The roof of the Mishkon had several layers of curtains including a tapestry, woven of linen and red, blue, and purple wool. The tapestry had two separate sections, which were attached to each other by a row of hooks. The tapestry was covered by a layer of goat hair, its panels similarly attached with hooks. These two layers covered the top of the structure and hung over the wooden walls of the Mishkon. Additionally, red-dyed ram skin and Tachash skin covered the roof alone. (Rabbi Nechemia taught that these were two separate coverings, and Rabbi Yehuda taught that it was one covering made of both kinds of skins (see RaShi on Shemos 26:14). The Talmud tells us that the Tachash was a now-extinct animal, which had appeared specifically for the purpose of being used to cover the Mishkon).
The walls of the sanctuary were made of thick, gold-plated, acacia-wood beams standing side-by-side to form three sides of a rectangle. The beams were inserted into interlocking silver sockets and were held in place by long, gold-plated, wooden poles. A hanging curtain covered the fourth side.
Makifim: Plural of ‘Makif’ a surrounding, embracing and encompassing element. Like the material tapestries that were surrounding and encompassing all that was inside the sanctuary. Protecting from the outside in. With these Yerios HaShem illuminated with his Divine light in a ‘Makif’ way not permeating just shining from the outside from above albeit concealed without being recognised.
Penimim: Plural of ‘Pnimi’ an inner, internal or core element. Like the Oron, Mizbeiach, Menorah and Shulchon that were inside the sanctuary. They illuminated the Divine light internally. As is detailed in the Tzemach Tzedek’s Derech Mitzvosechoh: The Oron emitted a Divine revelation as the Possuk states: I will arrange my meetings with you there, and I will speak with you from atop the ark cover from between the two Keruvim. On the Mizbeiach a fire used to descend from above. The menorah was witness to all that the Divine presence is with the Jews. And the Bread on the Shulchan remained hot a whole week.
Makif and Pnimi in Avodas HaShem
Similarly, each and every Jewish person’s personal Avodas HaShem, is divided into two types of service: Serving HaShem in matters which are considered to be ‘Penimim’ and serving HaShem in matters that are considered to be ‘Makifim’.
As we see from the Possuk: עֹטֶה אוֹר כַשַלְמָה נוֹטֶה שָׁמַיִם כַיְרִיעָה “You enwrap Yourself with light like a garment; You extend the heavens like a curtain”. ‘Heavens like a curtain’ is a state of ‘Makif’ encompassing from the outside; whereas ‘enwrap Yourself with light’, as light is to illuminate from within, alludes to internal elements.
