Sefer Melakhim: The Book of Kings

By Rav Alex Israel

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Dedicated in memory of both Zissel Bat Yitzchak Gontownik, and Avraham Ben Yosef Halevi Gontownik,
on the occasion of his tenth yahrzeit, by his children, Anne and Jerry Gontownik, and Sidney Gontownik,
and his grandchildren, Ari and Shira, Zev and Daniela, Yonatan, Ranan, Hillel, and Ezra Gontownik.

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Shiur #8: Chapter 8-9 - The Dedication of the Mikdash

This week, we will take a look at the rich depiction of the ceremonial dedication of the Mikdash. This was a fourteen day celebration for the entire nation, "joyful and glad of heart," and attendees hailed from Mesopotamia to Egypt. The festive throngs offered an extraordinary number of korbanot, so numerous that the king had to temporarily sanctify the entire courtyard of the Temple so that it could also be used for sacrificial purposes![1] The story is structured in the following way:

A Narrative: gathering and dedication ceremony (8:1-11)

B Shlomo "blesses the assembly of Israel" 8:12-21

C: Shlomo Ha-Melekh's prayer (8:22-53)

            B Shlomo "blesses the assembly of Israel" (8:55-61)

8: Narrative: dedication ceremony and departure (8:62-9:2)

9:2-9: God's response to Shlomo

PARALLELS

“Then Shlomo gathered… and all the men of Israel were gathered to Shlomo" (8:1-2) This teaches us that the Shekhina does not rest other than upon the entire community. Similarly [at the dedication of the Mishkan in Vayikra 9:24], "And all the people saw," … and at the giving of the Torah it states, "For on the third day God will descend in view of the entire nation" (Shemot 19:11). (Seder Olam ch.15)

This midrash parallels three events: The dedication of the Mishkan, the dedication of the Mikdash, and Matan Torah. What do they have in common? The midrash indicates that the first critical similarity is the collective, national dimension of all three - the mass gathering. Here, at the opening of the Mikdash, the text specifies how the entire nation mobilizes and convenes for this historic event, reminiscent of the experience at Sinai.[2]

A second feature of these three events is the Gilui Shekhina, the tangible and evident presence of God at these foundational moments. It is fascinating that the details of our story in Sefer Melakhim directly mirror those of the Mishkan. Two specific textual parallels stand out.

Let us begin with the scene from our chapter in Sefer Melakhim:

When the kohanim came out of Kodesh,

The cloud filled the House of God.

The kohanim could not remain and perform the service because of the cloud,

for the presence of God filled the entire house of God. (8:10-11)

This is a direct reflection of the pesukim that end the dedication of the Mishkan in Sefer Shemot:

The cloud covered the tent of meeting,

and the presence of God filled the Mishkan.

And Moses could not enter the tent of meeting

because the cloud rested upon it,

and the presence of God filled the Mishkan. (Shemot 40:34-5)

The elements are identical: the cloud fills the Mishkan or Mikdash, indicating that God's intense presence occupies the Mishkan/Mikdash. This results in the restriction of access to those who are meant to enter – Moshe or the kohanim - to perform the service.

The description of Shlomo's inauguration of the Mikdash in Divrei Ha-Yamim highlights and mirrors yet another moment in the Channukat Ha-Mishkan:

When Shlomo completed his prayer,

fire descended from heaven and consumed the burnt offerings and the zevachim

…all the Children of Israel saw as the fire descended… and they bowed with their faces to the ground praising God, "For he is good, for his kindness is eternal." (Divrei Ha-Yamim II 7:1-3)

In the desert, a similar scene unfolded at the dedication of the Mishkan:

Fire came forth from before God

and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar.

And all the people saw, and shouted, and fell on their faces. (Vayikra 9:24)

Clearly, these descriptions aim to demonstrate symmetry between the two occasions, emphasizing the manner in which the presence of God in Shlomo's Mikdash was equivalent to that of the Mishkan.[3]

One further parallel is particularly poignant. On the eighth day, the culmination of the seven-day Mishkan dedication, Aharon blesses the nation immediately after completing the complex order of korbanot:

Aharon lifted up his hands towards the people and he blessed them and descended [from the altar] from performing the sin offering, the burnt offering, and the shelamim. Moshe and Aharon entered the Tent of Meeting; they emerged and blessed the people. (Vayikra 9:22-23)

This feature also finds its reflection in Shlomo’s dedication:

And when Shlomo finished his prayer to God …he arose from before the altar, from kneeling on his knees with his hands outstretched to heaven. He stood and blessed the entire community of Israel… (Melakhim I 8:54-55)

In both stories, we have leaders with hands extended (admittedly with different functions) at the altar, who conclude the ceremony with a blessing to the nation.

Thus far, we have compared the dedication of the Mishkan with that of the Mikdash. But Seder Olam notes that another event must is included in the series of revelational events about which it may be said, "The Shekhina does not rest other than upon the entire community." That experience is the revelation at Sinai, in which there is also a cloud, fire, and God's descent or tangible presence among the community of Israel:[4]

Moshe led the people out of the camp towards God …

Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke, for God had descended upon it in fire …and the mountain trembled …and all the people saw the thunder and lightning and the sound of the shofar … and stood at a distance. (Shemot 19:18; 20:15)

These three foundational national events of collective revelation are grouped together. The Mikdash dedication, then, far from being yet another in a series of royal or national ceremonial events, now finds itself in a far more significant grouping. As we have indicated in a previous shiur,[5] the building of the Mikdash is a national milestone of momentous significance, on par with Matan Torah and the dedication of the Mishkan.[6]

The following two Midreshei Tannaim reflect our two respective points of reference. Both are based on the same phrases in Shir Ha-Shirim 3:11, which refer to Shlomo Ha-Melekh:

"On the day of his wedding” – that is Matan Torah

“On the day of his bliss” – that is the day of the building of the Mikdash.

(Mishna Ta’anit 4:8)

"On the day of his wedding” – that is the seven days of the milu’im[7]

“On the day of his bliss” – that is the day of the building of the Mikdash

(Seder Olam ch.15)

SHLOMO'S PRAYER – HOUSE OF PRAYER

I think that the most striking aspect of Shlomo's prayer relates to the following pesukim:

But will God really reside upon earth? Even the heavens to their uttermost reaches cannot contain You, how much less this House that I have built! Yet turn, O Lord my God, to the prayer and supplication of Your servant, and hear the cry and prayer which your servant offers before you this day. May your eyes be open day and night towards this house, towards the place of which you have said, “My name shall abide there,” to listen to the prayer that your servant will pray towards this place. (8:27-29)

Virtually every phrase in this passage is critical, but if we may summarize, we can state the following. First, in Shlomo’s view, God is not contained by the Beit Ha-Mikdash. It is not God's residence. At the very most, it is a place at which "My name shall abide there," a place which REPRESENTS God but does not, in fact, enclose or confine Him.

Thus, we may ask what the point is. If this is NOT God's residence, then how does the Mikdash function? This is Shlomo Ha-Melekh's second point. The Mikdash is, quite simply, a house of prayer. It is the portal through which our prayers find God and through which God hears our prayers. God dwells "in the heavens," but his eyes and ears are focused upon this spot.

Shlomo articulates these principles in the theological preamble to his speech, quoted above. However, in the body of his speech, these emphases are restated in a deliberate and well ordered list, organized by a refrain of sorts, a recursive formula. Here Shlomo presents a sevenfold menu of scenarios which would necessitate prayer. He articulates the appeal by the petitioner followed by God's reaction or response - God hearing Israel's prayers and issuing forgiveness. The section (8:31-53) follows the same frame or pattern tightly:

A - When X happens [a curse/military defeat/drought/plague/the foreigner/going out to war/exile[8]]

B – They offer "prayer and supplication to you in this house."

C – "O hear in your heavenly abode, and take action…"

D – And forgive your people[9]

As we mentioned, the implications of this are significant: That God dwells not in the Mikdash, but "on High," and that the primary function of the Mikdash is prayer.

ALL ISRAEL TURNING THEIR HEARTS TO A SINGLE PLACE

One ramification of this philosophy is the centrality of Yerushalayim and the Mikdash as the conduit for ALL prayer, from near or far. This finds expression even in the Halakha of the orientation of prayer. The gemara discusses the instruction to always pray facing the Mikdash:[10]

If one is standing outside of Israel, a person should focus one's mind (yechaven libo) towards Eretz Yisrael, as it says, “And pray unto You towards their land” (Melakhim I 8:48).

If he stands in Eretz Yisrael, he should focus his mind towards Yerushalayim, as it says, “And they pray unto the Lord, toward the city which You have chosen” (ibid. 44).

If he is standing in Yerushalayim, he should focus his mind towards the Beit Ha-Mikdash, as it says, “If they pray toward this house” (Divrei Ha-Yamim II 6:26).

If he is standing in the Beit Ha-Mikdash, he should focus his mind towards the Holy of Holies, as it says, “If they pray toward this place” (Melakhim I 8:35).

… Consequently, if he is in the east, he should turn his face to the west; if in the west, he should turn his face to the east; if in the south, he should turn his face to the north; if in the north, he should turn his face to the south. In this way, all Israel will be turning their hearts towards one place.

R. Avin and others say R. Avina said: What is the meaning of the verse (Shir Ha-Shirim 4:4), “Your neck is as the tower of David, built like Talpiot?”[11] – It means a hill towards which all mouths turn. (Berakhot 30a)

As you read this piece from the gemara, you will surely notice that all the Biblical quotes, the support texts, have their origin in this inauguration of the Mikdash and in particular, Shlomo Ha-Melekh's speech. When we pray towards Jerusalem, we are invoking the concept articulated by Shlomo. And the result is a beautiful expression of global Unity: "All Israel turning their hearts to one place."

TWO VIEWS OF THE MIKDASH

From a philosophical perspective, it is worthwhile to consider that Shlomo's prayer raises an ancient machloket regarding the role of the Mikdash. Is the Mikdash a place for God or a place for Man? Is it God's resting place on earth, the seat of the Shekhina, or alternatively, merely a facility to give humans the opportunity to approach Hashem? We find this discussion arising with regard to the Mishkan. The Ramban is of the opinion that:

It is befitting a holy nation that there be within their midst a sanctuary so that God's presence may dwell among them… The central focus of the Mishkan - the place of God's presence - is the aron, as it states, “There will I meet you, and I will speak with you from above the kapporet… [all that I will command you concerning the  Children of Israel] (25:21). (Ramban, Introduction to Parashat Teruma)

For the Ramban, God's presence is in residence over the aron in the Mikdash. "They should make me a Mikdash AND I SHALL RESIDE AMONG THEM" (Shemot 25:8). “Mishkan” is from the root SHKH"N, indicative of a habitation, a home.

But Rambam (Maimonides) expresses the purpose of the Mikdash differently:

It is a positive command to make a house for God, facilitating the sacrificial service, and [the nation] celebrates there three times a year, as it states, "You shall make for me a sanctuary" (Shemot 25:1). (Laws of the Temple, Chap 1)

In Maimonides’ perspective, the Mishkan or Mikdash has a different focal point. The main point is not GOD's residence, but OUR SERVICE of Him. For the Rambam, the most central kli of the Mishkan is the mizbe’ach, the altar. For the Ramban, it is the aron. Of course, this argument about Temple furniture expresses a deeper disparity in perspective. The aron is where God resides among Israel; the mizbe’ach is where Israel approaches God. The mizbe’ach is where we bring korbanot; korban is from the root KR"V, drawing near or approaching God. Does the Mikdash represent God's presence or does it facilitate our opportunity to access God?

Taking this further, it is possible that the two names for the Mishkan represent these two perspectives. MISHKAN designates the residence of God; OHEL MOED – Tent of Meeting – indicates that we are invited to meet with God there, to convene with Him. Of course, BOTH approaches are well represented in our Torah and our tradition. The Mishkan as described in Sefer Shemot clearly seeks God's presence as immanent in the Mishkan, whereas Sefer Vayikra focuses upon the korbanot, the sacrifices upon the mizbe’ach.[12]

Interestingly, it was David Ha-Melekh, Shlomo's father, who viewed the Mishkan very much as God's residence:

The king said to the prophet Natan, “Here I am dwelling in a house of cedar, while the ark of God abides in a tent!" (Shmuel II 7:2)

Later, he says:

I wanted to build a resting place for ark of the covenant, for the footstool of God. (Divrei Ha-Yamim I 28:2)

And as we read about Shlomo's keruvim and about the Yam and the mekhonot, we certainly gain the sense that the Mikdash designated as a place of Hashra'at Shekhina, as God's abode. Shlomo affirms this perspective in 8:13, when he says:

I have built a stately house for you, a place where you may dwell forever

And yet, in Shlomo's prayer we hear Shlomo expressing the other side of the coin as well.[13] The dominant feature of the chapter is the service of God, the korbanot, as "King Shlomo and the whole community of Israel… were offering sheep and oxen in abundance that they could not be numbered" (8:5). Furthermore, the sense of the Mikdash in this perek is not a place for God to reside, but a place in which man can sacrifice and pray to even a transcendent God, approach Him, and God will hear and respond:

Even the heavens to their uttermost reaches cannot contain You, how much less this House that I have built! Yet turn, O Lord my God, to the prayer and supplication of Your servant.

THE FOREIGNER

Another striking feature of Shlomo's prayer that we have mentioned in a previous shiur (shiur #5) bears restating here. Shlomo emphasizes the access that the non-Jews may gain to the Mikdash:

If the foreigner who is not of your people Israel comes from a distant land for the sake of your name – for they shall hear about your great name and your mighty hand… (8:41)

Shlomo perceives the Mikdash as open to the non-Jewish world. He believes that many foreigners, gentiles, will hear about God and come to find our more, to pay homage to the Almighty. Shlomo repeats this point later in his prayer:

That ALL the peoples of the world may know that the Lord alone is God, there is no other. (8:60)

Shlomo is surely not alone in this perspective of the Beit Hashem. This universal exposure finds itself in many other prophets as well, especially in relation to the Messianic era:

… As for the foreigners who attach themselves to the Lord to be His servants … and hold fast to My covenant, I will bring them to My holy mountain and let them rejoice in My house of prayer, their burnt offerings and sacrifices shall be welcome on My altar, for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. (Yishayahu 56:6-7)

All the nations… shall make a pilgrimage year by year to bow down to the King, Lord of Hosts, and to observe Sukkot." (Zekharia 14)

But I believe that Shlomo is the first figure in Tanach to have really stated out loud that gentiles are welcome to join us in the service of God.

THE HOUSE OF DAVID

A further prominent component of Shlomo's speech, especially in his preamble (8:12-21) is the special relationship between God and the House of David. Shlomo, goes into the family history, and God's promise that David's son will build the Temple. It is almost as if Shlomo has to justify his legitimacy in instituting a permanent Mikdash. After all, if his father was restricted from building it, why should he be allowed?

We shall deal with this unique relationship in a few weeks from now, when we discuss the dissolution of Shlomo's kingdom in the revolt of Yerovam.

GOD'S RESPONSE (9:1-9) – CONDITIONAL PROMISES

God's response confirms His agreement and consent to Shlomo's requests.

I consecrate this house which you have built.

I set my name there forever.

My eyes and heart shall be ever there. (8:3)

This is quite a statement, indeed, a statement which we believe holds true to the present time.

Nonetheless. God adds a critical caveat, namely that ALL the promises – the royal House of David, the promise of tenure in Eretz Yisrael, the very continued existence of the Beit Ha-Mikdash – are all conditional upon Shlomo's personal dutiful fulfillment of the mitzvot:

If you walk before Me as David your father walked; wholeheartedly and with uprightness, doing all that I command you and keeping my statutes and judgments. (9:4)

The nation too, is warned that diversion from God's commands, and in particular, the worship and following of foreign gods will bring calamity and ruin upon the nation.

On the one hand, this prophetic message is an incredible achievement. God has affirmed his sanctification and approval of the Mikdash!

And yet, we must pay some attention to the manner in which God is communicating with Shlomo. In this prophecy, the volume of threatening verses clearly outweigh the pesukim that commend and affirm God's approval. Moreover, look at the opening verse: "God appeared a second time to Shlomo, as he appeared at Givon." (9:1) what was he told at Givon? At that prophecy (3:5-14) the promises are also predicated upon absolute commitment to Torah:

…If you will walk in My ways and observe My laws and commandments as your father David (3:14)

If we recall that Shlomo received a further warning at the mid-point of his building of the Mikdash (see 6:12 '…if you follow my laws etc.') we now have three explicit warnings to Shlomo as to what may befall him and his nation if he should fail to live in accordance with God's mitzvot.[14]

Why, we wonder, does Shlomo need such mentoring? Is God seeing something that we are not, that gives him cause to warn Shlomo with such regularity?

We shall discover some answers in our upcoming shiur that will discuss the sins of Shlomo, his divine condemnation, and the decline of his kingdom.

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Points for further discussion and thought:

·         Posture and Prayer: Shlomo prays on his knees, with his hands outstretched. This unusual posture may have been standard in ancient times. See also in Yishayahu 1:15 and 45:23. One wonders whether the arms were fully outstretched or just palms extended, as the way in which the Muslims pray.

·         Shlomo in his prayer or speech emphasizes himself and his own role in building the mikdash in a prominent and repetitive manner. Shlomo discusses his own royal House, and the ceremony ends, the people bless Shlomo. Is this to be expected as the position of king necessitates the central and pivotal position of the monarch, or is this excessive?