Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the significance of anointing the Mishkan (Tabernacle) with oil?
A: The anointing oil (shemen hamishchah) was used to sanctify the Mishkan and its vessels, setting them apart for holy service to Hashem. According to Rashi, this act of anointing symbolized the dedication and purification of these items for divine worship. The Rambam (Hilchos Klei HaMikdash 1:3) explains that this anointing was a one-time event to establish the holiness of the Mishkan.
Q: Why was the Mishkan and its vessels anointed before use?
A: The anointing process was necessary to consecrate the Mishkan and its utensils, making them fit for sacred service. The Midrash (Shemos Rabbah 50:4) teaches that just as a king is anointed before assuming his role, the Mishkan—Hashem's dwelling place among Israel—required anointing to mark its sacred purpose. This act demonstrated that these items were no longer ordinary but designated for holiness.
Q: What can we learn from the commandment to anoint the Mishkan?
A: This teaches us the importance of preparing and sanctifying objects (and ourselves) for holy purposes. The Talmud (Yoma 12a) discusses how sanctity elevates the mundane. Just as the Mishkan's vessels became holy through anointing, we learn that intentional dedication transforms ordinary actions into divine service when done with the right mindset.
Q: How does the concept of anointing apply to Jewish life today?
A: While we no longer have the Mishkan or Temple, the principle remains relevant. The Rambam (Hilchos Beis HaBechirah 1:12) notes that sanctity endures even after structures are destroyed. Today, we apply this idea by treating synagogues and holy objects with reverence, remembering that physical spaces can be elevated through dedication to Hashem's service.
Q: What was the special oil used for anointing the Mishkan?
A: The anointing oil (shemen hamishchah) was a unique blend described in Exodus 30:22-25, containing olive oil and four specific spices. Rashi explains that this oil was used exclusively for sanctifying the Mishkan, its vessels, and the Kohanim (priests). The Talmud (Kerisos 5a) discusses its precise preparation, emphasizing that it was never to be replicated for personal use (Exodus 30:32-33).
The Significance of Anointing the Mishkan
The verse (Shemot 30:26) commands the anointing of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and its vessels with shemen hamishchah (the anointing oil), thereby sanctifying them. According to Rashi, this act of anointing serves to consecrate the Mishkan and its utensils, elevating them to a state of holiness (kedushah) designated for divine service. The Rambam (Hilchot Klei HaMikdash 1:5) elaborates that this anointing was a one-time act performed during the inauguration of the Mishkan, setting it apart for its sacred purpose.
The Role of the Anointing Oil
The shemen hamishchah was a unique blend of spices and olive oil (Shemot 30:22-25), prepared under divine instruction. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 35:1) teaches that this oil symbolized wisdom and divine favor, as oil rises above other liquids. The act of anointing thus imbued the Mishkan with a transcendent sanctity, marking it as the dwelling place of the Shechinah (Divine Presence).
Kedushah of the Mishkan and Its Vessels
The verse emphasizes that both the Mishkan and its vessels must be anointed, as the Ramban explains, because holiness extends to all components used in divine service. The Talmud (Zevachim 88b) notes that the anointing process was not merely symbolic but effected an actual change in status, rendering the objects kodesh kodashim (most holy). This sanctity prohibited their use for mundane purposes.
The Eternal Nature of This Kedushah
The concluding phrase "וְהָיָה קֹדֶשׁ" ("and it shall be holy") implies permanence. The Chizkuni comments that this holiness was not temporary but enduring, applying even when the Mishkan was disassembled during travel. The sanctity remained intrinsic, as later reflected in the Beit HaMikdash (Temple), which inherited this kedushah from the Mishkan (Rambam, Hilchot Beit HaBechirah 6:14).