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It is prohibited to remove the poles from the holy ark, and anyone who does so is subject to lashes. What is the reason that the Torah requires that the poles for carrying the Ark always remain in their rings, whereas the poles for carrying the Altar and the table are only required to remain in their places when their respective utensils are actually being moved?
Meshech Chochmah explains that the poles for carrying the Aron represent the segment of Klal Yisroel which supports and upholds Torah scholars who are immersed in the study and dissemination of Torah, just as the poles served to carry the ark and the Torah contained in it. It is only fitting that these supporters be totally and constantly associated with their Torah partners.
We examine the issue of removing the poles for transport by R Yitzchak Levy then compare the poles of Tutenkhamun's tomb by Prof Raanan Eichler.