The Earthly Sanctuary and Its Limitations

1

Now the first covenant had both regulations for worship and a Holy Place here on earth.

2

A tent was set up, the outer one, which was called the Holy Place; in it were the menorah, the table and the Bread of the Presence.

3

Behind the second parokhet was a tent called the Holiest Place,

4

which had the golden altar for burning incense and the Ark of the Covenant, entirely covered with gold. In the Ark were the gold jar containing the man, Aharon’s rod that sprouted and the stone Tablets of the Covenant;

5

and above it were the k’ruvim representing the Sh’khinah, casting their shadow on the lid of the Ark — but now is not the time to discuss these things in detail.

6

With things so arranged, the cohanim go into the outer tent all the time to discharge their duties;

7

but only the cohen hagadol enters the inner one; and he goes in only once a year, and he must always bring blood, which he offers both for himself and for the sins committed in ignorance by the people.

8

By this arrangement, the Ruach HaKodesh showed that so long as the first Tent had standing, the way into the Holiest Place was still closed.

9

This symbolizes the present age and indicates that the conscience of the person performing the service cannot be brought to the goal by the gifts and sacrifices he offers.

10

For they involve only food and drink and various ceremonial washings — regulations concerning the outward life, imposed until the time for God to reshape the whole structure.

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