Definitions: Mikdash, Mishkan, Ohel

Question

First: What’s the definition of the term Mikdash? I noticed that the Kehatim, where bearers of the ‘Mikdash’, “they shall bear”, where it is in fact the Ark of the Covenant that is referred to as the ‘Mikdash’.

Second: Whats the definition of the term Mishkan?The “Mishkan” in its more specific sense refers to the bottom layer of curtains: “YOU SHALL MAKE THE MISHKAN OF TEN CURTAINS, fine twisted linen and blue and purple and scarlet, [with] artistic keruvim shall you fashion them (Shemot 26:1)”. In contrast, when it comes to the construction of the boards, we are told: “You shall fashion the boards FOR THE MISHKAN… (Shemot 26:18)”. The boards are FOR the Mishkan, while the curtains themselves are the Mishkan.

And at last: Whats the definition of the term Ohel(when referring to the Sanctuary). “He abandoned the Mishkan of Shilo, the tent (ohel) where He dwelled among people” (Tehillim 78:60). In this verse and in Sefer Vayikra, “ohel” is the general name for the whole building. More specifically, “ohel” refers to the goat skins that were spread over the curtains of the Mishkan: “You shall fashion curtains out of goatskins as a covering (ohel) over the Mishkan; you shall make eleven curtains” (26:7).

I noticed that these terms are somewhat used interchangeably to refer to what we would call ‘The Sanctuary’ while sometimes they are used to refer to specific parts of the same ‘Sanctuary’.

So what exactly is what? And is there a common denomitor between the contrasts given for each case while using the same terminology?

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Answers

  1. The Just Ask! - AskTheRabbi.org Team

    The Mishkan was the entire structure that is called the Tabernacle in English. It was comprised of all curtains and the frame that the curtains were hung on. The Mishkan contained the utensils such as the Menorah, the Table and the Holy Ark. The word Mishkan is a combination of the word kavod (honor) and shachen (dwells) and it alludes to the fact that the Divine Presence dwells in the Tabernacle.
    There are actually two Ohel Moeds that were built. One is the Tabernacle which also known as the Ohel Moed and the second one was built before the Mishkan and, according to the commentaries, it was a temporary structure to be used until the Mishkan was built.

    Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team