We know the Torah gives us detailed blueprints, measurements, and material lists. But according to some fascinating Jewish legends, Moses got a sneak peek, a divine tour, of something truly spectacular.
Think about it: God summons Moses up Mount Sinai. He’s there for forty days and forty nights, receiving the Torah. But what else happened up there?
Well, according to Legends of the Jews, Ginzberg's masterful compilation of rabbinic lore, God didn't just hand Moses tablets of stone. He gave him a guided tour!
During his extended stay, God showed Moses all seven heavens! Can you imagine? A breathtaking vista of celestial realms unfolding before his very eyes. And more than that, he was shown the celestial temple, the divine blueprint for the Mishkan he was tasked with building back on earth.
But here's where it gets really interesting. The text specifies that God showed Moses the four colors he was to use in the Tabernacle. Now, imagine being presented with colors that are so divinely vibrant, so unlike anything you've ever seen, that you struggle to even grasp them. That's precisely what happened to Moses.
Moses struggled to remember the colors. So, God, in His infinite patience, helped him out. "Turn to the right," God instructed. As Moses turned, he saw a host of angels arrayed in garments the color of the sea. "This," God declared, "is violet." A deep, ocean-like hue.
Then, God directed Moses to turn to the left. And there, he saw angels dressed in red. But not just any red. This was argaman, royal purple, a color associated with kingship and majesty. "This is royal purple," God said.
Next, Moses turned to the rear. He saw angels robed in a color unlike either purple or violet. A unique shade. God identified it as sheni tolaat, crimson. "This color is crimson," God told him.
Finally, Moses turned around fully and saw angels robed in white. Pure, pristine, radiant white. "This," God revealed, "is the color of twisted linen."
This short passage, tucked away within the larger narrative of Moses's time on Sinai, offers a powerful glimpse into the richness of Jewish tradition. It's not just about receiving laws; it's about experiencing the divine, being shown the celestial realm, and understanding the profound symbolism woven into every detail of the Mishkan. It makes us wonder what other secrets and mysteries are hidden within the vast tapestry of Jewish lore, waiting to be discovered. Perhaps, like Moses, we just need to turn our gaze in the right direction.