שמות, פרק כ״ו, פסוק ל״ז

The entrance to the Tent of Meeting was sealed by a large screen spread across dedicated pillars. These pillars effectively formed the fourth wall of the Tabernacle, creating a clear physical boundary between the outer courtyard and the sacred interior. They were crafted exclusively to hold the entrance screen [קאסוטו, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. They could not be repurposed from those made for the inner dividing curtain, as that inner curtain held a stricter level of holiness and required a different coating technique [העמק דבר]. The entrance pillars themselves were a full cubit thick. Because of this measurement, they were square and angled rather than perfectly round [מלבי״ם, ביאור יש״ר].

The two outermost pillars stood precisely at the corners of the Tabernacle, flush against the wall boards. Because the pillars were quite thick and the entrance space was relatively narrow, the distance between them could not be perfectly even. At least one gap had to be left wider than the rest to allow large sacred items, like the Ark and the Table, to be carried inside [מלבי״ם, ביאור יש״ר]. In fact, the overall tight spacing of the pillars was a deliberate design meant to secure the Ark safely inside and prevent it from being easily removed. On the rare occasions when the Ark did need to be brought out, such as during the crossing of the Jordan River, the screen would be lifted entirely and the middle pillars removed. This temporary dismantling created a grand, festive opening suitable for such a momentous event [קאסוטו].

At the top of the pillars, hooks supported a pole from which the screen hung. This pole extended all the way to the edges of the wall boards on either side, bracing them to prevent any inward leaning. It was likely tied down firmly to ensure the wind would not blow the screen away [קאסוטו, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. While there are differing opinions on whether the hooks and the screen were positioned on the inner or outer face of the pillars, there is agreement regarding the corner pillars. Because their outer faces were pressed directly against the wall boards, the hooks on these corner pillars had to face inward toward the open space of the entrance [מלבי״ם].

The bases of these pillars were specifically cast from copper [קאסוטו]. They had to be poured and shaped exclusively for the entrance screen. Standard bases from the general courtyard inventory could not be used, as the entrance screen possessed a higher degree of holiness due to the blue threads woven into it [העמק דבר]. Yet, despite this elevated holiness, the bases were made of copper rather than the silver used for the rest of the Tabernacle's foundation. This material choice reflected the screen's unique role as the divider between the sanctuary and the courtyard. By bordering the outer area, the screen partially belonged to the courtyard, where all the vessels and fixtures were appropriately made of copper [קאסוטו].