Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the 'covering' (kaporet) mentioned in Exodus 26:34?
A: The 'covering' (kaporet) refers to the golden lid placed on top of the Ark of the Covenant (Aron HaKodesh). According to Rashi, it was made of pure gold and had two golden cherubim (angel-like figures) on top. This covering served as the place where the Divine Presence would rest and where the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) would sprinkle blood on Yom Kippur for atonement.
Q: Why was the covering placed in the 'most holy place' (Kodesh HaKodashim)?
A: The Kodesh HaKodashim (Holy of Holies) was the innermost and most sacred part of the Mishkan (Tabernacle), where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. According to the Rambam (Hilchot Beit HaBechirah), this was the place of utmost holiness, where the Divine Presence dwelled. Only the Kohen Gadol could enter there, and only once a year on Yom Kippur.
Q: What is the significance of the Ark of the Testimony (Aron HaEdut)?
A: The Ark of the Testimony (Aron HaEdut) contained the two tablets of the Ten Commandments, symbolizing the covenant between Hashem and the Jewish people. The Midrash (Tanchuma) teaches that the Ark represented Torah and Divine wisdom. Its placement in the Kodesh HaKodashim highlights the centrality of Torah in Jewish life and worship.
Q: How does this verse relate to the Mishkan (Tabernacle) as a whole?
A: This verse is part of the detailed instructions for building the Mishkan, emphasizing the importance of proper placement of sacred objects. The Talmud (Yoma 72b) explains that every detail in the Mishkan’s construction teaches us about reverence for holiness. The covering on the Ark symbolizes protection and sanctity, showing that Torah must be treated with the highest respect.
Q: Can we learn any practical lessons from this verse today?
A: Yes! Although we no longer have the Mishkan or Ark, the verse teaches us about the importance of creating sacred spaces in our lives. Just as the Ark was kept in the holiest place, we should designate special places for Torah study and prayer. The Rambam (Hilchot Tefillah) also teaches that a person should pray in a clean and dignified space, reflecting the sanctity of the Mishkan.
The Placement of the Kapores (Covering) on the Aron HaKodesh
The verse (Shemos 25:21) commands placing the kapores (covering) upon the Aron HaEdus (Ark of the Testimony) in the Kodesh HaKodashim (Holy of Holies). Rashi explains that the kapores served as a lid for the Ark, emphasizing its physical function. However, the Ramban (Nachmanides) delves deeper, noting that the kapores symbolizes the Divine Presence resting upon the Ark, which contained the Luchos HaEdus (Tablets of Testimony).
The Significance of the Kapores
According to the Talmud (Yoma 54a), the kapores was made of pure gold and had two keruvim (cherubim) fashioned upon it. The Midrash (Shemos Rabbah 34:2) teaches that the keruvim faced one another when Bnei Yisrael fulfilled Hashem's will, representing Divine love and unity. The Rambam (Hilchos Beis HaBechirah 4:1) further elaborates that the kapores and keruvim were integral to the avodah (service) in the Mishkan, as the Kohen Gadol would sprinkle the blood of the Yom Kippur offerings before it.
The Location: Kodesh HaKodashim
The verse specifies that the Ark with its covering must reside in the Kodesh HaKodashim, the innermost sanctum of the Mishkan. The Sforno explains that this placement underscores the holiness of the Ark, which housed the Torah—the ultimate source of Divine wisdom. The Kli Yakar adds that the kapores served as a barrier between the physical world and the spiritual realm, emphasizing the transcendence of the Torah’s sanctity.