Machshavot HaLev - Yeshivat Lev HaTorah

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Rav Yehoshua Paltiel
T he construction of the Mishkan begins with its most prominent feature: the aron
ha-eidut. The aron ha-eidut was unique in many ways, one of which is the following
injunction: “In the rings the staves shall remain and they shall not be removed from
it.” This pasuk is mentioned in Masechet Makkot (22a) as a full-fledged lav, and is
listed by the Rambam in his Sefer Hamitzvot under lo-ta’asei #86. Why did Hashem
want the staves to remain attached to the aron ha-eidut at all times? Were they not for
the practical purpose of carrying the aron ha-eidut when the Jewish People traveled?
And why do we not find a similar prohibition for the staves of the two altars and the
table for the lechem ha-panim?
R. Yehuda Nachshoni cites the Midrash Lekach Tov (quoted in Torah Sheleima), which
explains that the staves symbolize those who support the study and teaching of Torah.
The Torah Sheleima also quotes Rav Yosef bar Yosef Nechemias, who explains that
those who support the Torah steadfastly in this world will be in the same place in the
Next World as those they supported, and will not depart from them forever. The Tzror
Ha-mor similarly states that the lesson of the staves is that those who support Torah
study safeguard and maintain the Torah like those who actually study it. That is why
Hashem commands that we build the aron ha-eidut with the word “ve-asu,” meaning
you – in the plural – shall build it, whereas by the other elements of the Mishkan He
says “ve-asita” – in the singular. Safeguarding the Torah and passing it on to the next
generation is a mission of all of Am Yisrael, both those who teach it and those who