into which the kohen gadol entered only on Yom Kippur in order to sprinkle the blood of atonement , from the Holy Place , where the other kohanim tended to the menorah , the table of the presence and the altar of incense .
The parokhet was made of blue , purple and scarlet in twisted linen , with cheruvim woven in by a skilled craftsman . The plan also called for a screen [ masak ] for the door into the Holy Place ( 26:36 ) and another screen for the entrance into the white linen walls of the Mishkan ( 27:16 )— each also of blue , purple and crimson scarlet .
Thus the plan for the Tabernacle called for thick curtains separating the innermost sanctum from the inner Holy Place , and additional curtains separating the court with the altar of sacrifice from the community of Israel . Were these curtains designed to keep the holy God apart from sinful common people ? Or were they designed to provoke humans to desire and worship Him ? Were the intimidating cheruvim woven into the curtains barring access to the Holies ( parokhet means “ bar out ”), just as they barred access back into Gan Eden ( Genesis 3:24 )? Or do the Scriptures stir up longing to return to the tree of life within ? Yes , both .
M A R C H 2 0 2 4 • T I K K U N A M E R I C A R E S T O R E | 1 8