Honesty and the Ark

Shavua Tov-

The construction of the Holy Ark carried with it many messages. One of them was to teach that just as the Ark had gold on the inside and out, so, too, one should not be one way on the inside and another on the outside.

This was meant to teach that one should not be אחד בלב ואחד בפה, one way in his heart, and another in his mouth. This was a strong reprimand against fakers and hypocrites. The Ark emphasized honesty.

The Gemara tells the story of Rabban Gamliel whose only requirement to be accepted to his Yeshiva is that each student must be תוכו כברו, his inside must be like his outside. He did not want insincere students.

The enrollment was very low as each perspective תלמיד, feared he would not meet the standards of Rabban Gamliel. There is an opinion that a lock was eventually placed at the entrance to the door.

The explanation of this lock was to test how determined applicants would be to learn Torah. It was known how Hillel climbed on top of a skylight to hear Torah during one of Jerusalem’s rare snow storms.

In Rabban Gamliel’s opinion, if someone would find creative ways to get into the Yeshiva, then it was certain he was sincere and his heart and mouth were the same.

Eventually, these strict requirements were lifted and numerous students joined. The message was clear. We must be honest, consistent, and sincere in all that we do. All of this was learned from the ארון קודש of the Mishkan.