Purpose of the Mishkan/2/en

Purpose of the Mishkan

Exegetical Approaches

Overview

Commentators disagree whether to view the Tabernacle as an ideal vehicle for Divine worship, merely a concession to reality, or something in between. Among those who consider the Mishkan to be inherently positive, R"Y Bekhor Shor and Ramban focus on its serving as a home for the Tablets and Hashem's ongoing revelation, the Biur highlights the appropriateness of dedicating our initial creative endeavors to God, and Shadal emphasizes the social benefits of having a national center.

Other Midrashim and commentators, though, see the Mishkan as a necessary corrective for the Israelites' idolatrous desires. Thus, the Tanchuma presents the Mishkan as both an atonement for the sin of the Golden Calf as well as evidence of a Divine amnesty, while Rambam views the Mishkan as an attempt to channel the nation's unfit inclinations to the service of Hashem.

Finally, some exegetes posit that the Mishkan had multiple purposes or evolved as a result of the nation's sins. Abarbanel proposes that originally the Mishkan was to be exclusively an embodiment of Hashem's presence, but that after the sin of the Golden Calf it was modified to become a sacrificial center. Seforno, on the other hand, contends that sacrifices were always a significant part of the Divine plan, but that the people's sin created the need for the centralization of the Divine presence and worship.

An Ideal

Building the Mishkan provided a diverse array of benefits and opportunities for the Children of Israel.

Extension of Sinai

The Mishkan facilitated the continuation of the Divine revelation which began at Mt. Sinai and it housed the Tablets of the Covenant which were given at Sinai.¹

Sources: R. Yosef Bekhor ShorShemot 25:2Shemot 25:6Shemot 25:18Shemot 30:1Shemot 36:8Vayikra 2:13About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor, RambanShemot 25:2Shemot 29:46Shemot 40:34Introduction to VayikraIntroduction to BemidbarDerashat Torat Hashem Temimah (p. 163)About R. Moshe Nachmanides, U. CassutoIntroduction to Shemot 25About U. Cassuto

"וְשָׁכַנְתִּי בְּתוֹכָם" – R"Y Bekhor Shor and Ramban render "בְּתוֹכָם" as "in their center", and thus they understand this phrase to mean that Hashem's presence was literally² contained within the walls of the Tabernacle,³ which was located at the geographic center of the nation's encampment.⁴ Cassuto, however, is more circumspect, stating merely that the nation viewed the Mishkan as a symbol that God's presence was among them. All three commentators agree, though, that this verse, as per its literal interpretation, provides Hashem's primary reason for commanding the building of the Tabernacle.⁵

Need for a house – R"Y Bekhor Shor explains that, at its most basic level, the Tabernacle was designed to house the Ark, which in turn functioned as a safe deposit box for the Tablets. Building on this, Ramban develops the notion that this connection to the Tablets also mystically transformed the Mishkan and the Ark into an extension of Mt. Sinai,⁶ thereby facilitating the continued Divine presence.⁷ For both of them, while Hashem has no personal need for the Mishkan, it was still a necessary condition for His continued presence in the midst of the nation. In contrast, according to Cassuto, although Hashem can dwell amidst the people without the existence of any physical building, the nation needed to see a tangible structure in order to reassure them of God's continued presence.⁸

Why now? Logically, the command to build the Mishkan comes at this point, since it is an outgrowth of the revelation at Mt. Sinai and must house the Tablets which Moshe brought down from the mountain. Cassuto further suggests that the construction of the Mishkan was timed to be completed before the nation's departure from Sinai.

Chronology – According to Ramban and Cassuto, the command to build the Mishkan is recorded in chronological order, as it flowed from the Sinaitic revelation and preceded (and was unconnected to) the sin of the Golden Calf.⁹ R"Y Bekhor Shor, though, maintains that the instructions were given only after the sin of the Golden Calf.¹⁰

Ancient Near Eastern parallels – In the Ancient Near East, copies of treaties were often stored in the temples of the gods of the two parties,¹¹ both for their safekeeping and to instill fear of retribution for any transgressions from the divine witness. As the Tablets of the Law served as testimony to the covenant (or treaty) between the nation and Hashem, it is not surprising that they were similarly stored in Hashem's "Temple", the Mishkan.¹²

Biblical parallels – Ramban points to a number of linguistic and conceptual parallels which link the giving of the Decalogue at Mt. Sinai and the construction of the Mishkan.¹³ These highlight how the Tabernacle transformed the initial one-time revelation into a continuous one.¹⁴

Focal point – R. Yosef Bekhor Shor and Ramban¹⁵ maintain that the Ark ("אֲרוֹן הָעֵדֻת") and the Tablets ("לֻחֹת הָעֵדֻת") are the raison d'être for the entire Mishkan (which was thus referred to as "מִשְׁכַּן הָעֵדֻת")‎,¹⁶ as it is above the Ark that Hashem would descend in order to commune with Moshe. They assert that for this very reason, the aron is the first vessel commanded to be made.¹⁷ R"Y Bekhor Shor also proposes that the innermost Holy of Holies was Hashem's personal chamber and the Aron with its keruvim were his throne, as in a royal palace.¹⁸

Altars for atonement – Ramban explains that the sacrifices, by atoning for the nation's sins, insure that the Divine presence does not desert the sanctuary.¹⁹ According to him, the altars were subservient to the Aron which was the main focus of the Tabernacle.²⁰

Tabernacle unmentioned prior to Moshe's ascent – According to this approach, it is possible that Hashem initially mentioned only the Tablets to Moshe, since they are what created the need for the Tabernacle.²¹

Purpose of the Beit HaMikdash – Ramban equates the Mishkan and the Mikdash.²² The primary purpose of both was to be a home for the Divine presence.

Honoring Hashem

The Mishkan provided an opportunity for the Children of Israel to express their gratitude to and respect for Hashem. Thus, all of the nation's initial collective and creative labors are dedicated to Hashem in the form of the Tabernacle.

Sources: BiurBiur, End of ShemotAbout the Biur²³

Need for a house – According to the Biur, consecrating a House for God was for the people's own benefit. In dedicating the first fruits of their building, the nation learned to recognize Hashem's hand in all that they did and made. For this approach, it was the process of building and dedicating a house to Hashem, rather than the resulting completed product, which was most important.²⁴

Why now? As the nation was about to enter the land and begin building an infrastructure, homes, and other institutions, it was incumbent on them to first consecrate the initial fruits of their labor to Hashem.

Chronology – According to this approach, it is logical to assume that the command to build the Tabernacle appears in its chronological place.

Parallels – The Biur compares the Israelite's dedication to Hashem of the first product of their labors to the obligation of giving the first fruits of one's progeny, land, and livestock to God.

Focal point – This position does not focus on any particular vessel or portion of the Mishkan, but rather on the edifice in its entirety.

"וְשָׁכַנְתִּי בְּתוֹכָם" – This approach would view this verse, not as the ultimate purpose of the building, but merely as one of its practical benefits.

Altars for atonement – This opinion also does not see atonement to be the main objective of the Tabernacle.

Purpose of the Beit HaMikdash – Mendelssohn in the Biur explains that when the nation attained a higher economic status in the time of Shelomo, it was appropriate for them to also upgrade the Tabernacle to the more opulent level of the Temple.

National Center

The Mishkan ensured the unity of the nation by providing a centralized location for all to gather in their worship of Hashem.

Sources: ShadalShemot 25:1Vayikra 1:2Shadal Yirmeyahu 7:22About R. S.D. Luzzatto

Need for a house – Shadal suggests that the house served as a unifying communal center for the nation, helping to keep tribal divisions at bay and instilling feelings of brotherhood as they gathered together in service of Hashem. According to him, only a tangible structure could impress upon the masses a full appreciation of the fact that Hashem, their king, was in their midst.²⁵ As such, the Tabernacle was built in the image of a king's palace with all of its grandeur.²⁶

Why now? Shadal asserts that God did not want to wait to build this center until the nation would finish the conquest and already be dispersed. Thus, while they were still united, He commanded them to build a portable house which could be set up anywhere.

Chronology – According to Shadal, the command to build the Mishkan is in its chronological place.²⁷

Parallels – Shadal develops similar theories with regard to Shabbat and the Three Pilgrimage Festivals ("שָׁלֹשׁ רְגָלִים")‎,²⁸ suggesting that they too were designed to unify the nation.²⁹

Focal point – Shadal suggests that the sacrificial service on the altar is the main focus of the Tabernacle, as only through bringing tribute to Hashem would the nation internalize His majesty. Here, too, Shadal stresses that this was entirely for the nation's benefit.³⁰

"וְשָׁכַנְתִּי בְּתוֹכָם" – Shadal understands this verse to be describing the nation's perception that Hashem is dwelling in their midst,³¹ and that this is not the ultimate purpose of the Mishkan, but rather a means of achieving national unity.

Altars for atonement – According to Shadal,³² the annual procedure of atoning on the altars was to avert a situation in which the masses might think that the Sanctuary had been permanently polluted by their sins or impurities.³³

Purpose of the Beit HaMikdash – The Mikdash similarly served as a national center.³⁴

An Antidote

The construction of the Mishkan was intended not as an ideal or an end unto itself, but rather as a means of remedying a problematic situation.

Means of Atonement

The Tabernacle was built to atone for the sin of the Golden Calf.³⁵

Sources: SifreDevarim 1About Sifre, TanchumaTerumah 8About the Tanchuma,³⁶ Lekach TovBeginning of Parsahat VayakhelAbout R. Toviah b. Eliezer, R. BachyaShemot 25:6About R. Bachya b. Asher

Need for a house – Although Hashem does not need a house, the nation needed to donate to Hashem in order to reaffirm their loyalty to Him, and the act of donating gold to the Mishkan compensated for the sin of giving gold for the making of the Golden Calf.³⁷

Chronology

• Achronological order – The Sifre and Tanchuma maintain that although the directive to build the Tabernacle appears before the sin of the Golden Calf, it was actually commanded only afterwards, and in response to the sin.
• Chronological order – While Lekach Tov and R. Bachya agree that the building of the Mishkan atoned for the sin of the Golden Calf, they nonetheless assert that the command preceded the sin, as God "provided a cure before the illness" ("הקדים רפואה למכה").

Why now? According to the Sifre and Tanchuma, the command was a direct response to the nation's sin.³⁸ Alternatively, for the Lekach Tov and R. Bachya, as soon as Hashem gave the first set of mitzvot, He also instituted a procedure through which to atone if one transgressed them.

Parallels – Bemidbar 17:1-5 and 31:49-54 describe the giving of materials to the Mishkan in the aftermath of sins and the resulting Divine wrath.

Focal point – R. Yosi b. Hanina in the Sifre views the golden cover for the Aron, the source for atonement, as the focal point of the Tabernacle.³⁹

"וְשָׁכַנְתִּי בְּתוֹכָם" – This verse describes the ultimate goal of the atonement process, to have God return to the nation after their sin.

Tabernacle unmentioned prior to Moshe's ascent – According to the Sifre and Tanchuma, God does not mention the Tabernacle since it was only commanded during Moshe's last ascent to Mt. Sinai.⁴⁰

Purpose of the Beit HaMikdash – According to some commentators, the building of the Mikdash was similarly part of David's effort to atone for his sin of counting the people.

Polemical factors – The emphasis in the Midrash that the Children of Israel atoned for and were forgiven for the sin of the Golden Calf, may be a response to Christian claims that the Golden Calf caused a permanent breach in God's relationship with the Jewish people.⁴¹

Nature of the Golden Calf – This approach would likely view the Golden Calf as an example of full idolatry, rather than merely the nation's desire for a replacement for Moshe.⁴²

Sign of Forgiveness

After the sin of the Golden Calf, doubt set in regarding Hashem's feelings towards the sinful nation. The Tabernacle testified that Hashem had indeed forgiven them and had returned to their midst.

Sources: TanchumaTerumah 8Pekudei 2About the Tanchuma,⁴³ RashiShemot 31:18Shemot 38:21Vayikra 9:23About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki

Need for a house – Though Hashem had no need for a physical home, tangible proof of Hashem's dwelling was needed to convince the surrounding nations, or the Children of Israel themselves,⁴⁴ that He had forgiven them and was once again residing in their midst.⁴⁵

Chronology – The command is not in its chronological place.⁴⁶ It was first given on Yom HaKippurim, when Hashem pardoned the nation for the sin of the Golden Calf.

Why now? Until the sin, no one doubted God's presence, and a pillar of fire or cloud sufficed. Afterwards, though, it was no longer clear that Hashem would continue to accompany the nation. The Mishkan was built to persuade everyone of His presence.

Parallels –

Focal point –

"וְשָׁכַנְתִּי בְּתוֹכָם" – These words point to the entire purpose of the Mishkan, reassurance that Hashem was once again dwelling amongst them.

Altars for atonement –

Tabernacle unmentioned prior to Moshe's ascent – There was no mention since Hashem did not command the nation to build anything during the first ascent up the mountain.

Purpose of the Beit HaMikdash –

Polemical factors – The Tanchuma emphasizes that the Tabernacle served as testimony to the entire world ("כדי שידעו כל האומות", "עדות לכל באי העולם") that Hashem had forgiven the Children of Israel and not rejected them in the aftermath of the sin of the Golden Calf. This may be a direct response to Christian claims that the Golden Calf caused a permanent breach in God's relationship with the Jewish people and created the need for them to observe all of the mitzvot rather than merely having simple faith. According to the Midrash, it is only the commandment to build a Tabernacle⁴⁷ which follows the sin of the Golden Calf, while all other mitzvot were given already at Marah or on Mt. Sinai before the sin.⁴⁸

Concession to Human Foibles

The Mishkan was not the preferred forum for worship, but simply a necessity given the people's tendencies towards idolatrous practices.

Sources: R. Yehuda HaLeviKuzari 1:97About R. Yehuda HaLevi, RambamHilkhot Beit HaBechirah 1:1Moreh Nevukhim 3:32Moreh Nevukhim 3:45About R. Moshe Maimonides

Need for a house – Both R. Yehuda HaLevi and Rambam assert that, due to the influences of the surrounding culture of worship, the Children of Israel desired to serve Hashem through physical means.

• R. Yehuda HaLevi emphasizes the nation's need for a tangible object to which they could direct their service to Hashem. As the people were used to others worshiping idols, they, too, looked for some concrete representation of God's presence.
• Rambam, instead, focuses on the people's need for a sacrificial service. As neighboring religions worshiped their gods through the bringing of sacrifices and incense, the Israelites wanted to serve Hashem in the same manner. Rambam emphasizes that God's allowance of this service was a means of weaning the people away from true idolatry.⁴⁹

Why now?

Chronology – These commentators do not address this issue.

Parallels – Rambam suggests that many of the specific laws of sacrifices, such as the selection of animals used, the prohibition against leavened bread and honey and the command to include salt, are similarly a reaction to idolatrous practices.

Focal point – R. Yehuda HaLevi would probably view the ark and tablets as the central point of the Mishkan as these represented God's presence. For Rambam, in contrast, the altars and accompanying sacrifices were the focus.

"וְשָׁכַנְתִּי בְּתוֹכָם" – Rambam, who is troubled by the notion that Hashem's presence can be confined to any one place, would probably prefer to read this verse to mean that God resides amongst the people of the nation, rather than in a building in their midst. R. Yehuda HaLevi might say that the verse is speaking from the perspective of the people who saw the building as representing God's presence amongst them.

Altars for atonement –

Tabernacle unmentioned prior to Moshe's ascent –

Purpose of the Beit HaMikdash –

Multiple or Evolving Objectives

The Mishkan had multiple purposes or reflected the revision of an originally preferred Divine plan as a result of human failings.

Multiple Purposes

The Mishkan had several objectives, serving both as a vehicle through which the nation could honor and show their appreciation to God and as a site which facilitated expiation of sins.

Sources: Midrash Aggadah (Buber)Shemot 26:15Shemot 27:1 #1Shemot 27:1 #2Shemot 29:38Shemot 32:1Shemot 35:1About Midrash Aggadah (Buber),^50515253

"וְשָׁכַנְתִּי בְּתוֹכָם" – R. Saadia Gaon vehemently opposes the idea that Hashem is confined in, or has need of, a physical structure, and asserts that God does not reside in the Mishkan at all.⁵⁴ He, presumably, understands that in this verse God is saying that He will dwell amongst the people as a whole.

Need for a house – This approach maintains that the only way the nation knew how to relate to God was via human models of relationship. Thus, they thought to honor God in the way that subjects glorify a king,⁵⁵ by building him a palace complete with a candelabrum, table, and incense.⁵⁶ R. Saadia points to other benefits of the building as well, including the fact that it serves as a focal point for people's prayers, as a disincentive to sin (lest it be destroyed), and as a site for people to prophecy and God to perform signs and wonders.

Why now? Neither source addresses the issue directly. One might suggest that after God revealed Himself to the nation, they desired to reciprocate in some manner. In addition, right after Hashem gave the first set of mitzvot, He saw the need to institute a procedure through which to atone if one transgressed them.

Chronology – According to this position the story is in its proper place. Though Midrash Aggadah asserts that certain aspects of the Tabernacle were meant to atone for the sin of the Golden Calf (or other future sins), it explains that God preempted the nation's sins with a ready-made cure.⁵⁷

Parallels –

Focal point – The Mishkan does not have just one focal point. The edifice as a whole was a means of honoring God, while the sacrificial altars played a role in atonement.

Altars for atonement – Midrash Aggdah asserts that many aspects of the Tabernacle served as means to facilitate expiation of sins. The gold atoned for the gold of the Golden calf, the half shekel for the nation's mistake in calculating Moshe's arrival down the mountains and acacia wood (עֲצֵי שִׁטִּים) for the future sin of Baal Peor which took place at שִׁטִּים. The institution of altars and the daily sacrifices served to amend wrongdoings that might occur on any given day or night.

Tabernacle unmentioned prior to Moshe's ascent –

Purpose of the Beit HaMikdash –

Mishkan vs. Sacrifices

Sources: AbarbanelShemot 25, Question 1Shemot 25Shemot 35Yirmeyahu 7About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel

Need for a house –

Why now?

Chronology –

Parallels –

Focal point –

"וְשָׁכַנְתִּי בְּתוֹכָם" –

Altars for atonement –

Tabernacle unmentioned prior to Moshe's ascent –

Purpose of the Beit HaMikdash –

Setting Divine Boundaries

Sources: SefornoShemot 20:20-22Shemot 24:18Shemot 31:18Vayikra 11:2Bemidbar 15:3Kavanot HaTorah 6,13About R. Ovadyah Seforno, Hoil MosheShemot 20:20Shemot 27:20Bemidbar 1:2About R. Moshe Yitzchak Ashkenazi

Need for a house –

Why now?

Chronology –

Parallels –

Focal point –

"וְשָׁכַנְתִּי בְּתוֹכָם" –

Altars for atonement –

Tabernacle unmentioned prior to Moshe's ascent –

Purpose of the Beit HaMikdash –

¹ R"Y Bekhor Shor is the commentator who most explicitly merges these two motifs. It is theoretically possible to split between them, however the Sinai connection serves as the link between them.

² See Anthropomorphism for discussion of the different views regarding the nature of God's presence and their implications for understanding our verse.

³ This reading is supported by several verses which appear to indicate that Hashem's presence resided in the Mishkan itself – see Shemot 25:22, Shemot 29:42-43, Shemot 40:34-38, and others. It is also the interpretation adopted by Pesikta DeRav KahanaKi Tisa 2:10About Pesikta DeRav Kahana and TanchumaKi Tisa 10Naso 11About the Tanchuma. In contrast, Mekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelBo Masekhta DePischa 16About Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael appears to reject this possibility.

⁴ R"Y Bekhor Shor even compares the Israelite camp encircling the Tabernacle to the angels on high surrounding God's throne. Cf. Rambam and Abarbanel below who interpret "בְּתוֹכָם" as simply "amongst them" and "וְשָׁכַנְתִּי בְּתוֹכָם" to refer to the Divine providence over the nation in general, rather than something centered in the Mishkan.

⁵ See also Pesikta DeRav KahanaKi Tisa 2:10About Pesikta DeRav Kahana and TanchumaNaso 11Naso 22About the Tanchuma.

⁶ See Ramban Devarim 4:9 regarding the importance of maintaining the memory of the Sinaitic experience. Cf. Ramban Shemot 13:16 where he develops a similar position regarding the various mitzvot which were intended to insure the continued experience of the Exodus.

⁷ See Ramban's formulation: "וסוד המשכן הוא, שיהיה הכבוד אשר שכן על הר סיני שוכן עליו בנסתר". For Ramban, the Mishkan replaced Mt. Sinai as the source of revelation, and thus subsequent mitzvot were given from the Tabernacle.

⁸ Note the contrast between Ramban's mystical approach and Cassuto's more rational bent. Cf. R"Y Bekhor Shor who suggests that the command to build the Tabernacle was intended to provide the people with extra opportunities to observe mitzvot. This view is found already in the Mekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelBo Masekhta DePischa 16About Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael.

⁹ Ramban here is consistent with his general disinclination to suggest that Biblical narratives are out of order, unless this is explicitly indicated by the text. See About Ramban for elaboration.

¹⁰ R"Y Bekhor Shor might explain that since Hashem knew that the first set of Tablets would be broken, he waited to command Moshe about the Mishkan until Moshe's third set of forty days on Sinai when he received the second set of Tablets.

¹¹ See Cassuto Shemot 25:16 who mentions this practice with regard to a treaty between Ramses of Egypt and a Hittite king. See, also, N. Sarna, Exploring Exodus (New York, 1996): 137-138, who points to a Hittite treaty in which the king writes, "A duplicate of this treaty has been deposited before the sun-goddess of Arnina... In the Mitanni land [a duplicate] has been deposited before Tessub, the lord of the kurrinu [sanctuary or shrine] of Kahat".

¹² This practice can also explain the opinion of the Sages in Mekhilta Yitro BaChodesh 8 that each of the two tablets contained all ten utterances. If treaties were usually written in duplicate, one copy for each party, it is logical that the tablets, too, were identical, one being a copy for Hashem and one for the Nation of Israel, each stored in the ark within Hashem's Mishkan.

Cassuto suggests that the ark itself was also seen as more than a storage chest. In the Ancient Near East, treaties were deposited "at the feet" of the deity and it is possible that the Israelites imaginatively viewed the ark as Hashem's "footstool". Thus, King David in Divrei HaYamim I 28:2 says: "אֲנִי עִם לְבָבִי לִבְנוֹת בֵּית מְנוּחָה לַאֲרוֹן בְּרִית ה' וְלַהֲדֹם רַגְלֵי אֱלֹהֵינוּ", and Tehillim 132:7-8 also relates the two: "נָבוֹאָה לְמִשְׁכְּנוֹתָיו נִשְׁתַּחֲוֶה לַהֲדֹם רַגְלָיו. קוּמָה ה' לִמְנוּחָתֶךָ אַתָּה וַאֲרוֹן עֻזֶּךָ".

¹³ He notes that the cloud of Hashem's glory descended upon both Mt. Sinai and the Mishkan, God's voice was heard from each, both included prohibitions against coming too close to Hashem's holiness on pain of death, protective boundaries were set around each, and how Hashem called to Moshe to approach in both cases.

¹⁴ The roots of this explanation can be found in the words of R. Shemuel b. Chofni Gaoncited by Ibn Ezra Shemot Long Commentary 19:13About R. Shemuel b. Chofni Gaon who points out that Hashem's glory migrated directly from Mt. Sinai to the Tabernacle. See also R. Yosef Bekhor Shor on Shemot 40:29 and Cassuto.

¹⁵ See also Ramban in his Hasagot to Sefer HaMitzvot, Mitzvat Aseh 33, where he counts the mitzvah to build the Ark as its own distinct commandment.

¹⁶ This position is also explicit in RashbamShemot 25:10Shemot 26:1About R. Shemuel b. Meir.

¹⁷ See also Rashbam cited above. Rashbam, R"Y Bekhor Shor, and Ramban all explain that the different ordering in Parashat Vayakhel is pragmatic, as one cannot construct the ark until there is a house to place it in. Thus, in Vayakhel, the physical structure is built first and only afterwards are the vessels made.

¹⁸ R"Y Bekhor Shor proceeds to develop this analogy further, noting that the sacrificial altar, as the equivalent of the royal kitchen and slaughterhouse, was therefore at a distance from the inner chamber. Cf. Midrash Aggadah (Buber) below.

¹⁹ See Ramban's formulation in his Introduction to Vayikra "שיהו הקרבנות כפרה להן ולא יגרמו העונות לסלק השכינה". [Ramban may be focusing here on the role of sin offerings in particular, as burnt offerings and peace offerings existed even before the Mishkan was built.] Cf. Ramban in his Derashat Torat Hashem Temimah where he suggests that the Divine glory initially descended upon the Mishkan and the Mikdash only as a result of the offering of the sacrifices.

²⁰ Cf. R"Y Bekhor Shor who contends that the bringing of sacrifices allow a person to atone and receive a fresh start, thereby preventing him from wallowing in his sins in despair. [See also Shadal below who adopts a similar approach but limits its application to unintentional sins.] For R"Y Bekhor Shor, the sacrifices have intrinsic value, but they are independent of the Mishkan (having existed prior to it) and are not the reason for its construction.

²¹ Alternatively, according to R"Y Bekhor Shor, Hashem waited to mention the Tabernacle until it was needed for the Tablets.

²² See also the parallels noted by Rashbam Shemot 40:35.

²³ The roots of this approach may be found in the Midrash Aggadah (Buber) cited below.

²⁴ It thus better explains the reason for the original construction than the need for the ongoing service.

²⁵ Shadal, like R. Yehuda HaLevi and Rambam below (and Cassuto above), views the need for a physical building and all of its accouterments as necessary because of the Israelites' need for a concrete symbol of God's presence. However, in contrast to R"Y HaLevi and the Rambam, Shadal does not regard this in a negative light and does not think the nation needs to be weaned away from their notions ("שאין המנהג הזה רע מצד עצמו ולא מזיק לבני אדם ולתיקון מידותם, אבל הוא מועיל להם").

²⁶ Cf. the Midrash Aggadah (Buber) below and R"Y Bekhor Shor above. Shadal extends the analogy from the palace furniture to the need for royal servants (the kohanim).

²⁷ Shadal emphasizes that the sin of the Golden Calf did not prompt the command, but, to the contrary, delayed its execution, as God did not desire to dwell amongst a sinful nation.

²⁸ See Shadal in his commentary on Shemot 20:11Shemot 20:11About R. S.D. Luzzatto, and in Yesodei HaTorah 53-54 (pp.61-62)Yesodei HaTorah 54About R. S.D. Luzzatto, and in [= Mechkarei HaYahadut I (pp.44-45)].

²⁹ Cf. Philo in On the Special Laws I:70, Josephus in Antiquities 4:8:7 (203-204), and Rambam in Moreh Nevukhim 3:32,43.

³⁰ See Shadal's interpretation of Yirmeyahu 7:22.

³¹ Like Rambam and Abarbanel below, he understands this only in a metaphorical sense.

³² See Shadal Vayikra 16:16.

³³ See also Half Shekels – For Census or Tabernacle for Shadal's interpretation of the atonement provided by giving the half-Shekels. Regarding individual atonement sacrifices, see Shadal Vayikra 1:2 and cf. R"Y Bekhor Shor above.

³⁴ See Yerovam's concerns and plan of action in Melakhim I 12:26-33.

³⁵ One could perhaps extend this theory to suggest that the Tabernacle was not limited to atoning for the one-time sin of the Golden Calf, but rather was built to facilitate the expiation of all types of future sins via the bringing of sacrifices. However, since a stand-alone altar would have sufficed for atonement sacrifices, this would not account for the need to build the rest of the Mishkan complex. Cf. the Tanchuma and Midrash Aggadah below which propose that atoning for future sins was the purpose of building specifically the sacrificial altar.

³⁶ See below that the Tanchuma synthesizes this with the motif that the Mishkan constituted a proof that Hashem had forgiven the Children of Israel.

³⁷ This approach views the process of building as being more important than the finished product. It sees a "measure for measure" atonement in the actions of the people. The gold of the Tabernacle was supposed to atone for the gold used to make the Golden Calf, and the new "gathering" to contribute for the Mishkan was supposed to undo the original "gathering" to worship idolatry. See Lekach Tov for further parallels.

³⁸ If follows from this that, had the people not sinned, there would have been no need for the Mishkan.

³⁹ The other sources speak more generally of the gold used in the Mishkan.

⁴⁰ Lekach Tov and R. Bachya might suggest that it was not mentioned as it was not yet relevant.

⁴¹ See elaboration below.

⁴² See the Sin of the Golden Calf for elaboration.

⁴³ See above that the Tanchuma integrates this theme together with the idea that the Mishkan was a vehicle for atonement.

⁴⁴ Tanchuma points to the need to persuade the other nations whereas Rashi asserts that it was the Israelites who were still in doubt.

⁴⁵ In contrast to the above position which has the Tabernacle being a conciliatory gift from the nation to Hashem, a means of asking for pardon, this position views the building as a gift from God to man, telling them that He had indeed forgiven them. The structure's name, "מִשְׁכַּן הָעֵדֻת" hints to the fact that it served as a witness to God's forgiveness.

⁴⁶ Rashi, here, is consistent with his general approach towards ordering in Tanakh, where he is often willing to posit achronology. See About Rashi for elaboration.

⁴⁷ The Midrash may be making the ironic point that building temples or churches is one of the few commandments that Christians observe.

⁴⁸ See also Avot and Mitzvot – Was Avraham the First Jew?.

⁴⁹ He explains that Hashem could not simply uproot the practice altogether since no one can totally change their lifestyle and habits overnight. Thus, Hashem preferred to gradually pull the nation away from such worship.

⁵⁰ Different sections within the Midrash emphasize different aspects of the Mishkan's role. The Midrash on Shemot 27:1 emphasizes how the structure was the nation's way of demonstrating their appreciation to God while many of the other sources highlight the expiatory role played by the sacrificial altars, half shekel, and building materials. While it is possible that the Midrash is simply an eclectic collection, with no consistent approach to the question, the presentation below chooses to view these various options as working together.

⁵¹ The Midrash Aggadah maintains that the purpose of the commands regarding the sacrificial altar and the giving of the half-shekels was to atone for the nation's future sins. [The Midrash Aggadah also states that the Mishkan was constructed from "shittim" wood, in order to atone for the future sin of Baal Peor which took place at Shittim.] However, it differs from the other Midrashim in that it neither specifically mentions the sin of the Golden Calf, nor speaks of the Mishkan as a whole. See above that the Midrash Aggadah views the purpose of the Mishkan in its entirety as a way of the nation demonstrating their appreciation of Hashem. [See below that the Midrash Aggadah separately emphasizes that a sacrificial altar was needed to atone for the nation's future sins. In addition, Midrash Aggadah agrees that once the Golden Calf was made, the implementation of the plans to build the Mishkan also served to atone for the nation's sin.]

⁵² According to the Midrash Aggadah, which does not mention the specific sin of the Golden Calf, it is possible that a stand-alone altar would have sufficed to atone for future sins, and that the building of the rest of the Mishkan complex was required only for other reasons. See above for the Midrash Aggadah's explanation that the Mishkan was originally commanded to enable the nation to express their appreciation to Hashem. Midrash Aggadah, though, agrees that once the Golden Calf was made, the implementation of the plans to build the Mishkan also served to atone for the nation's sin.

⁵³ The Midrash Aggadah also appears to assume that the Mishkan was commanded before the sin of the Golden Calf. See its formulation on 32:1: "לפיכך הקדים להם מחצית השקל לכפר".

⁵⁴ It is just the light of his presence that resides there.

⁵⁵ The Midrash presents the idea of building a house as stemming from the people's request, which Hashem then agreed to. R. Saadia Gaon, in contrast, asserts that God commanded the nation to serve him in the way servants serve their king.

⁵⁶ Cf. R. Yosef Bekhor Shor and Shadal above who similarly see the Mishkan as modeled after a human palace. R. Yosef Bekhor Shor suggests that the outside altar and sacrifices are parallel to the palace kitchen, the table and menorah represent the inner rooms of the palace, while the inner sanctum with the ark is comparable to the king's own bedroom.

⁵⁷ This is explicit only regarding the use of half shekels, but could logically extend to the rest of the position.