The Sanhedrin as Israel's Navel at the Center of the Temple

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Ki Tisa 1:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"When you take up (lift the head of) the sum of the Children of Israel," and so forth (Exodus 30:12). This is what Scripture says: "Your navel is a round goblet that lacks not the mixed wine" (Song of Songs 7:3 [7:2]). It speaks of the Sanhedrin of Israel, which was set in the middle of the Temple, in the Chamber of Hewn Stone, which is likened to a navel. Just as this navel is set in the middle of the body, so was the Sanhedrin of Israel set in the middle of the Temple.

Themes

TempleAuthorityMusicAdam EveWisdom

Biblical References

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