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It seems peculiar that the Torah twice refers to the copper altar, which was situated outside of the “Heichal,” as “kodesh kodoshim.” This is in contrast to the altar of incense , which was placed opposite the Aron Hakodesh and is described merely as “kodesh.” Horav Moshe Feinstein, z.l., suggests the following homiletic interpretation. The placement of the altars, inside or outside, symbolizes the Torah scholar when he is inside or outside of the Bais Hamidrash. A Torah scholar should be cognizant that while he is “holy” in the Bais Hamidrash, he must be “doubly holy” when he leaves this…

The Kohanim were obliged to tend the lights of the seven-branched Menorah every morning and evening. The Kohain in charge was to kindle the seven wicks in the following order: working from the last light on the right side toward the center, and then working from the last light on the left side toward the center. The Sforno explains this procedure as intending to convey the central point of unity to which all Jews, no matter what their position – whether to the right or to the left – must convene and rally. In Parashas Beha’alosecha he explains that the…