parsha bit: T'rumah

[cellio]

Parshat T'rumah begins the description of how to build the mishkan, the portable sanctuary. The ark is topped by two cheruvim, facing each other. Why do they face each other? The rabbis say that the cheruvim represent the torah itself, which was given on two tablets -- one describing how we relate to God, and the other describing how we relate to each other. The cheruvim face each other to remind us that we have to do both, and that our relationships with other people have to mirror our relationship with God. (attributed to the Malbim)

Comments

Re: Cheruvim

[cellio]

1. What about the no-images?

I believe the short answer is "if God says so, you do it". You might note that the garments worn by the high priest combine linen and wool, which is otherwise forbidden, too. I'm not sure if there is a broader answer.

2. What did the cheruvim look like? Anything in the Talmud about that?

There must be discussions in the talmud, but I'm not finding them on my first few queries. I understand that the depiction of the ark in Raiders of the Lost Ark is generally considered to be accurate, though I can't remember if we see the cheruvim clearly.