The 15 Steps of the Sanctuary — Rav David Menashe | Rav David Menashe zatsal
Course of Rav David Menashe zatsal · Numerical symbolism

The 15 Steps of the Sanctuary

The spiritual staircase to the altar
A teaching of Rav David Menashe zatsal · Éditions Gueoula
Translated from the French original; the French version remains the reference text.
The 15 Steps of the Sanctuary
The spiritual staircase to the altar

After the 15 values in time, speech and matter, the course finds them in space: the 15 steps leading to the altar of the sanctuary.

King David composed 15 psalms beginning with שיר המעלות (Psalms 120 to 134), the tithe of the 150 psalms.

The sanctuary of 500 by 500 cubits is framed by י-ה (15) in the name יצחק רבקה (515), because it was built thanks to Isaac's sacrifice.

These numerical connections are the Rav's, presented as such.

📖 Read the lesson
1 The 15 Values in Space

Just as we saw the 15 values in time, in speech and in matter, we find them in space: at the heart of the sanctuary in Jerusalem.

“According to these 15 values sung by the 15 psalms of the steps, there will be in the sanctuary 15 steps to climb in order to reach the altar.”
2 The 15 Psalms — שיר המעלות

King David composed 15 psalms beginning with the words שיר המעלות, “the Song of the Steps” or “Song of Ascents”: Psalms 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133 and 134, that is, 15 consecutive psalms.

The book of Tehilim has 150 psalms, and 150 = 10 × 15. According to the course, the 15 Shir HaMaalot are the tithe (maaser) of the whole book of Tehilim.

3 The Sanctuary: 500 by 500 Cubits

The sanctuary in Jerusalem had an extent of 500 by 500 cubits. In the name יצחק רבקה (Isaac and Rebecca), 208 + 307 = 515: the letters י-ה (value 15) frame the value 500.

According to the course, this central value 500 represents the sanctuary, because it is thanks to Isaac's sacrifice that the sanctuary was built on that very place.

4 Isaac, the 15 Steps and the Altar

To reach the outer altar where Isaac had been sacrificed, one had to climb 15 steps. On each step a psalm was recited: the 15 psalms from the 120th to the 134th, composed by King David, all beginning with שיר המעלות.

Why this centralization? Because it is thanks to Isaac's supreme sacrifice that the Eternal decided to build His sanctuary in the same place.

“Whoever offers himself wholly to the Eternal, to do His will, will be worthy of having the divine residence within him.”
5 The Many Dimensions of 15

15 psalms (Shir HaMaalot); 15 steps to climb to the altar; 15 monetary values in the sanctuary; 150 psalms in total (10 × 15); י-ה = 15 framing the 500 of the sanctuary.

6 Conclusion: The Spiritual Staircase

According to the course, the 15 steps of the sanctuary are no accident: 15 psalms = 15 steps = י-ה (15). Each step represents a spiritual elevation; one rises progressively toward the sacred, reciting a psalm on each step. The 15 steps correspond to the 15 “brain” elements of creation and lead to the altar where Isaac was sacrificed.

“…there will be in the sanctuary 15 steps to climb to reach the altar, a launching pad for the elevation of all materiality.” (Rav David Menashe zatsal)

Quiz — The 15 Steps of the Sanctuary

Five questions to check

1
Which psalms begin with שיר המעלות, according to the course?
Fifteen consecutive psalms.
2
What relation does the course establish between 15 and 150?
150 = 10 × 15.
3
What is the value of יצחק רבקה in the course?
208 + 307 = 515.
4
Why was the sanctuary built in this place, according to the course?
Isaac's supreme sacrifice.
5
What is done on each step, according to the course?
Psalms 120 to 134.

Result