[Avodah] length of the aron

[Arie Folger]

RZS wrote:
> 1. The original aron is still wherever Yoshiahu Hamelech hid it.

If that view in the Mishnah & Gemara is correct. Rabban Gamliel had such a 
tradition, and he and his beit din prostrated themselves in 14 places in the 
Beit haMiqdash - including at the Dir ha'Etzim. However, as the Mishnah 
explains (Sheqalim ch. 6) the majority only prostrated themselves in 13 
places. Reish Laqish held like Rabban Gamliel, but Rabbi Eli'ezer the Amora 
held that the aron was exiled, never to be seen again, and thus aligns 
himself with the tanna qama. (sugya on that Mishnah)

Now, the prospect of finding the aron again is, of course, infinitely more 
attractive than having lost it. However, 'Hazal taught us two views; perhaps 
we should treat this as a safeq.
-- 
Arie Folger
http://www.ariefolger.googlepages.com