שמות, פרק כ״ו, פסוק ז׳

The construction of the Tabernacle involved careful planning and multiple layers of protection. Above the magnificent inner sanctuary rested a practical yet deeply symbolic outer layer designed to shield the sacred space from the elements.

This protective covering was crafted from goats. The primary approach among commentators is that this refers not to leather hides, but to fabric woven from goat hair [רש״י, ביאור יש״ר], specifically the soft wool found near the roots of the hair [רלב״ג]. However, an alternative perspective questions the use of ordinary goats, as they are sometimes associated with negative spiritual forces or sin offerings. According to this view, the material came from a large, pure animal native to the desert, or perhaps from a miraculous, one-time creation that provided the vast amount of fabric needed for such large sheets [שפתי כהן].

The inner, intricate layer is defined as the Tabernacle itself, while the goat hair layer functioned as its protective tent and roof [רש״י, מזרחי, דברי דוד], since the delicate inner fabrics were not meant to serve as a standalone roof [ספורנו]. While it is generally assumed that these layers rested directly on top of one another, another approach suggests they did not touch at all. Instead, the goat hair sheets were draped over poles, creating a small airspace between the layers. In this arrangement, there were effectively two separate tents, with the upper goat hair tent actually possessing a higher degree of holiness [העמק דבר].

The protective outer layer was larger than the inner sanctuary, consisting of eleven sheets rather than ten, and measuring longer in overall size [רבנו בחיי, מלבי״ם, קאסוטו]. There was both a practical and conceptual reason for this difference. The inner sheets, woven from expensive materials, did not reach all the way to the ground, leaving the bottom of the wooden wall boards exposed. The longer goat hair sheets extended down to cover these exposed areas, shielding the luxurious inner fabrics from dirt and rain. This practical design offers a broader lesson in everyday behavior, teaching that a person should value and protect their beautiful possessions.

The additional eleventh sheet was arranged uniquely. Part of it hung down over the back of the Tabernacle, while the rest was folded over the front entrance. This arrangement gave the structure the appearance of a modest bride gracefully covering her face with a veil [רבנו בחיי, מלבי״ם].