QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why is There a Curtain Covering the Ark in my Synagogue?

Question of the Week Dedicate an email Why is There a Curtain Covering the Ark in my Synagogue? Tammuz 29, 5772 · July 19, 2012 The parochet on the aron kodesh By Dovid Zaklikowski Print this Page Nachum Gutman/ Yeshiva University Museum Ever wondered why the ark in your synagogue has two coverings – a door and a curtain? The first mention of the concept of the curtain is found in the Talmud.1 Today this curtain is called the parochet (Heb. פרוכת). The ark, known as the aron kodesh (Heb. ארון קודש), is considered one of the holiest components of the synagogue; the actual Torah scrolls which are kept inside the ark are the holiest.2 In the Holy Temple in Jerusalem there was a curtain separating the "Holy" chamber and the "Holy of Holies" chamber. "And you shall place the table3 on the outer side of the dividing curtain…"4 The curtain in the Temple was not used to separate the rooms; there was a stone wall for that.5 The curtain, explains Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki, known as Rashi, was a sign of modesty and respect for the Holy Ark which was kept in the Holy of Holies.6 The same is true for the ark in the synagogue. The Torahs are wrapped in individual coverings, the ark has a door, and we add an extra curtain as a sign of modesty and respect for the holy scrolls.7 Clearly, the custom of covering the ark with a curtain is important and meaningful. Synagogues worldwide have followed this custom for thousands of years. A curtain should always remain outside the ark as a sign of respect for the Torah scrolls inside.8 See the Synagogue Companion. FOOTNOTES 1. The Talmud Megillah 26b and Tosfot, s.v."Meireish." See the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory, Shaarei Halacha Uminhag, vol. 1, p. 198, who notes that the Tosafists and Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki, Rashi, (in s.v. "Tashmish Detashmish") are not arguing about the existence of the curtain. They are debating if the curtain inside the Ark is sacred. 2. See Shulchan Aruch 153:2. 3. Known as the shulchan. 4. Exodus 26:35. 5. When the Ark was in the first Holy Temple there was actually a stone wall separating the rooms. 6. Rashi on the Talmud, Menachot 98a, s.v. "Baparochet." See also the Talmud Ketuvot 106a. 7. Rabbi Israel ben Petachya Isserlin, Terumat Hadashen, vol. 1, response 68. 8. See the Rebbe ibid. Print   |   Post A Comment   |   Read Online   |   By Dovid Zaklikowski    More articles...  |    Dovid Zaklikowski is the director of Lubavitch Archives and is on the editorial staff of Chabad.org. Dovid and his wife Chana Raizel are the proud parents of four: Motti, Meir, Shaina & Moshe Binyomin. Follow Us:   Featured Judaica: Witness to History The text interweaves academic content with personal accounts from a cross-section of eyewitnesses. The book is accompanied by a multi-media DVD, with coverage of Holocaust-era music, art and poetry; an animated timeline and maps; and personal testimonies of survivors and children of survivors. Price: $60.00 SALE: $54.00 More from Chabad.org • Society & Living • Lifecycles • Daily Life • Jewish Holidays • Ideas & Beliefs • Spirituality • Parshah • Audio Classes • Video • Women • News • Kids • Calendar • Daily Study • Find A Center • Donate • Ask the Rabbi • Contact Us • Subscribe Be a Part of it Enjoyed this email? Please help us continue to share the study of Torah and Jewish traditions: Dedicate or sponsor an email to mark a special occasion Make a donation to chabad.org.   Subscription Options: Subscribe to more chabad.org email lists Subscription Management Going on vacation? Unsubscribe Your subscribed email address is: iqlalsmile.cara@blogger.com Change email address. Important Tip: To guarantee that your subscription emails continue to be delivered to you, please add subscriptions@chabad.org to your address book, or "whitelist" it in any filters or antispam programs you may have. © Copyright Chabad.org, all rights reserved.   Privacy Policy