THE ARK
by Uri Dessberg
(Originally published in Yibane HaMikdash, issue 10. Based on "Techumin V, p.472-495)
It is interesting to note that, of all vessels of the Beit HaMikdash, the only one we have in our synagogues is the Ark.
The Holy Ark resembles the Ark of the Covenant, as it shares its name, placement and contents (the Torah), and sometimes even its appearance and shape. In our synagogues, we do not have and Altar, a Show Bread Table, or even a Menorah (Our Channukah Menorahs have 8 branches, and not 7 like the Menorah of the Mikdash). This is perplexing, since Reverence of the Mikdash obligates us not to make a replica of the Mikdash and its vessels (Rambam Hilchot Beit HaBechirah 7:10) -- how is it that the Ark of all things, which is the purpose of making the Mishkan (Tabernacle) (see the Ramban on Parshat Trumah), is not included in this prohibition, and that we do make a replica of it?
The truth is that when the Rambam (Maimonides) enumerates the vessels that are prohibited to replicate, he does not include the Ark. Really, the Ark is not a vessel of the Mishkan. It is not used in any part of the Temple Service. Therefore, one would expect that the Rambam would count the mitzvah (commandment) of making the Ark as one of the 613 mitzvot, but he omits it (as opposed to the Ramban (Nachmanides), who counts it as one of the 613 mitzvot). Does the Rambam include the mitzvah of making the Ark with the mitzvah to build the rest of the Mishkan? Also no. In his "Sefer HaMitzvot", he includes making the vessels in the building of the Beit HaMikdash and enumerates, "the Menorah, the Table, the Altar, etc." The Ark, which is the most significant of them all, he omits.
The Ramban writes that it is conceivable that, according the the Rambam, the mitzvah of making the Ark is not for eternity. He himself dismisses this because the Rambam includes the mitzvah to carry the Ark on one's shoulders. It is perplexing that he omits the mitzvah of making it, while the manner of carrying it is kept as an eternal mitzvah.
The Rambam himself answers this question by inserting an historic account into his halachic book, which apparently has not practical halachic implications. "When Shlomo built the Temple, and he knew it would ultimately be destroyed, he built a place to put away the Ark, and King Yoshiyahu commanded and put it away." In reality, this is not merely an historical event, but a halachah: Making the Ark is not an eternal commandment. Once it was made by Betzalel, there is not need to make it again. It was put away, and will never be lost. The eternal halachah is only how to relate to the Ark and how to carry it.
Since, unlike all vessels of the Mikdash, we will never need to make an
Ark again, there is no prohibition to replicate it, and there is no
synagogue which is not dignified by having an Ark.
IN THE NEWS
Arutz Sheva News Service Sunday, October 26, 1997 / Tishrei 25, 5758
TEMPLE MOUNT TO BE DISCUSSED "SOON" BY GOV'T
Ministers Moshe Katzav and Yuli Edelstein complained vociferously at today's government meeting that the ministers have not been updated about the illegal Waqf construction on the Temple Mount. Edelstein warned of "apathy" regarding the building, and said that it could cause "sharp reactions from Jewish extremists." Prime Minister Netanyahu promised that the government would discuss the issue in the near future. The Waqf has warned that if the Israeli police execute their authority on the Temple Mount against the Waqf, Arab violence would ensue.
Transportation Minister Rabbi Yitzchak Levy (NRP) told Arutz-7 today that he is in favor of Jewish prayer on the Temple Mount - the first government minister to say so openly. He said that it is illogical that the only holy site in which not everyone is permitted to pray is that which is the holiest site in Judaism, the site of the Holy Temple. Rabbi Levy said we must talk openly with the Waqf about the actualization our right to pray there. Meanwhile, seven members of the Chai Vekayam movement were violently arrested today, when they attempted to pray at the Temple Mount.
SNS News Headlines October 27, 1997.. 26 Tishrei 5758..Volume III, Number 170
Chai Vekaiyam Members Released
The seven Chai Vekaiyam members arrested after trying to pray near the Temple Mount yesterday, were released today.
The Jerusalem Magistrates Court released them unconditionally, despite police requests to the contrary.
The Court added the arrest was uncalled for, pointing out that the group did not disturb the peace and did not try to forcibly enter the Mount.
The court also rejected the allegations made by the prosecution that the Chai Vekaiyam organization, which is fighting for Jewish Freedom of Worship on the Mount, presents a threat to the public safety.
Arutz Sheva News Service Thursday, October 30, 1997 / Tishrei 29, 5758
COURT REJECTS PETITION TO STOP WAQF CONSTRUCTION
The Supreme Court rejected a petition submitted by the Chai Vekayam organization today, which asked that the Attorney-General be ordered to execute his authority against the illegal construction being carried out by the Waqf on the Temple Mount. The organization claims that the building activity is not only illegal, but is also damaging to the ancient holy site. Attorney-General Rubenstein claimed in court that the construction does not damage the site, and is not in "substantial" violation of the building code. The judges ruled that it sees no reason to intervene.
An organization spokesman said before the decision, "We are demanding that the State of Israel not surrender its sovereignty over the Temple Mount to the Waqf... We will see if the judges stand to the right of the law, as they usually do, and order the authorities to enforce the law, or if they take the position that the Temple Mount is basically not part of Israel and is already being run as an Islamic Palestinian state..."
General Security Service head Ami Ayalon is presently visiting the Temple Mount, for a first-hand look at the construction. Afterwards, he will visit the Holy Temple Institute, headed by Rabbi Yisrael Ariel, in the old city.
THE MID-EAST DISPATCH, ISSUE 599 - 6th November 1997
RECEIPT FROM THE TEMPLE
A rare archeological find was uncovered by thieves doing illegal
excavations recently. A clay "receipt" for three silver shekels given
to the priests at the First Temple, which includes the words
"Temple" and the name of a king, either "Yoash" or "Yehoash," is
now in the possession of a London antique collector. {YEDIOT
AHARONOT 11/6 C}
HaTenu'ah LeChinun HaMikdash
Gathering en masse to arouse consciousness among the People,
its rabbis, and its leaders to rebuild the Beit HaMikdash
and return the Kohanim to their Service
Telephone: +972-2-5371904
Email: Yirmiyahu Fischer
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