The Keruvim’s embrace: A divine lesson in love amid punishment

Terumah 2: “And the keruvim on the Ark faced each other.” (Perek 25, Posuk 20)

The Gemara (Bobba Basra 99) points out that this posuk contradicts a different one that states that the keruvim were looking straight ahead. The gemara addresses this contradiction by concluding that both posukim are correct. The position of the keruvim depends on Klal Yisroel. If the Jewish people were acting righteously, they would face each other. If they would stray from the ways of the Torah, they would look away from each other, and just gaze straight ahead. Thus, based on this interpretation, it is clear that the two keruvim represent Hashem and Klal Yisroel.

When the Jews are closely connected to Hashem through their mitzvah observance, then the keruvim that represent this relationship, gaze admiringly at each other. When the opposite is true, they look away from each other in dismay.

Yet another Gemara (Yoma 54) relates that at the height of the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash when the Romans broke into and defiled the Holy of Holies, the Keruvim were found to be in an embrace. According to what we have explained, this is a total anomaly. Obviously, at this point in Jewish history, Hashem is furious with His people! The keruvim should be turned away from each other, perhaps even distancing from each other, certainly not embracing!

We find here a fundamental lesson in parenting. Punishing one’s child should always be a manifestation of parental love, no less than one's hugs and kisses. It is imperative that the child feels that love, particularly when being punished. In the same vein, when Hashem is pleased with his people, having the keruvim look at each other is sufficient. But when He is inflicting the worst imaginable punishment by banishing His beloved nation from His midst, Hashem needs to give them a tight embrace. He needs to assure them that this, too, is a manifestation of His love.

Indeed Hashem is telling his beloved ones “Imo onochi b’tzoro”, “Take My love with you into golus. I am with you in your pain.”

Rabbi Yosef Sorotzkin