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The Ark was the holiest vessel in the Tabernacle, which remained in the Holy of Holies. From the Cherubim, on top of the Ark, God's voice was heard to Moses.

(Exodus; chapter 25, verse 10-11) "They (the Children of Israel) should build an ark of cedar wood... You shall cover it with pure gold on the inside, from the outside you shall cover it."

The Kli Yakar (25:11) infers from the Torah that there were actually three boxes that made up the Ark. A pure gold box on the outside, a cedar wood box in the middle, and a pure gold box on the inside. This is from the double wording in the verse, "you shall cover it with pure gold on the inside, from the outside you shall cover it." The double wording tells us that the coverings shall all be separate.

Why, the Kli Yakar asks, does the Torah explicitly say the inside should be covered in "pure gold" but, on the outside, it only says to cover the Ark?

The Kli Yakar answers that, just as a craftsman designs his product to look great on the outside, it is obvious that the exterior must be at least as beautiful as the interior. It was unnecessary to mention that the outside be made of pure gold.

The Kli Yakar further explains that the Ark was a vessel that represented the beauty of the Torah and those who study it. The beauty of the Torah only exists if the inside is equal to the outside. In the same way, an individual studying Torah must strive to have his actions reflect his inner feelings.

Representing Torah, one needs to lead a genuine life. Actions with ulterior motives and hidden agendas do not represent the true beauty of Torah. Just as the Ark needed to be gold on the outside and gold on the inside, so, too, must a person who strives to be a vessel of Torah.

Rabbi Chaim Lobel is spiritual leader of Young Israel of Aberdeen.
www.yiaberdeen.com