Monument Reminding of the Arrival of the Ark in Kiryat Yearim
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Question
Recently, a proposal was made in the settlement of Kiryat Yearim to place a monument at the entrance square of the settlement resembling the Ark of the Covenant (since the Ark was returned by the Philistine lords to the people of Israel and placed in biblical Kiryat Yearim until King David brought it to Jerusalem). However, there arose a concern that placing a model of the Ark (which is not an exact replica, so there seems to be no problem of 'do not make with me') at the entrance square is a worthy act as it reminds of the sin of Israel, due to which the Ark was captured and moved from place to place until it was placed in the Temple. A. Is there a problem with reminding of the sins of Israel, and what is the source? B. Does such an act of placing a model of the Ark at the square fall under this problem and why?
Answer
Greetings
In the teachings of our Sages, we find the concept that there should be nothing that reminds of a sin. As brought in the sources.
This is only when something is done that directly recalls the sin itself, such as making a golden calf in the Temple or golden garments, which were part of the sin of the calf.
However, we do not find that there is a problem with reminding of the salvation after the sin, fearing that the sin will be recalled because of it.
On the contrary. We find that the children of Israel made a memorial for the thirteen breaches made in the Temple wall by the Romans, and for the altar desecrated by the Romans, even though the desecration of the Temple and the altar was a punishment for the sin of the children of Israel. But the victory over them was a miracle, and they made a memorial for the miracle.
It can also be proven from the fact that for many years the copper serpent made by Moses existed in Israel with honor. Until Israel turned it into idolatry, and then King Hezekiah hid it. Although the serpent was made to atone for the sin of the children of Israel who spoke slander against the Lord and Moses. But the serpent itself was intended to heal and save, and therefore was not considered a reminder of the sin but of the miracle.
Source
1 Samuel 7:1
And the men of Kiryat Yearim came and took the Ark of the Lord and brought it to the house of Abinadab on the hill, and they consecrated Eleazar, his son, to guard the Ark of the Lord.
Rosh Hashanah 26.
Why does the High Priest not enter in golden garments into the Holy of Holies to perform the service, because the accuser cannot become the defender.
For this reason, Ulla holds that the sages do not allow blowing a cow's horn, so as not to remind of the sin of the calf.
Mishnah Middot 2:3
Inside it was a fence ten handbreadths high, and there were thirteen breaches there that the kings of Greece made, they returned and fenced them and decreed against them thirteen prostrations.
Mishnah Middot 1:6
Northeastern corner, in it the Hasmoneans hid the stones of the altar that the kings of Greece defiled.
Pesachim 4:9
He broke the copper serpent, and they acknowledged him.
Tiferet Yisrael there: that they erred in making it an idol.