The Hidden Stories Within Jewish History's Arks

Parshat Terumah provides a detailed account of the construction of the Tabernacle. This level of detail is reminiscent of the description of Noah's Ark. In both instances, the Torah could have simply stated: "Hashem commanded Noah to build a large, spacious ark suitable for people and animals," or "Hashem commanded Bezalel to construct a magnificent, dignified Tabernacle for worship." Technically, that would have sufficed.

Next in the Torah, after Noah's Ark, is the ark of Moses: "She took a papyrus basket for him and coated it with clay and tar." This ark saved Israel's savior from the floodwaters and Pharaoh's decree, reminding us of Noah's Ark, which was also coated in a special covering: "Cover it inside and out with pitch." Yocheved did not know who she was saving. In fact, it seemed that all the children of Israel were destined to perish, and Amram thought there was no point in bringing more children into the world. Saving this child seemed like a small act, an illogical self-sacrifice, hoping he might be saved. After all, he could have been devoured by a crocodile, taken by Egyptians, or faced many other dangers.

The similarities between the detailed instructions for building the ark, such as its width, height, placement of the door, and division into three levels, closely parallel the commands for the Tabernacle. Similarly, the "cover" of both the ark and the Tabernacle, and the connection to the cloud in which Hashem appeared after their completion, mirror each other. The offerings of the Israelites for the Tabernacle are their "ransom," akin to the protective coating on Noah's Ark — these offerings were used for the sockets, which are the structure covering of the Tabernacle's boards from outside, and more.

The sages present a fascinating midrash: "The ark should have a nest - Rabbi Yitzchak said, just like a nest purifies the leper, so does your ark purify you" (Genesis Rabbah, 31). How is the "Tractate of Nests" connected here?

We understand this through another midrash, where Abraham asks Shem, son of Noah: Why were you spared from the flood? Shem replied: We practiced charity with the animals, cattle, and birds; we did not sleep but provided for each in turn all night long. "At that moment, Abraham said: If charity saved them, surely doing charity with humans would be more powerful. So he planted a tamarisk in Beersheba, offering food, drink, and hospitality."

In essence, this ark was a center of labor and giving. Noah worked for many years on building the ark, intending to inspire repentance. He and his sons worked to feed the animals to sustain the world, the opposite of the generation of the Flood, who committed only violence. These partitions created a space of holiness within, protecting its inhabitants. Holiness means dedicating life to a higher purpose, the opposite of emptiness and the pursuit of physical satisfaction.

After the Giving of the Torah, when the Israelites embarked on their long journey to fulfill Hashem's vision, they were given their "Noah's Ark," the Tabernacle, where they and their representatives, the priests, would serve with absolute dedication to Hashem's will. They were to account for every sin and every thought, continuously refining themselves. This place is the engine room of the entire world. When "the day of reckoning" comes, the great and terrible day of Hashem, likened to a flood, this ark will protect those who listened to the words of those who served it. Those who did not listen or understand its purpose, "what is this service to you?," will not be protected.

Now, what happens within the walls of this ark may seem small, but it is not. Like every small button in the engine room, only the one who designed the spacecraft or the entire ship can understand its significance. This attention to detail is vital. Just as Noah's Ark wouldn't withstand the floodwaters if not built correctly, so too the Tabernacle.