The Structure of the Tabernacle: Boards, Curtains and the Altar (Tetzaveh)

The boards of the Tabernacle: the support of the sanctuary

(15) “And you shall make boards for the Tabernacle of shittim wood, standing upright.”
The walls of the Tabernacle were formed of upright boards, each ten cubits high. These boards made up the frame of the sanctuary, giving it stability and integrity.

(17) “Two tenons in each board, joining one to another.”
Each board had two tenons, which allowed them to be joined together and gave strength to the whole structure.

(24) “And they shall be coupled together beneath, and likewise joined together at the top into one ring.”
This detail highlights an intricate system of joining in which neighbouring boards were set into a common base below and fastened to a single ring above.

(26) “And you shall make bars of shittim wood.”
The boards of the Tabernacle were reinforced by bars running along the walls. Besides five horizontal bars joining the individual sections, there was one central bar, hidden inside, that passed through the entire structure from end to end.

This central bar symbolises a hidden yet unifying force that runs through the whole of society. It is a metaphor for spiritual unity: each person is connected to those around him, but there is also an inner, invisible thread that binds the whole people into a single whole.

The curtains of the Tabernacle: the boundaries of holiness

(31) “And you shall make a veil of blue, purple and scarlet and fine twisted linen, skilfully worked.”
The veil separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies was the most important boundary in the structure of the sanctuary. Its colours and the woven pattern of cherubim emphasised its sacred character.

(33) “And the veil shall separate for you the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies.”
The Torah distinguishes between two levels of holiness:

• The Holy Place — where God’s presence is revealed through wisdom and well-being, symbolised by the Menorah (the light of knowledge) and the Table (material plenty).
• The Holy of Holies — the level of the highest, transcendent holiness, embodied in the Ark of the Covenant containing the Tablets of Revelation.

The veil with its cherubim is not only a physical barrier but also a symbol of spiritual transition between two worlds: the visible, comprehensible reality and the hidden truth that lies beyond.

(36) “And you shall make a screen for the entrance of the tent of blue, purple and scarlet and fine twisted linen, embroidered work.”
There were two curtains:

1. The outer curtain closed the entrance to the Tabernacle itself, separating it from the courtyard.
2. The inner curtain separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the sanctuary.

Both curtains emphasised the principle of gradually drawing near to the Divine, where each new boundary marked a new level of spiritual purity and awareness.

(35) “And the lampstand opposite the table on the south side of the Tabernacle, and you shall put the table on the north side.”
The Menorah and the Table with the showbread were set opposite each other, symbolising the balance between spiritual enlightenment (the Menorah) and material well-being (the Table).

This arrangement emphasises that religious life should be based neither on asceticism alone nor on material prosperity alone — a harmonious combination of the spiritual and the material is needed.

The altar: a means of drawing near to God

(1) “And you shall make the altar of shittim wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide.”
The altar was the central element of the Temple courtyard, the place where a person could draw near to God by bringing an offering.

(2) “And you shall make its horns on its four corners.”
The four horns at the corners of the altar symbolised the power of prayer and the striving for spiritual ascent.

(3) “And you shall make its pots to take away its ashes, and its shovels, basins, forks and fire pans — all of copper.”
The offering was accompanied by many ritual actions requiring special utensils. The use of copper for these objects points to the strength and durability of a material able to withstand the high heat of the altar fire.

(4) “And you shall make for it a grating, a network of copper.”
The grating was placed halfway up the altar, allowing the offering to burn completely without falling into the ash.

(6) “And you shall make poles for the altar, poles of shittim wood, and overlay them with copper.”
The poles used for carrying the altar emphasise its mobility — it could move together with the people of Israel during their wanderings in the wilderness.

(8) “Hollow with boards you shall make it.”
The altar was made of hollow boards, which made it easier to transport.

The altar symbolised self-sacrifice and purification. The fire consuming the offerings reflected a process of inner transformation: a person brought part of his property as a gift to the Almighty, thereby expressing his devotion and his desire for spiritual renewal.

Conclusion

1. The boards of the Tabernacle are the foundation of the sanctuary’s stability and a symbol of the people’s spiritual unity.
2. The curtains are boundaries of holiness that mark off levels of spiritual awareness.
3. The altar is a means of spiritual purification and of drawing near to God.

Every detail of the Sanctuary carries deep symbolism, expressing the principles of balance between the material and the spiritual, the personal and the communal, the limited and the infinite.