בפניו הוה והא רחוק ממנו שלש פרסאות קאמר וליטעמיך שמו ושם אביו למה אלא שלא תאמר משל היה
Now, in connection with this incident Rabbah B'Bar Hana related in the name of R'Johanan: That disciple's name was Judah B'Goria and he was three parasangs distant from his Master?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' When he gave the legal decision mentioned; which shows that the penalty of death is incurred even where a decision is given in the Master's absence. An objection against Raba's last cited statement.');"><sup>32</sup></span> - He was in his presence.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' At the time he gave the legal decision. The distance of three parasangs mentioned referred only to that of the disciple's usual place of residence from the residence of his Master.');"><sup>33</sup></span> But was it not stated that 'he was three parasangs distant'?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' If the distance had no connection with the place where the decision was given what was the point in mentioning it at all? h,kvz kvz');"><sup>34</sup></span>
Shenei Luchot HaBerit
Our sages conveyed the same message when they explained that although the sacrifices on the Altar were consumed by Heavenly fire, yet the priests had to prepare the fire on the Altar on an ongoing basis. When man prepares the fire, G–d's fire will descend and consume the offerings, a sign of goodwill from G–d. The fire on earth "awakens" the Heavenly fire (Eyruvin 63). This is a rule which applied to everything in the Sanctuary with the exception of the Table and the Candlestick. The Candlestick with its seven lamps alludes to the ongoing existence of the universe which was created in seven days and alludes to the super-natural light that the universe was bathed in during those days and until Adam's sin. The Table teaches that G–d provides bread for all creatures, for His kindness is everlasting. The Table was not placed in the location which we would have expected in order to show that G–d neither needs our light nor our bread. What this means is that whereas in spiritual matters man must make the first move to come closer to G–d, G–d will make the first move when it comes to providing our physical needs such as food and light. We see that G–d continues to provide the universe and its creatures with its needs even though the Sanctuary is in ruins. We acknowledge this daily when we say grace after our meals. This is what the sages meant when they quoted G–d as saying: "I do not need the terrestrial Sanctuary either to enable light to be dispensed from Heaven or for food to be provided by My grace. If G–d nonetheless commanded the construction of a Candlestick and a Table, and commanded how they were to function, this was to attest that G–d's שכינה rested over Israel. It was an an assurance that even if there no longer were a Sanctuary this would not mean that G–d would withdraw His Presence, as we know from השוכן אתם בתוך טומאותם, "Who dwells amongst them in their state of defilement" (Lev. 16,16).
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