שמות, פרק כ״ז, פסוק י״ט

Building a temporary sanctuary in the harsh desert environment required more than just magnificent sacred vessels. It demanded practical logistical equipment, sturdy work tools, and reliable structural supports to ensure the building could withstand severe weather. The final instructions for the Tabernacle complete a harmonious, symmetrical architectural design based on highly precise measurements [קאסוטו].

The focus shifts from the holy items used in worship to the technical tools necessary for maintaining, assembling, and dismantling the structure [רש״י, ספורנו, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The primary approach among commentators is that these included everyday work tools such as hammers, mallets, anvils, knives, and saws, which were essential for tasks like driving pillars and securing the camp [אבן עזרא, ספורנו, שפתי חכמים, קאסוטו]. To distinguish these functional items from the inner sacred vessels crafted from gold, the work tools were made entirely of copper [מזרחי]. Some suggest this specific requirement of copper also ensured that no iron was used anywhere in the construction [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

A critical component of this copper infrastructure was the anchoring system, consisting of heavy bolts or pegs [רש״י, שפתי חכמים]. The massive curtains and hangings surrounding the tent and the courtyard posed a significant structural risk. In a severe storm, these large fabrics could easily act like sails, catching the wind with enough force to blow away the coverings or even uproot and move the entire structure [רשב״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ, בכור שור].

To secure the sanctuary, these pegs were tied to the bottom edges of the curtains using cords. While one might wonder if the sheer weight of the heavy copper pegs alone was enough to hold the fabrics down without being planted, the accepted conclusion is that they were driven firmly into the earth [רש״י]. Some suggest these anchors were strategically positioned at the midpoint between each pillar, targeting the areas where the fabric was loosest and most likely to catch the wind [ביאור יש״ר]. Beyond simply protecting the structure from desert storms, anchoring the cords tightly to the ground served another vital architectural purpose. It kept the massive curtains taut and straight. Without this firm outward tension, the immense weight of the fabric would have caused the walls to sag inward, significantly reducing the interior space of the Tabernacle [חזקוני].