יחזקאל, פרק י׳, פסוק ג׳

As the events of the Temple's destruction unfold, a dramatic moment of transition takes place. God's presence and glory begin their gradual departure from the sanctuary. Divine judgment is set into motion, even as heavenly beings attempt to hold back the approaching end.

The cherubim, understood as spiritual angels and holy creatures [אברבנאל], take their position on the right side of the building. The primary approach among commentators is that this right side refers to the southern side of the Temple [רש״י, מצודת דוד]. Positioning them in the south is not accidental; it serves as a counterweight, a direct reversal to the abominations that the people had committed on the northern side of the building [רד״ק, אברבנאל]. Another perspective suggests that the location simply refers to the right side of the entrance where people would walk into the building [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Beyond their physical placement, standing on the right symbolizes their role as angels of peace and defenders. They attempt to find merit for the Israelites, hoping to save them from the fire of judgment and the hands of their enemies [מלבי״ם, אברבנאל]. They hold this protective stance just as a man clothed in linen arrives. Representing divine judgment, he steps between the wheels beneath the cherubim to take the fire of destruction [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ, אברבנאל].

Despite the protective efforts of the cherubim, a cloud fills the inner courtyard, identified as the courtyard of the priests [רש״י, מצודת דוד, רד״ק]. The presence of this cloud reflects the exact state of God's glory at that moment, though its meaning is understood in two distinct ways. One approach views the cloud as proof that God's glory has not yet abandoned the sanctuary. As long as His presence remains inside the building itself, the cloud fills the relatively distant inner courtyard [מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ, רד״ק]. A contrasting view sees the cloud in the courtyard as a clear sign that the departure of God's presence has already begun. Just as a cloud filled the building when His presence first entered, the cloud now fills the courtyard as He makes His exit [אברבנאל].