The Ark of the Covenant

[flowperson]

Did someone mention brownies ? Juan...you listening ?

flow....

[Dondi]

Originally Posted by bb

you're not being a thicky. the ark is necessary for the Temple to work properly as a channel for the Divine Presence. without it, it's just a rehearsal; it may do a lot of good, but lacks the complete effect.

It occurred to me that since of the Ark of the Covenant is last mentioned in Jeremiah 3:16, and subsequently disappeared from the Temple, how could the Torah be fulfilled by the following descendant High Priests while sacrifices were being made up until the destruction of the Temple. If there was no Ark in the Holy of Holies, then obviously there was no "mercy seat" upon which the High Priest could spinkle blood on the Day of Atonement. So how did this work?

[bananabrain]

i'm pretty sure the high priest just sprinkled the blood on the curtain separating the Holy from the Holy of Holies, rather than on the "mercy seat" itself, as it were. you need to have a look at tractate "yoma" of the mishnah which details the procedure in detail. i suggest the jacob neusner translation, or if you can get hold of an artscroll machzor for yom kippur, the whole thing's in there with the magen avraham commentary after the kol nidrei evening service.

b'shalom

bananabrain

[pohaikawahine]

Originally Posted by I, Brian

Possibly an extremely naive question here - but if a third party claimed to have found the Ark of Covenant, and for all intents and purposes the claim seemed likely to be upheld, then what would the general effect of people of the Jewish faith?

While I appreciate there is diversity, I'm implicitly asking about whether there is a set procedure for dealing with it, and whether its "discovery" would be regarded as portentious, pointless - or even be outright unwelcome?

Would the Ark of Covenant have a role to play in moder-day Judaism, or is it simply a relic of a lost age that belongs in that time only?

Also - if secular authorities had dispensation over the Ark of the Covenant then would that be regarded as ultimately sacreligious? Would there be vehement opposition to it being displayed in a museum as a historical artifact, or is it's value strictly religious only?

Apologies for the questions - justy watched "Raiders of the Lost Ark" last night, and was curious as to the Jewish opinion that might greet a public "discovery".

I keep looking at this thread and thinking about your original question .... it seems to me that the discovery of the ark of the covenant is necessary to enter the promised land and the secret of conquering the land is through spiritual power, not military means or some special expedition .... only its image could be displayed in a museum (a public one) not the actual ark, and it will indeed be a "great discovery" but it will be private and not public .... I pray that the Jewish opinion will be great joy because the Torah holds the keys to its discovery .... these are my thoughts on the question .... he hawai'i au, poh

[bananabrain]

Originally Posted by pohaikawahine

seems to me that the discovery of the ark of the covenant is necessary to enter the promised land and the secret of conquering the land is through spiritual power, not military means or some special expedition

abso-fecking-lutely.

b'shalom

bananabrain