Tetzave

In this week’s Parsha, after explaining the laws of priestly garments and sacrifices brought in to the Mishkan, the pasuk states: “It shall be a continual burnt offering for your generations, at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting before the Lord, where I will arrange meetings with you, to speak to you there.” (29:42)

Rashi brings two different opinions as to the exact location of the meetings between HKB”H and Moshe. Some of the Rabbis say it was from above the Alter of Copper that HKB”H spoke to Moshe. Other Rabbis say it was from above the Kaporet (the Curtain, between the two Keruvim that are on the ark of the Testimonial tablets).

Our Rabbis tell us, in any case of disagreement between the Rabbis of the Talmud, both opinions are the words of the Living G-D and valid. The well-known question is, how could both opinions be true and valid?

The Talmud in Tractates Zevachim and Menachot tell us, the Mishkan (the temporary Bais Hamikdash in the desert) had holiness, but there was a difference between the holiness of the different objects in the Mishkan. One such example was the holiness of the Alter of Copper and the Kaporet. At the time Jews had to dismantle the Mishkan to start traveling in the desert, the holiness of the Alter of Copper was removed from it, whereas by the Kaporet the holiness remained. If so, the holiness of the Alter of Copper is not permanent, only temporary, as opposed to the holiness of the Kaporet which was permanent.

According to each vessel's level of holiness, was it’s preparedness to host different types of meetings and prophecies between HKB”H and Moshe. The Alter of Copper which had temporary holiness was specifically prepared to host prophecies that were given for the time of Moshe Rabbeinu's generation. However, the Kaporet which had permanent holiness was designated to host prophecies that were given to Moshe for future generations.

We see with some contemplation how we can resolve a seeming contradiction in the words of our holy Rabbis. Both the Alter of Copper and the Kaporet were the meeting places between HKB”H and Moshe Rabbeinu. Each one, for a different type of meeting and prophecy.