curtains and filters

The Azarah (courtyard) of the Beis Hamikdash had 7 gates. Each of these gates had gold-plated doors (with the exception of the gate of Nikanor whose doors were of copper). These doors were closed each night. Each doorway also had a curtain which would be draped across the gate during the daytime when the doors were open. The purpose of these curtains was for privacy.

There were 6 other curtains in the Beis Hamikdash, including 2 curtains separating the Kodesh and Kodesh Hakodoshim.

In mystical teachings, a veil or curtain represents a restraint on intensity. Just like a curtain are used to filter light, blocking out its intensity and allowing a more tolerable level of light to enter the room, there is a need for ‘curtains’ in the spiritual sense as well.

The Kabbalists explain that the G-dly radiance of the Infinite Light was too powerful to be received by a created reality. And so Hashem veiled His light through a process of Tzimtzumim, contractions, which limited the intensity of the light in order to create finite worlds and be manifest within them.

The open doorways represent how the G-dly revelation that pervaded the Beis Hamikdash shone outwards. The curtains reflect how this light needed to be filtered to allow the wider-world to receive it.   

In our interactions with others, we also need curtains and filters. Sometimes we may be too intense and overwhelm those around us by not give them enough space or consideration. We may come across too strong in our opinions. We may be too blunt and forward, saying things without filtration. Or we may share our emotions too intensely, smothering the other with our love and closeness or pushing them away with our anger or distance.

When our doors are open and we want to share our inner self with others, we need to think about the other with whom we are sharing our ideas and emotions and how we can share them in a way that will be best received. Like the Beis Hamikdash, our open doorways sometimes needs a curtain.

~ Based on Derech Mitzvosecha Mitzvas Milah