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Why is the Menorah, which the Midrash calls the highest spiritual level, placed outside the Holy of Holies while the Aron sits inside? Following Rav Chaim Volozhin, the Aron's gold-wood-gold construction represents our post-sin reality where neshamah and guf are in conflict. The Menorah's solid gold represents the pre-sin state of spiritual unity, positioned in the outer Temple to show this level remains achievable through teshuvah.
The shiur begins with the famous Ramban (רמב"ן) on Parashat Balak addressing Rashi (רש"י)'s commentary about Aharon's disappointment that Shevet Levi didn't participate in the Chanukat HaMizbeach dedication. Hashem (ה׳) consoled Aharon saying 'shelcha gedolah mishelachem' - yours is greater than theirs, referring to hadlakat haMenorah (lighting the Menorah). The Ramban questions why specifically the Menorah was chosen over other special Temple services like the Ketoret or Yom Kippur service in the Holy of Holies. The Ramban explains that the Midrash refers to the future miracle of Chanukah (חנוכה) through the Chashmonaim (descendants of Aharon), making the lighting eternal unlike other Temple services. However, this doesn't explain Rashi's simpler interpretation referring to the actual Temple Menorah. The shiur then examines a Midrash cited by the Maharal about three crowns (ketarim): Keter Torah (תורה) (Aron Kodesh), Keter Kehunah (Mizbeach haKetoret), and Keter Malchut (Shulchan), with the Menorah representing Keter Shem Tov that surpasses them all. This raises the question: if the Menorah is spiritually higher, why is it placed outside the Kodesh HaKodashim while the Aron is inside? Additionally, why is the Menorah made of solid gold while the Aron contains wood between gold layers?
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Parshas Balak - Rashi and Ramban on Aaron's consolation
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