet), while the north and south sides were 30 cubits long. The six boards (each 1.5 cubits wide) would perfectly cover this 10-cubit width when placed together.
Q: Why is the western side of the Mishkan different from the other sides?
A: The western side was unique because it faced the Holy of Holies, the most sacred space in the Mishkan where the Ark of the Covenant rested. The Talmud (Sukkah 5a) teaches that the Shechinah (Divine Presence) was most manifest in the west. The smaller number of boards may symbolize that this side required special reverence as it faced the dwelling place of Hashem's presence.
Q: What practical lesson can we learn from the different numbers of boards on each side of the Mishkan?
A: The Rambam teaches that every detail of the Mishkan's construction carries lessons for our service of Hashem. The different numbers of boards show that in spiritual matters, we must adapt our approach based on circumstances - just as the builders adjusted the number of boards for each side. The western side's six boards remind us that even when something appears 'less' in quantity (like fewer mitzvot in certain areas), it can still be complete and holy when done properly.
Q: How do we know the exact measurements of the Mishkan's western side?
A: Traditional Jewish sources calculate the measurements based on the Torah's descriptions. Each board was 1.5 cubits wide (Exodus 26:16), so six boards would make 9 cubits. The Midrash (Tanchuma Teruma 11) explains there was an additional cubit's space that was covered differently, making the total western width 10 cubits. This precise calculation shows how every detail of the Mishkan had exact Divine specifications.