Exodus 36:26 - Silver sockets unite boards

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Hebrew Text

וְאַרְבָּעִים אַדְנֵיהֶם כָּסֶף שְׁנֵי אֲדָנִים תַּחַת הַקֶּרֶשׁ הָאֶחָד וּשְׁנֵי אֲדָנִים תַּחַת הַקֶּרֶשׁ הָאֶחָד׃

English Translation

and their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board.

Transliteration

Ve'arba'im adneihem kesef shnei adanim tachat hakeresh ha'echad ushnei adanim tachat hakeresh ha'echad.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאַרְבָּעִ֥ים אַדְנֵיהֶ֖ם כָּ֑סֶף שְׁנֵ֣י אֲדָנִ֗ים תַּ֚חַת הַקֶּ֣רֶשׁ הָאֶחָ֔ד וּשְׁנֵ֣י אֲדָנִ֔ים תַּ֖חַת הַקֶּ֥רֶשׁ הָאֶחָֽד׃

Parasha Commentary

Explanation of the Verse

The verse (Exodus 26:21) describes the silver sockets (adanim) that served as the foundation for the boards (kerashim) of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Each board had two silver sockets, and there were forty sockets in total for the northern and southern sides of the Mishkan.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi (Exodus 26:21) explains that the sockets were made of silver, which was donated by the Israelites as part of the half-shekel census (Exodus 30:11-16). The sockets served as the base for the boards, ensuring the stability of the Mishkan's structure. Rashi emphasizes that the precise measurements and materials were divinely commanded, highlighting the importance of adhering to the exact specifications in the construction of holy vessels.

Symbolism of the Sockets

The Midrash (Tanchuma, Terumah 10) teaches that the silver sockets symbolize the foundation of the Jewish people. Just as the Mishkan rested on these sockets, the Jewish people are sustained by their commitment to Torah and mitzvot. The number forty may also allude to the forty days Moshe spent on Har Sinai receiving the Torah, reinforcing the idea that Torah is the foundation of Jewish life.

Structural Significance

Two Sockets per Board: The two sockets under each board represent the dual foundations of Torah and good deeds (Avot 1:2), which support a person’s spiritual structure.
Silver Material: Silver (kesef) is associated with purity and atonement, as it was used for the half-shekel offering to atone for the Israelites (Exodus 30:15-16).
Forty Sockets: The total number (forty) may correspond to the forty se'ah of water in a mikveh (Eruvin 4b), symbolizing spiritual purification.

Halachic Insights from Rambam

Rambam (Hilchot Beit HaBechirah 1:12-13) derives from the construction of the Mishkan that holy structures must be built with precision and reverence. The sockets' placement teaches that even the hidden foundations of holiness must be treated with care, as they uphold the entire edifice of divine service.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the 'sockets of silver' mentioned in Exodus 36:26?
A: The 'sockets of silver' (adnei kesef) were the foundation bases made of silver that supported the wooden boards (kerashim) of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Each board had two sockets, providing stability for the structure. Rashi explains that these sockets were hollow to hold the tenons (projections) at the bottom of each board.

Q: Why were there exactly two sockets per board in the Mishkan?
A: The two sockets per board were designed to securely hold the two tenons (protrusions) at the base of each board, as described in Exodus 26:17. This ensured the Mishkan's walls remained sturdy. The Talmud (Shekalim 4:4) discusses how the silver for these sockets was collected from the half-shekel donations of the Israelites.

Q: What is the significance of using silver for the sockets in the Mishkan?
A: Silver (kesef) symbolizes purity and atonement in Jewish tradition. The Midrash (Tanchuma, Ki Tisa 4) teaches that the silver sockets served as a reminder of the atonement for the sin of the golden calf, since the silver was collected through the half-shekel donation commanded after that incident.

Q: How many silver sockets were there in total for the Mishkan?
A: There were 100 silver sockets in total for the Mishkan's walls: 96 sockets for the 48 boards (2 per board) and 4 additional sockets for the pillars of the partition curtain (parochet), as detailed in Exodus 38:27. The verse in Exodus 36:26 refers to a portion of these sockets.

Q: What practical lesson can we learn from the sockets of the Mishkan?
A: Just as the sockets provided a strong foundation for the Mishkan, our spiritual lives require solid foundations—Torah study and mitzvot. The Rambam (Hilchot Beit HaBechirah 1:12) derives from this that proper construction and attention to detail in holy matters reflect our reverence for Hashem's commandments.