Lessons of the Ark

Make an ark of acacia wood, two and a half cubits long, two and a half cubits wide, and one and a half cubits high. Cover it with a layer of pure gold on the inside and outside, and make a gold rim all around its top.                                   Exodus 25:10

Ba’al haTurim notes that all the measurements of the ark are in half-amot. There is a symbolic lesson: even one who is engaged in Torah study must understand and appreciate that his own study of Torah is insufficient, it is incumbent to teach others and to fulfill mitzvot as well. The further lesson is that no matter how much one delves into Torah study, he cannot achieve perfect knowledge, since the Torah’s source is the Divine intellect.

The verse instructs that the ark be covered with pure gold, but omits the word “pure” concerning covering the poles. [Exodus 25:11-15] The lesson is that those who hold the Torah, the sages of the generation must be pure, and engage in the study of Torah for its own sake. However, those who support Torah, even if they do so out of selfish motivation and not for the sake of Torah, nonetheless, they remain Torah supporters.