Rashi explains that they had the form of the face of a child. The Holy Ark which contained the Torah, symbolized the importance of the proper attitudes necessary for the study of Torah. The faces of the Keruvim which were placed above the Ark had the form of children. There are various lessons to be derived from this. Rabbi Yosef Ber Soloveitchik Zt”l inferred that educating children is the foundation for the Divine Presence to dwell among us, since children are the guardians of the Torah, and therefore the security of maintaining the Jewish people as an eternal nation. Rabbi Reuven Margalios Zt”l viewed the proximity of their being above the Ark as an emphasis of educating one’s children as taking precedence over one’s personal educational development.
The Alter of Kelm Zt”l viewed the facial form of the Keruvim as a lesson in one’s necessary attitude to Torah study. Even one who is thoroughly versed in the Torah should approach its study as a young child, with an unquenchable thirst to study even more, to reach greater depths of knowledge and erudition. One must seek to enhance his studies and not view himself as having achieved an end to his studies. One does not graduate in Torah studies. With the realization of one goal, there is a greater demand for the accomplishment of yet another goal.
In the event of a shortage of gold for the construction of the various vessels, it was permitted to use silver, except in regard to the Kruvim, which could only be formed from gold (Mechilta). Rabbi Meir Shapiro Zt”l noted that the Kruvim symbolize the education of Jewish children in Torah and mitzvos. To build Torah institutions for the education of our children and the perpetuation of our people, there can be no substitute; only pure gold can be used. One cannot economize and be frugal at the expense of educating our children properly.
