Rabbi Kook on Terumah: Tachash and Erev Rav
Chanan Morrison, 7 February 2003
The Talmud provides an intriguing account of the tachash, the multicolored creature whose beautiful skins were used for the Tabernacle´s outer covering: "The tachash that lived in the time of Moses was a unique species. The sages could not determine whether it was domesticated or wild. It only appeared at that time for Moses, who used it for the Tabernacle; then it was hidden away." (Shabbat, 28)What is the significance of this unique animal? What was its special connection to Moses, that it made its appearance only in his lifetime? Why did Moses incorporate the colorful tachash in the Tabernacle, albeit in its outermost covering?
In Aramaic, the tachash is called sasgona, for it was pleased and proud ("sas") of its many vivid colors ("gona"). The multihued tachash is a metaphor. It represents the desire to include as many talents and gifts as possible - even those that, on their own, might be negative - when building up the nation. This specifically relates to Moses´ decision to allow the "Erev Rav" (the "Mixed Multitudes") join the Jewish people as they left Egypt.
The Erev Rav certainly caused much grief to the Jews of that generation, instigating the sin of the Golden Calf and other rebellions against God in the desert. And their descendants continued to bring many troubles upon Israel in each generation. Nevertheless, the culmination of the End of Days will be blessed by these difficult and diverse forces. All of the troubles and suffering they caused will then be revealed as ultimately for the best, for the absorption of the Erev Rav within Israel will enrich and complement the nation.
One negative impact of the Erev Rav is the many dynamic forces that have abandoned Israel during its long exile among the nations. This is not a true loss, however, since only that which is essentially foreign to the inner spirit of Israel is cast off. These lost elements of the Erev Rav were ultimately incompatible with Knesset Yisrael, the soul of the nation; thus, they were unable to withstand the pressures and demands of Exile. It saddens us to see that which we thought was part of Israel leave us, but, in fact, they were never truly assimilated within the nation.
This phenomenon brings a positive benefit to the world. These ´fallen leaves´ join the other nations, bringing with them much of what they absorbed from the holiness of Israel. As a result, other peoples have become more receptive to the spiritual influence of Israel.
The sages were in doubt as to the ultimate fate of the multi-talented Erev Rav. Would they be truly absorbed within Israel, enriching the people and remaining forever part of us? Or would they only serve as a positive influence on the world, outside the camp of Israel? The sages expressed this doubt by questioning whether the tachash was a domesticated creature. Wild animals cannot be trained and will not permanently join Man´s home. Only indirectly may they be positively influenced by enlightened souls. The domesticated animal, on the other hand, is completely subservient to Man and an integral part of his household. Would the Erev Rav be ultimately rejected, like wild animals, which cannot permanently join Man? Or would they be domesticated and incorporated into the house of Israel?
Just as the tachash only made its appearance in Moses´ time, so, too, this inclusion of foreign talents was only possible in that generation. No other generation could take it upon itself to add alien forces to the nation. Once the Erev Rav have made their contribution, the nation´s restoration requires their purging: "I will purge your dross... and then you will be called the city of righteousness, faithful city." (Isaiah, 1:25-26)
Usually we avoid destructive forces, which may delay the ultimate good from coming. Yet a far-reaching vision can detect the purpose that underlies all human activity, as all actions ultimately fulfill the Divine Will. The great hour of Exodus resonated with the farthest vision and the final Redemption. Moses, "the most faithful of all My house", saw fit to include those varied forces that ordinarily would be rejected. But, like the tachash skins, they were only suitable for the most external covering.
"The new heavens and the new earth which I will make, are standing before Me...." (Isaiah, 66:22)
All of the wonderful forces of the future world - "the new sky and the new earth" - are not really new. They already exist. Even now, they "are standing before Me...." Moses planted these diverse gifts like seeds within the people. Like seeds, they rot in the ground, but ultimately they will sprout and bring forth new life. The brilliant future light, with all of its myriad colors and expansive breadth, is not new, but stored away. This resplendent light is hidden, like the multi-hued tachash, until the time comes for it to be revealed once again.
[Based on Ein Aya III: 105-107]
Use of Tachash Skins in the Tabernacle, from Rav Kook's Website