The Cherubs, or כרובים, that were placed on the Aron Kodesh, poses certain questions. The main question was that we were not to have any form of graven images. How was it possible that this was allowed in the Holy of Holies?

Apparently, the reasoning behind this is above our scope of understanding. There were some deep messages to be learned from these childlike angelic images.

They only existed in the first Temple when numerous miraculous events took place daily. The Holy Ark was already hidden at the end of the first Temple period.

The Cherubs became indicators if Hashem was happy with the Jewish people. If all was well, the wings of these angels touched one another. The faces of these figures were opposite one another, as if they were looking at one another.

If we were not following Hashem’s ways, the wings no longer touched and the faces turned away from one another.

This is another proof of how the existence of the Temple was so elevating.

The story is told that when the Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians, they found the Keruvim embracing one another. This was symbolic of two lovers that are being separated and they are saying their final farewell.

It is stories like these that make us realize the great loss we have of not having a Temple. May it come speedily in our day.

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)