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£The CherubimThe CherubimThe Cherubim shekel to purchase communal offerings for the ongoing service in the
Tabernacle and later in the Temple.
££
The half shekel contribution symbolizes the fact that every human
being is simultaneously both a whole – a complete world unto him
Two cherubim (angelic figures) sat upon the cover of the ark facing
each other with their wings outstretched. As with all the Tabernacle’s or her self – and a half, in the context of his or her relationship with
components, these figures give rise to layer upon layer of meaning a soul mate. Likewise, in relating to the people of Israel, a Jew is
and symbolism In order to determine their purpose it is useful to both a whole and a half. Each individual Jew has autonomy and is
investigate their first mention in the Torah. After Adam and Eve unique but in relation to the entire people is simultaneously only a
were banished from the Garden of the Eden, the cherubim were part, a “half,” of a much bigger whole. This same idea applies to an
appointed to guard the entrance. Imposing figures, armed with a individual’s relationship with God, who is the ultimate “whole.” The
rotating sword, they “guard the way to the Tree of Life” (Genesis half shekel contribution underwriting the Tabernacle’s construction
3:24). Although they are obviously tasked with preventing humanity turns the idea of a whole and a half into the very foundation on
from re-entering the Garden, many commentators teach that they which the Tabernacle is based.
also serve to remind humanity of where it should eventually return In the Tabernacle’s actual construction, the numerals one and a
to. The rotating sword accomplished both of these tasks as one side half, as well as the ratio of a whole to a half, occur numerous times.
of the sword represents God’s loving-kindness, while the other side The following are a few brief examples: the acacia wood boards were
represents His judgment. (See “Return to the Garden of Eden in the each one and a half cubits wide. Each of the individual boards had
portion of Vayeilech.) two silver sockets; thus, the relationship of sockets to boards was
In a sense, the cherubim in the Tabernacle provide a similar that of a whole to a half. The golden altar, on which the incense was
service, for they guard the tablets of the Ten Commandments housed burned, was a cubit in length and a cubit in width and two cubits
in the ark. Furthermore, because the Ten Commandments embody in height; thus, its height relative to its width and length was 2:1.
the entire Torah, and the Torah, itself, is compared to the Tree of The courtyard surrounding the Tabernacle was one hundred cubits
Life in Proverbs (3:18) – “It [the Torah] is a tree of life for those who long by fifty cubits wide, again a ration of 1:1/2. In the previous
grasp it” – the parallel is even deeper. The cherubim not only guard section, we discussed the two sets of fifty loops in the curtains that
the Ten Commandments (the Tree of Life), they also hover over the were connected by fifty golden hooks, a ratio of 2:1, one hundred
ark reminding us of the utopian state humanity once existed in and loops and fifty hooks.
hinting that studying and observing the Torah will provide us with The golden table, which held twelve loaves of bread, embodied a
a way of regaining that glorious state. 2:1 ratio in terms of its length to width (two cubits in length and
According to tradition, the cherubim physically reflected the status one cubit wide). Furthermore, its height was a cubit and a half.
of the relationship between God and Israel: when Israel conducted The twelve loaves were placed six on one side and six on the other;
itself properly and fulfilled God’s will, the cherubim would be found therefore, each side had a half of the whole number of loaves.
in a loving embrace, but when Israel turned its back on God, the The holy ark, which housed the two tablets of the law on which
cherubim would be found facing back to back. Visually, the turning were engraved the Ten Commandments, was a cubit and a half in
of the cherubim may be associated with the rotating sword guarding width and a cubit and a half in height; its length was two and a half
the way to the Tree of Life. cubits. The ark itself was actually made of three boxes – a box of
acacia wood placed between two boxes of pure gold; thus, the two
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