Two faces of relationship | Rabbi Yisrael Wende | Beit Midrash

Torah Portion and Tanach
Terumah

קטגוריה משנית

151

The weekly Torah portion Parashat Terumah, describes the construction of the Tabernacle and its vessels. The first vessel described is the ark of the testimony, the ark in which the tablets were placed. This was not just a storing place but had a special cover from pure gold and the two Cherubim (angel-like figures). God spoke to Moses from between the two Cherubim, which raises the question: what do those Cherubim symbolize?

Obviously, it's not possible to encompass the issue in a few words and yet, we will try to highlight a few points.
The Gemara in Sukkah (5, B) says that the meaning of Chruv is a baby. In contrast, the Gemara in Yoma (54, A) sees the Cherubim as male and female. During the three pilgrim holidays, the Cherubim were exposed so all of the people coming to the temple could see them. The Cherubim were embraced in each other with the meaning "see your affection from G-d, like the affection between man and woman".
A baby symbolizes innocence and purity, and an absolute dependence on its mother. Adults have been affected by life and don't have an innocent look, but on the other hand, the relationship between them is mature and reaches to deeper layers, Adults can mark a target for their relationship, give it meaning and so on. In addition, the relationship is between equals, each partner contributes his share.

God spoke to Moses from between the two cherubim. Speech connects between two people, or in this case, between G-d and man. G-d's words came from between what symbolizes our connection – the Cherubim. On the one hand, we are completely dependent upon God. He is the ruler of the whole world and we are merely mortal. A baby cannot exist without a mother and we can't without G-d. On the other hand, G-d has given us the opportunity to be part of a significant relationship. There is reciprocity!
G-d will continue to exist even if Am Yisrael would violate the Torah, but his presence in the world will decrees. Am Yisrael through the Torah and it's commandment or even by living as the chosen nation, shows the world there is a leader. The part of Am Yisrael in this relation is significant and each side contributes his part.
They are two "faces", or view points to the Cherubim, a baby face who is completely dependent on his mother, and a couple with a great affection between them.