Musar su Cantico dei cantici 4:4

Before explaining the meaning of the "arks," let me mention a comment by the Zohar on Proverbs 18,10: 13 מגדל עוז שם ה' בו ירוץ צדיק ונשגב, "The name of the Lord is a tower of strength; the righteous runs towards it and is elevated." The "tower" is a reference to the ark, the "righteous" is a reference to Noach. While on the subject, I shall also explain the difference between the word Migdol in Samuel II 22,51, and the alternate reading of the same word as Magdil both in Samuel and in Psalms 18,51. We are in the habit of reciting this verse at the end of saying Grace, and our sages suggested that on weekdays we should recite the version Magdil, whereas on Sabbaths and New Moons we should recite the spelling Migdol. There is a further third spelling, Migdal David in Song of Songs 4,4 כמגדיל דויד צוארך, בנוי לתלפיות, "Your neck is the Tower of David, built as a landmark."

It is worth remembering that whereas angels are considered spiritually stationary, man is equipped to advance from one spiritual level to another, level by level. Zachariah 3,7 describes the High Priest Joshua as one who is able to move amongst the angels who are described as merely מהלכים, stationary. If someone progresses faster than normal he is called רץ, running, and attains a station no one else can reach. All others can be viewed as מהלכים, stationary when compared to the runner. Proverbs then views such a צדיק as superior to the angels. G–d hinted to Noach that this would be his real task in building the ark. The ark was to be as much a spiritual sanctuary as a physical sanctuary. The צוהר, window, Noach was instructed to place in the ark was a hint that Noach should ascend "from the bottom up” as it were-spiritually. Alas, Noach failed in mastering that challenge.

In the case of David we find the reverse process. David, who always tried to involve G–d in all that goes on here on earth, tried to build a sanctuary to provide G–d with a permanent abode here on earth, and thereby to reverse any separation between man and G–d. This is the deeper significance of the מגדל דוד … בנוי לתלפיות, "the tower of David built as an ornament" (Song of Songs 4,4). The Temple was the structure that all mankind is meant to turn to as a symbol of G–d's Presence on earth. Despite David's intentions and endeavors, G–d's ultimate Sanctuary has not yet been built on earth; a structure built by humans would not endure. This is what the Psalmist means when he says אם ה' לא יבנה בית שוא עמלו בוניו בו, "if G–d Himself does not build the house, its builders labor in vain with it" (Psalms 127,1).