במדבר, פרק ד׳, פסוק ד׳

During the journeys of the Israelites, the family of Kohath is entrusted with a profound responsibility. Their specific role is to carry the most sacred elements of the Tabernacle as the camp moves from place to place.

A central question arises regarding the designation of the Holy of Holies. Ordinarily, this concept refers to the innermost chamber of the standing Tabernacle or to a specific level of holiness assigned to certain sacrifices. However, during travel, the Tabernacle is entirely dismantled. Furthermore, the Kohathites are responsible for carrying items normally stationed in the outer hall and the courtyard, rather than just those kept in the innermost room.

Because of this practical reality, the primary approach among commentators is that the designation does not refer to a physical location. Instead, it describes the objects themselves, pointing to the most sacred vessels. Following this line of thought, this serves as a general rule that is detailed further on, encompassing the Ark, the Table, the Menorah, the altars, the dividing curtain, and all their accompanying service utensils [רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ, גור אריה, משכיל לדוד, ברכת אשר].

In contrast to this broad understanding, a narrower perspective restricts the sacred designation entirely to the Ark of the Covenant, viewing it as the sole object intended [אבן עזרא].

Yet another approach suggests understanding the details as a description of the original locations of the various vessels, indicating that the Kohathites carry items originating from both the Tent of Meeting and the Holy of Holies. In this view, the Table, the Menorah, and the golden altar come from the Tent of Meeting, while the Ark comes from the Holy of Holies. This interpretation sets up the precise order of operations for dismantling the camp. It establishes that the priests must first enter these sacred spaces to properly cover and prepare the vessels, and only after this preparation is complete do the Kohathites step forward to transport them [שד״ל].