The Intricate Choreography of Dedicating the Tabernacle

"And it came to pass on the day that Moses had finished" (Numbers 7:1). "I am come into my garden, my sister, my bride" (Song of Songs 5:1). Rabbi Azariah said in the name of Rabbi Simon: This may be compared to a king who became angry with the queen, drove her out, and expelled her from his palace. After a time he wished to bring her back. She said: Let him renew for me some new thing, and afterward he may bring me back. So too, in former times the Holy One, blessed be He, would receive offerings from above, as it is said, "And the LORD smelled the sweet savor" (Genesis 8:21), but now He receives them from below, "I am come into my garden, my sister, my bride" (Song of Songs). Rabbi Hanina said: The Torah has taught you proper conduct, that the bridegroom should not enter the bridal chamber until the bride gives him permission, "Let my beloved come into his garden" (Song of Songs 4:16), and afterward, "I am come into my garden." Rabbi Tanhum the son-in-law of Rabbi Eleazar ben Avina said in the name of Rabbi Simeon ben Yosni: It is not written here "I am come into a garden," but "I am come into my garden," into my bridal canopy, to the place where its root was at the beginning. The root of the Divine Presence was among those below, and this is what is written, "And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden" (Genesis 3:8). Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said: It is not written here "walking" (in the simple sense of moving along), but "walking about" [the verb mit-hallekh, in a reflexive form, read as] leaping up and ascending. "And the man and his wife hid themselves" (Genesis 3:8). Rabbi Aivu said: At that moment the stature of Adam, the first man, was cut down and reduced to one hundred cubits. Rabbi Isaac said: It is written, "The righteous shall inherit the land" (Psalms 37:29). And where then are the wicked? They fly in the air. Rather, what is the meaning of "and dwell therein forever" (Psalms 37:29)? They shall cause the Divine Presence to dwell upon the earth. The root of the Divine Presence was at the beginning among those below, and when Adam, the first man, sinned, it withdrew to the first firmament. The generation of Enosh arose and sinned, and it withdrew from the first to the second. The generation of the Flood, and they sinned, and it withdrew from the second to the third. The generation of the Dispersion, and they sinned, from the third to the fourth. The Egyptians in the days of Abraham our father, and they sinned, it withdrew from the fourth to the fifth. The Sodomites, and they sinned, from the fifth to the sixth. The Egyptians in the days of Moses, from the sixth to the seventh. And corresponding to them seven righteous men arose and brought it back down to the earth. Abraham our father arose, was worthy, and brought it down from the seventh to the sixth. Isaac arose, was worthy, and brought it down from the sixth to the fifth. Jacob arose, was worthy, and brought it down from the fifth to the fourth. Levi arose, was worthy, and brought it down from the fourth to the third. Kohath arose, was worthy, and brought it down from the third to the second. Amram arose, was worthy, and brought it down from the second to the first. Moses arose, was worthy, and brought it down to the earth. Therefore it is said, "And it came to pass on the day that Moses had finished" (Numbers 7:1).