שמות, פרק מ׳, פסוק כ״א

The placement of the Ark and its concealment from public view marks the absolute climax in the construction of the Tabernacle. In this pivotal moment, Moses brings the Ark inward. This sacred chest already contains the tablets of testimony, with its cover and the cherubim resting securely on top [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

To isolate the Ark from the rest of the Tabernacle, Moses establishes a dividing boundary. He does not merely position a curtain; rather, he releases it from its upper hanging point, allowing the fabric to unroll and drop downward into place [העמק דבר]. This barrier is crafted from thick, coarse material to serve a dual purpose. On one hand, it functions as a spiritual divider, distinctly separating the Holy section from the Holy of Holies. At the same time, it acts as a physical screen designed to protect the inner sanctuary from any dust kicked up by the priests as they perform their regular duties in the main hall [הכתב והקבלה].

While the screen is meant to shield the Ark, the fabric is not draped physically on top of the chest itself. Instead, it is suspended directly in front of it, serving as a vertical partition that fully separates the Ark from the rest of the Tent of Meeting [ביאור יש״ר]. This entire sequence is carried out with absolute precision. Every step is executed exactly in accordance with the detailed Divine instructions, ensuring that the final setup perfectly matches what God commanded [העמק דבר].