The Holy Temple in Jerusalem had just been destroyed. To add insult to injury, the marauders were parading about the city, holding the Ark with the cherubs high above their heads and proclaiming, “Look at these hypocritical Jews! They tell us not to worship idols. Meanwhile, in their Holy of Holies we found this idol!”
One can only imagine the shame felt by our ancestors at that harrowing moment. Our enemies had destroyed our national pride not only physically but also emotionally. But,indeed, how was it possible that God could command us to create and maintain a golden idol in His sanctuary?
***
Today’s daf details certain standard measurements for property transactions, using the Torah’s measurements for the Holy Temple as a fixed comparison. Amidst the discussion, the Gemara examines the positioning of the cherubs in the Holy of Holies.
אָמַר רַבְנַאי אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: כְּרוּבִים – בְּנֵס הֵן עוֹמְדִין, כֵּיצַד הֵן עוֹמְדִין? רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן וְרַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר; חַד אָמַר: פְּנֵיהֶם אִישׁ אֶל אָחִיו, וְחַד אָמַר: פְּנֵיהֶם לַבַּיִת. וּלְמַאן דְּאָמַר פְּנֵיהֶם אִישׁ אֶל אָחִיו, הָא כְּתִיב: ״וּפְנֵיהֶם לַבַּיִת״! לָא קַשְׁיָא; כָּאן בִּזְמַן שֶׁיִּשְׂרָאֵל עוֹשִׂין רְצוֹנוֹ שֶׁל מָקוֹם, כָּאן בִּזְמַן שֶׁאֵין יִשְׂרָאֵל עוֹשִׂין רְצוֹנוֹ שֶׁל מָקוֹם.
Ravnai quoted Shmuel: The cherubs stood miraculously. How were they standing? Rabbi Yochanan and Rabbi Elazar, one says: Their faces were turned toward one another. And one says: Their faces were toward the Temple (i.e., the walls, away from one another). But according to the one who says their faces were toward one another, isn’t it written: “And their faces were toward the Temple?” This is not problematic. Here (when they faced each other) was when the Israelite nation does the will of God. There was when the Israelites do not do the will of God.
***
Our Sages reveal an extraordinary nuance about the cherubs that demonstrates why they could not possibly have been idols. How does one worship an idol? You face the idol, and the idol faces you. And you then prostrate yourself before the graven image.
Employing that approach, however, makes worship of the cherubs simply impossible. As our Rabbis explain, the cherubs faced one of two directions. Either they faced one another or they faced away from one another. If they were facing each other, you couldn’t worship them, because wherever you stood, they had their back to you. The alternative scenario occurred when they faced away from one another. So, let’s say, in that situation you wanted to worship them. You approach the cherubs, but now you must choose. Which cherub should you face? Whichever one you opt for, the other will have its back to you. And so, as you prostrate yourself before the chosen cherub, there’s a nagging feeling that something isn’t quite right. This idol you’re worshiping is only partly in sync with you. Half of it has its back to you. At that point, it becomes clear in the mind of the hypothetical worshiper that he has no real connection to the idol. He is only worshiping himself.
That’s what our Sages meant when they declared that when we perform the will of God, i.e., avoid worshiping idols or acting contrary to God’s will, then the cherubs face one another. By definition, when they’re facing one another, there’s no way to worship them. They are the very symbol of our singular devotion to Hashem. By contrast, when we are not in sync with God’s will and we have chosen to “worship idols,” the cherubs themselves demonstrate the futility of such pagan pursuits. Whatever spiritually exhilarating lift you feel you’re enjoying from such “religious” practices is simply not in line with Heaven.
It goes without saying that Hashem wants us to feel happy and fulfilled in our service of Heaven. Ultimately, Torah and mitzvos should produce satisfied human beings, not just in our souls, but even in our minds and bodies too. But if you are predominantly seeking to fulfill your own psychological and personal “spiritual needs,” then you are not worshiping God at all. You’re really only worshiping yourself.
You were sent here on a mission. You were placed on Earth to carry out the will of Hashem. Undoubtedly, God wills your pleasure and enjoyment. He wants you to be happy. He wants to reward you. But the way to achieve the ultimate reward is by aligning your will with God’s will and always asking yourself, first and foremost: What does God want me to do right here right now?
Raban Gamliel[1] teaches, “Nullify your will before His will and He will nullify the will of others before your will.” When you commit to fulfilling the will of God with no self-serving motive, then everything else will fall into place. All the pieces of the puzzle that you need to carry out Your Divine mission will come together. God will direct the right people into your life. Those people will help you achieve a life that is both spiritually and emotionally fulfilling. May you forever nullify your will before the Divine will and may your life overflow with Heaven’s bounty!
[1] Pirkei Avos 2:4
Rabbi Dr. Daniel Friedman is the author of The Transformative Daf book series. He battles Christian antisemitism and teaches International Relations at Landers.
