Ark of the Covenant

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1. The Incense and Korah's Dispute

   Rabbanit Sharon Rimon

   The incense appears twice in Parashat Korah: once in the context of the incense test, and a second time when Aharon stops the plague. What is unique about incense? Is it of essential significance, or only secondary to the other vessels of the Mishkan? Why is the Altar of Incense mentioned separately from all other holy vessels?

2. Concerning the Mishkan

   Rabbi Yaakov Medan

   The terms used to describe the Mishkan have specific meanings. Mikdash is another word for the Holy Ark; Mishkan refers to the fabrics covering the Mishkan; and the Ohel is the topmost goatskin covers. Placing the goatskins above the fabric coverings is symbolic of the Mishkan as a reflection of the relationship between God and Am Yisrael, as described in Shir Hashirim. This article discusses the symbolism of the structure, and the lengthiness of the Torah’s description of the measurements of the Mishkan.

3. The Defeat at the Hands of the Pelishtim and the Death of Eli (I)

   Chapter 4 (Part I)

   Rabbi Amnon Bazak

   Chapter 4 describes one of the worst defeats Israel has known in the biblical era. The reason for the downfall remains vague: the text does not mention an explicit sin deserving of such a defeat. In fact, the text seems to imply that the nation acted appropriately when they turned to God's Ark. Why, then, did they suffer such a great defeat?

4. The Defeat at the Hands of the Pelishtim and the Death of Eli (II)

   Chapter 4 (Part II)

   Rabbi Amnon Bazak

   The epilogue to chapter 4 discusses the death of Pinhas's wife during the birth of Ikhabod. This story is a supplement to the nation's defeat in their battle against the Philistines, emphasizing the messages of the entire chapter.

5. The Ark of God in Peleshet

   Chapter 5

   Rabbi Amnon Bazak

   While Israel's defeat to the Philistines was a divine punishment, the Philistines perceived their victory as a testimony to their own strength, and victory over the God of Israel, whom they believe to be personified by the Ark. Chapter 5 refutes this claim.

6. The Ark's Return to Israel

   Chapter 6

   Rabbi Amnon Bazak

   After various trials and tribulations the Philistines decide to return the Ark to Israel. This happy event turns tragic when thousands of Israelites die. This lesson will discuss the events of the Ark and the surprising sin of Bnei Yisrael.

7. The Uzza Affair

   Chapter 6 (I)

   Rabbi Amnon Bazak

   Bringing the Ark (Aron) to Jerusalem seemed like a necessary step, but nonetheless the attempt ends in the tragic death of Uzah. What were the circumstances of his death, and in what way was David involved? What cause the various errors that accompanied this episode?

8. The Transfer of the Ark and Mikhal's Laughter

   Chapter 6 (II)

   Rabbi Amnon Bazak

   How did David correct the problems that arose when the Aron was first brought to Jerusalem? Why did Michal laugh at David, and why did David respond so harshly? Why didn't Michal have a child until the day she died?

9. Chapter 3: Crossing the Yarden with the Ark of the Covenant

   Rabbi Michael Hattin

   This lesson discusses the crossing of the Jordan River in Yehoshua chapter 3. The Ark of the Covenant plays an important role in this event. We will consider the special significance of the Ark, ancient Israel's most precious artifact.

10. Revisiting the Yarden Crossing

    Rabbi Michael Hattin

    In direct contrast to the convention of the wilderness, in which the Pillar of Cloud and Ark always precede the people to their destination, here the Pillar of Cloud has in fact disappeared completely and the Ark remained temporarily behind, to indicate to the people that settling Canaan will require a higher level of involvement on their part. They have not been guided to the banks of the Jordan only to maintain the helpless object status that characterized them at Yam Suf. Here, they must complete the process of their liberation by demonstrating direction, resolve, and enterprise. Therefore, they must pass before the Ark. 

11. The Fall of Yericho

    Rabbi Michael Hattin

    This lesson considers the strategy employed for Yericho's capture, and the extremely harsh 'ban' proclaimed by Yehoshua against its spoils. The story of Yericho is Israel's first encounter on the battlefield with the Canaanites. After circling the stout ramparts of Yericho for seven consecutive days, the walls of the city came crashing down. We will discuss the encirclement of the city, the motif of the number seven throughout the bible, and its application in the conquest of Yericho. 

12. Meeting God

    Rabbi Alex Israel | 34 minutes

    In Parashat Teruma, we move to the world of the mishkan, from where, apparently, God “dwells amongst Bnei Yisrael”. These concepts can be difficult to comprehend, as is the long and detailed account of the building materials and process, and the differences of opinion by later commentaries about the placement of the Aron (Ark). Is God in the details? What is this for? We seek to understand the spiritual principles which guide the construction of the mishkan.

13. Teruma: Carrying the Aron

    Rabbi David Silverberg | 39 minutes

    Parashat Teruma includes details of various items for the Mishkan.  Some ambiguity in verses about the Ark of the Covenant (the Aron) prompts us to examine the topic of the Ark and its accoutrements in greater detail. This shiur makes use of classic commentary to analyze linguistic features of the text, and relates to passages in the Talmud which help us appreciate physical and symbolic elements of the Ark.

14. Parshat Tetzaveh

    Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 40 minutes

    The verses describing the construction of mizbe'ach haktoret (the gold altar) are seemingly out of place, not listed among all the other vessels of the mishkan, despite their similarities in terms of materials, instructions, and construction. Why is this mizbe'ach listed separately? Rabbi Chanoch Waxman focuses on the nature of ketoret, placed alongside the aron ha'edut, both in the Torah and in the mishkan itself. This crucial connection teaches us about the means by which the Divine presence is brought forth by human initiative on a daily basis and about the presence of God in the world. 

15. Parshat Behaalotekha

    Rabbi Alex Israel | 28 minutes

    There seems to be a contradiction as to where the Ark of the Covenant was located during Am Yisrael's travels through the desert. On one hand, we know that they traveled in the formation in which they camped, meaning that the Ark was in the center of the nation. On the other hand, a verse in our parsha tells us that the Ark lead the nation - travelled at the front - through the desert. By closely examining the verses as well as the commentaries who grapple with this contradiction, we can learn about the nature of Am Yisrael's relationship with God during times of peace and times of war. 

16. The Three Books of Bamidbar

    Rabbi Yair Kahn

    According to Chazal, the section of this week's parasha beginning with "vayehi b'nesoa ha'aron" serves to split the entire book of Bamidbar into three independent books. What is the meaning of this statement, and which roles do each of the "fragments" of the book of Bamidbar play? By answering this question we can learn about the goal of Sefer Bamidbar - containing a profound truth about the essence of Am Yisrael, their relationship to God, and the fulfillment of their destiny.

17. The Three Books of Bamidbar (Audio)

    Rabbi Yair Kahn | 15 minutes

    According to Chazal, the section of this week's parasha beginning with "vayehi b'nesoa ha'aron" serves to split the entire book of Bamidbar into three independent books. What is the meaning of this statement, and which roles do each of the "fragments" of the book of Bamidbar play? By answering this question we can learn about the goal of Sefer Bamidbar - containing a profound truth about the essence of Am Yisrael, their relationship to God, and the fulfillment of their destiny.

18. Yirmiyahu's Prophecy of the End of the Days

    Rabbi David Sabato

    The second section of chapter three focuses on Yirmiyahu's prophecy regarding the end of days. In this section, Yirmiyahu portrays the ark in a negative light. What is the reason for this, and how is this prophecy connected to the prophecies of repentance that surround it?

19. What does the Shofar Sound like in Neviim and Ketuvim?

    Elisheva Brauner

20. Bringing up the Ark of God - On Failure and Success in Sefer Shmuel

    Rabbi Chanoch Waxman

    תאריך פרסום: תשע"ה | |

    When Uzza dies after touching the Ark, David postpones the rest of the procession to Jerusalem. Why does David act so severely? What went so wrong in this journey that led to a radical turn from joy to despair?

    In this shiur, we discuss the twists and turns in the story of David bringing the Ark to Jerusalem, focusing on the motif of success and failure. We also engage in a comparative analysis of our story in Shmuel Bet with the account in Divrei HaYamim, and with the similar story about the Ark in Shmuel Alef.

    After examining the messages that emerge from each narrative, along with various interpretations of commentators as to what prompted the tragedy, we consider what the Ark is meant to symbolize – how it is meant to be viewed: not as a Divine object that will grant us victory, but as a vehicle for a closer relationship with God.

21. The Ark of the Covenant

    Rabbi Elchanan Samet

    What is the purpose of the Ark of the Covenant? Through a textual analysis in Parshat Teruma, it is clear that the Ark (containing the Tablets of Testimony) and the Ark's covering (with the keruvim from between which God spoke to Moshe) represents the very heart of the Mishkan, The Ark also represents God's revelation to His nation as recorded upon the tablets of stone- thus the Ark expresses the mutual connection between God and Israel. 

22. "Ark of Testimony," "Ark of Covenant" or "Ark of God"?

    Rabbanit Sharon Rimon

    The Torah refers to the holy Ark by various different names.  What are these different names? When is each of them used? Is there a distinct significance attached to each name, or do they all express the same idea in different language? A close examination of the text reveals that the various names represent the multiple purposes of the Ark. 

23. Yehoshua Perek 3

    Jesse Salem | 17 minutes

    This lecture provides an overview of Yehoshua Perek 3, describing Yehoshua’s preparation to cross into Israel and the famous miracle of the splitting of the Jordan river. 

     

    Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com

24. Looking Away from the Sacred Vessels

    Rabbi David Silverberg

25. I Shmuel 5-6

    Matan Al Haperek

    Matan Al HaPerek - Neta Shapira

    These chapters follow the journey of the Ark after being captured by the Philistines. Through the attitude of the Philistines toward the Ark and their collective punishment, and through the bitter fate suffered by the people of Beit Shemesh, we learn just how dangerous inappropriate contact with the Ark can be. 

26. Terumah: Is There a Face Hiding in the Tabernacle?

    Rabbi David Fohrman |

    In Parshat Terumah, we are given explicit details about how to build the mishkan, the Tabernacle that traveled with the nation of Israel through the wilderness. In this video, Rabbi Fohrman suggests that the mishkan might represent a hidden 'face' - and asks us to think about who we really are, our physical bodies, or the souls that lies behind them?

     

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27. Mikketz: Suspects

    Rabbanit Dr. Michal Tikochinsky

28. Sefer Bemidbar: Archaeology

    Nachliel Selavan | 32 minutes

    This is an analysis of the Archaeology of the Sefer Bemidbar by Nachliel Selavan.

    Archaeology Snapshot is a discussion on the location, timeline, main characters and highlights from history and archaeology, for each Sefer in Tanach.