דברים, פרק י׳, פסוק ג׳

Preparing to receive the second set of tablets required establishing a physical foundation before returning to Mount Sinai. The narrative presents this preparation briefly, quickly summarizing the actions before expanding on further details [הטור הארוך]. In doing so, Moses altered the sequence of God's original instructions. While God commanded him to carve the stone tablets first and then build a wooden ark, Moses built the ark before carving the stones. This difference highlights two distinct perspectives. God issued the commands based on spiritual priority, placing the sacred tablets first. Moses, however, followed practical logic. He knew the ark needed to be finished beforehand so there would be a secure, ready place to store the tablets the moment they were brought down [ביאור יש״ר].

Although the original command allowed for any type of wood, Moses specifically selected acacia wood out of deep respect for the Torah. This choice also carried a symbolic message, serving as a reminder to the Israelites to avoid following the foolishness and empty pursuits of the world [שפתי כהן]. Furthermore, the wooden ark Moses constructed to God's exact measurements was not merely a temporary container. It remained a permanent fixture for generations, eventually serving as the foundational structure upon which Bezalel added the gold overlay and the sacred cover [מלבי״ם, אבן עזרא].

With the preparations complete, Moses ascended Mount Sinai once again [ביאור שטיינזלץ], making the climb at dawn on Thursday, the twenty-ninth of Av [חזקוני]. As he carried the newly carved stones up the mountain, a distinct physical reality became apparent. When Moses handled the first set of tablets, they rested lightly on his hands. Because they were already inscribed by God, they miraculously carried their own weight. The second set, however, were still blank, heavy slabs of stone. Moses had to grip them tightly with his own physical strength, holding them firmly to ensure they would not fall [שפתי כהן].