Where is the Ark of the Covenant? The location of the Ark of the covenant, the more than 3000-year-old Ark that contained the Ten Commandments, that was placed in the innermost chamber of first the tabernacle in the desert, and then the Temple in Jerusalem has been lost since the time of the destruction of the first Temple; its current location is shrouded in mystery. Maimonides quotes the Talmudic tradition that states that the Ark is currently hidden deep within the temple mount in an underground chamber that Solomon himself build to hide the Ark: When Solomon built the Temple, he was aware that it would ultimately be destroyed. [Therefore,] he constructed a chamber, in which the Ark could be entombed below [the Temple building] in deep, maze-like vaults. King Josiah commanded that [the Ark] be entombed in the chamber built by Solomon, as it is said (II Chronicles 35:3): "And he said to the Levites who would teach wisdom to all of Israel: 'Place the Holy Ark in the chamber built by Solomon, the son of David, King of Israel. You will no [longer] carry it on your shoulders. Now, serve the Lord, your God.' (Maimonides, beis Habechirah 4:1) Solomon understood two important truths. Firstly, nothing created by man is permanent; thus the Temple was destined to be destroyed. Secondly, Solomon also realized that the purpose of setback, frustration, and destruction, is not for destruction per se, but rather to enable greater growth. Therefore, built into the design of the Temple, in anticipation of the destruction, was an underground chamber that would allow the structure of the Temple to give way but that would preserve the essence of the Temple underground, symbolizing the perseverance, and eventual rebuilding, of the Temple. The same is true regarding the figurative Temple in the heart of every Jew. We may see destruction when we look at ourselves or our fellow. On the surface, we may see pain, devastation, and failure. We must, however, remember that while the “structure of the temple” was destroyed, the essence of the Temple is intact. Just as the physical Ark of the covenant is preserved in the depths of the temple mountain, the figurative Ark is etched within the subconscious soul, in its most pristine and pure self. Our inner soul preserves the essence of our connection to G-d, and allows us to emerge from the crisis and create an even more wholesome reality. Adapted from the teachings of the Rebbe, Lekutei Sichos 21 Terumah 2
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