The Hebrew Institute of Riverdale
WelcomeHome Page Weekly Newsletter Weekly Classes weekly D'Var Torah Current Course Guild Outreach - Encounter J.Y.E.P Hebrew School Youth Department Social Action Programs Seniors & Special Friends Women's Tefillah Israel - Activism Riverdale Jewish Encounter Past Events Gallery About Us Contact Us


































            
Orthodox Union
Hebrew Institute of Riverdale
is a proud member of the
Orthodox Union.
WEEKLY DIVREI TORAH   
Shabbat Forshpeis      

A Taste of Torah in Honor of Shabbat


PARSHAT TERUMAH
THE MEANING OF THE CROWNS ATOP
THE ARK, TABLE AND ALTAR
4 ADAR 5769 / FEBRUARY 27-28, 2009
By Rabbi Avi Weiss

The Torah informs us that the Ark (Aron-Exodus 25:11), the Table (Shulhan –Exodus 25:24) and the Altar of Incense (Mizbeiakh Miktar Ketoret – Exodus 30:3) were all decorated with rims.  Why is this so?    

  It can be suggested that each of these appurtenances corresponds to different roles of important personalities. (Yoma 72b)  The Ark relates to the Torah scholar, as the Torah was actually contained in the Ark itself.  The Table symbolizes the prosperity of our people best represented by the Ruler.  And, the Altar reminds us of the Priest as he offered incense upon it.   

Each of these individuals play important roles and each has a distinct challenge.  The Torah scholar must be careful not to allow his knowledge to lead him to arrogance, to feeling superior over other less learned Jews. The King, the most influential of individuals, must be careful never to use his power to take advantage of his subjects.  And the Priest may never permit his important religious position to be used as a platform to abuse others.  

It is no wonder that the Hebrew word for rim is zaire.  On the one hand, zaire comes from the word zar which means “alien”.  In other words, the Torah scholar, King or Priest could pervert their important roles, thus alienating themselves from God’s way.  

But, as Rabbi Shmuel Bornstein of Sochaczev in his Shem Mishmuel writes, zaire intersects with the word Nazir.  The Nazarite is one who achieves a high level of spirituality by dedicating life entirely to the service of God.  

Thus, the goal of the Torah scholar, the King and Priest is to direct all energy to holiness.  To see to is that the rim at the top of these objects is manifest in the spirit of Nazir.  In this sense, the rim around can be viewed as a crown, a symbol of royalty nobly turning one to God.  

Note, that in Ethics, the rabbis speak of three crowns, the crown of Torah, the crown of the priesthood and the crown of kingship.  Not coincidentally, they correspond to the Ark, the Table and the Altar in the Tabernacle. It is, therefore, no coincidence that the rabbis conclude that the most important crown is the crown of a good name (shem tov); in their words, “but the crown of a good name is greater than them all.”  (Avot 4:13).  

The challenge is to infuse the three objects in the Tabernacle, representative of these three major roles in Judaism with the critical dimension of a good name.  In Shem Mishmuel’s words:  “Each of these three great gifts to the community of Israel—Torah, Kingship and the Priesthood—needs special attention to insure that they are used only for holy, rather than self-seeking purposes.  The crown on the Ark, Table, and Altar represent this constant need.”  

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Avi Weiss





  
© Hebrew Institute of Riverdale. All rights reserved 2001-9/5769
Comments to
webmaster