Terumah—Paraders of the Lost Ark

with Benny Rapoport

Topics: Parshah, Ark, Terumah

Indiana Jones discovered the Ark of the Covenant. Can we uncover the valuable message in this week’s Parshah?

In our parshah this week, we find the various details of the construction of the Holy Ark. The ark was constructed out of a gold-coated wooden box, and had two gold-covered carrying poles attached to its sides.

What’s surprising is that the Torah then commands that the poles shall never be removed from the ark.

Why not? What is so wrong if the poles were taken out? If the ark was going to be left in one encampment for a lengthy stay, why was it necessary that the poles—which were made to transport the ark—should forever remain attached?

Tune into this week’s Parshah Cast and discover the deeper message in this enigmatic commandment.

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	Rabbi Benny Rapoport is director of Chabad's Jewish Discovery Center in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania. He has lived in the Scranton/Abington area with his wife and family since the fall of 2000.

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Reader Comments
Latest Comments:

Posted: Feb 4, 2011

parsha terumah

Thank you. I am inspired to be ready at any time to give help to others and share the wisdom of Torah.

Posted By Alexandra, haverford, PA

Posted: Feb 2, 2011

ARK OF THE COVENANT

Thank you Rabbi Rapoport for the insightful video. I did not know that the poles were never to be removed. With blessings.

Posted By Maria Martinez, Monte Vista, Colorado

Posted: Jan 31, 2011

Indiana Jones and the Ark of the Covenant

I have been following this story, about the Ark, for many years, even reading that in Axum, Ethiopia, there is this claim the Ark resides in one of their sanctuaries, not Jewish. A story that involves King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. There are many such stories, and one wonders, after all this time, Where Is The Ark?
The mystery, the wonder, and power of the Ark is apocryphal. Perhaps it is, even, in Petra, where Indiana Jones, that story, took place.

I have been to Petra, and the opening to Petra is curiously, called, the Keyhole and it does so resemble a key hole, Now could it be possible, the "key" to this mystery, is in Petra itself? I think there might be some credence to this idea, and I have my personal reasons for saying this.

I deeply believe the Ark will be found in this century and that those making the discovery are so blessed.

I found this discussion of the readiness of the Ark to travel, fascinating and it did ring true. With thanks for a very important discussion.

Posted By ruth housman, marshfield hills, ma

Posted: Feb 5, 2008

thank you for the video

It is sometimes hard to understand oral traditions and these videos help "bring the lesson home". thank you so much and keep them coming

Posted By leslie-oklahoma, oklahoma city, ok,usa