Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the significance of the colors used in the screen for the Mishkan (Tabernacle)?
A: According to Rashi and other commentators, the blue (techelet), purple (argaman), and scarlet (tola'at shani) colors represent royalty, holiness, and the divine presence. These colors were used to signify the importance and sanctity of the Mishkan as a dwelling place for Hashem's presence among the Jewish people.
Q: Why was the entrance of the Mishkan covered with an embroidered screen?
A: The embroidered screen served as a separation between the holy Mishkan and the outside world, emphasizing the transition from the mundane to the sacred. The Talmud (Yoma 54a) teaches that the beauty and craftsmanship of the screen were meant to inspire awe and reverence for the Mishkan.
Q: What can we learn from the materials used in the screen of the Mishkan?
A: The fine twined linen (shesh moshzar) and the skilled embroidery (ma'aseh rokem) teach us the importance of hiddur mitzvah (beautifying commandments). The Rambam explains that when performing mitzvot, we should strive to use the finest materials and craftsmanship, showing honor and respect for divine service.
Q: How does the concept of the Mishkan's screen apply to our homes today?
A: Just as the screen marked the entrance to the holy Mishkan, our homes should also have elements that remind us of holiness. Many have the custom of placing a mezuzah on their doorposts, which, like the screen, serves as a reminder of Hashem's presence and the sanctity of the Jewish home.
Q: What is the deeper meaning behind the embroidery work on the screen?
A: The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 35:1) explains that the embroidery (ma'aseh rokem) symbolizes the intricate and beautiful relationship between Hashem and the Jewish people. Just as embroidery combines different threads to create a unified design, the Jewish people are woven together through mitzvot and divine service.
The Screen for the Entrance of the Mishkan
The verse describes the creation of the masach (screen) for the entrance of the Ohel Moed (Tent of Meeting). This screen was made of four materials: techelet (blue), argaman (purple), tola'at shani (scarlet), and shesh mashzar (fine twined linen), all woven together by an embroiderer (ma'aseh rokem).
Symbolism of the Materials
According to Rashi (Exodus 26:36), these materials were the same as those used in the parochet (the inner curtain separating the Holy of Holies), but the screen was less elaborate. The Midrash Tanchuma (Terumah 11) explains that the colors represent different aspects of divine service and human devotion:
The Function of the Screen
The Rambam (Hilchot Beit HaBechira 1:15) explains that the screen served as a separation between the outer courtyard and the sacred interior of the Mishkan. Unlike the parochet, which concealed the Holy of Holies, this screen marked the threshold where the people could approach but not enter without proper sanctity.
Embroidery and Craftsmanship
The phrase "ma'aseh rokem" (the work of an embroiderer) indicates that the screen was not merely woven but intricately designed. The Talmud (Yoma 72a) teaches that the embroidery was done with skill to reflect the honor due to the Mishkan. Rabbeinu Bachya (Exodus 26:36) adds that this craftsmanship symbolized the beauty and precision required in divine service.
Spiritual Lessons
The Kli Yakar (Exodus 26:36) suggests that the screen teaches the importance of hachana (preparation) before entering sacred spaces—both physically and spiritually. Just as one could not enter the Mishkan without passing through this screen, so too must a person prepare their heart before approaching divine service.