“The Tabernacle” – that is what is written: “How goodly are your tents, Jacob, [your dwellings [mishkenotekha], Israel]” (Numbers 24:5). “How goodly are your tents, Jacob” – this is the Tent of Meeting that was in the wilderness, in Shilo, and in Nov and Givon. “Mishkenotekha, Israel” – do not read “mishkenotekha,” but rather “mashkenotekha Israel,” as the Tabernacle and the Temple were mortgaged by Israel when they sinned.47Mashkenotekha means, “your mortgage.”
The midrash states that it is as though Israel put up the Tabernacle and the Temple as collateral. It can be taken from them if they do not fulfill their obligations. The Tabernacle, from where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “He abandoned the Tabernacle at Shilo; the tent He pitched [shiken] among men [adam]” (Psalms 78:60) – it was mortgaged [shenitmashken] by means of Israel, who are called adam: “The sheep of My pasture, you are adam” (Ezekiel 34:31).
The temple, from where is it derived? “He poured out His enflamed wrath. He kindled a fire in Zion” (Lamentations 4:11), and it says: “We have done injury to You [ḥavol ḥavalnu]” (Nehemiah 1:7). This is the first Temple, just as it says: “If you take your neighbor’s garment as collateral [ḥavol taḥbol]” (Exodus 22:25); that is why it is called mishkan.
This is what the Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: Say to Israel that they should craft Me a mishkan, as if they sin, it will be mortgaged by them.