Why does Hashem send the Shechinah with us to guide us on our way to Canaan? The way must be known clearly so in that sense you would not need a guide. However Hashem has a specific plan to conquer the areas that Israel passes through since there will most certainly be resistance.
This resistance will be as much within Israel itself as it will also be between the outside forces that they will encounter. In both these circumstances the timing of their steps will determine what battles they will fight both within and without. Hashem guides our steps in all things coming from that place deeply within
Shemos: 25:20. The cherubim shall have their wings spread upwards, shielding the ark cover with their wings, with their faces toward one another; [turned] toward the ark cover shall be the faces of the cherubim.
The cherubim with their wings spread upwards represent our thoughts that are continuously seeking Hashem. They are turned towards each other signifying how like thoughts bond together partaking of each other. The orientation towards the ark cover shows how we are awakened to Hashem’s presence within described further like this:
Shemos: 25: 21. And you shall place the ark cover on the ark from above, and into the ark you shall place the testimony, which I will give you.
The testimony is the Torah notably the stone tablets but it also represents what is deepest within both inside of the mysteries of Torah and as a part of your innermost being. It is from there that Hashem speaks to you. The ark cover and the ark refer to a mystical place between this world and the world to come where our connection to Hashem is like an open door.
This testimony is called ADooT in Hebrew (spelled Ayin Dalet Tav). We may then take this word rearrange the letters to form Daat (Dalet Ayin Tav) meaning knowledge part of the triad of Chokmah, Binah and Daat (Chabad) or what are known as the intellectual sephiroth on the Tree of Life.
Chokmah or wisdom represents the original idea that comes in as a flash of inspiration, then as we start thinking about the idea we come to Binah or understanding (the becoming of the idea). Finally we come to Daas, which is the idea as it is set in motion (the idea becomes that unto which it was envisioned).
How does this related to Testimony ADooT? The Torah that is given to us must be studied in this same way in order to make that connection within. We have to envision each phrase as it comes into being and then think about it until we have the deeper inner meaning from it and apply it to our lives.
Shemos: 25: 22. I will arrange My meetings with you there, and I will speak with you from atop the ark cover from between the two cherubim that are upon the Ark of the Testimony, all that I will command you unto the children of Israel.
It is then from this place of deepest meaning, of ultimate discovery that Hashem speaks to the children of Israel. It is therefore within this framework of holiness represented by the cherubim that all of meetings with Hashem inside the Mishkan take place.
The cherubs are said to be manifestations of Abba and Ima, which are like Z’eir Anpin and Nukva except that they never, ever part. Abba refers to Chokmah and Ima to Binah. Zeir Anpin describes the six sephiroth that follow Chesed, Gevurah, Tiphereth, Netzach, Hod and Yesod.
More on this next time…
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