What do "Yadav" refer to?
Rashi: The Mitzvah of "u'Kshartam l'Os Al Yadecha" v'Hayu l'Totafos Bein Einecha
Rashi (16, according to the metaphor): They are the Luchos, which were given via His right hand, and they are the work of His hands.
Malbim (Melitzah): After describing the creation, how He looked and spoke and made existence (Yesh) come out of nothing, and Yesh from Yesh (He formed matters from existing physical substance), it describes how He conducts existence. Yadav is the power of engaging with and conducting it.
What are "Gelilei Zahav"?
Rashi: They are like wheels of gold.
Rashi (16, according to the metaphor, from Shir ha'Shirim Rabah 5:19) #1: The Dibros in the Luchos "ha'Nechemadim mi'Zahav umi'Paz Rav" (Tehilim 19:11). The Luchos were miraculous; they were of sapphire, and they were Niglalim (rolled).
Rashi (16, according to the metaphor) #2: The Luchos are Megalgelos (cause) good to [come to] the world.
Seforno: They are arm bracelets.
Malbim (Melitzah): Hashem conducts the existence via wheels - the Ma'arachah (Heavenly bodies] that constantly revolve. They are Tehorim and exist permanently 1 , like gold.
Why is gold assumed to be Tahor? And does it exist permanently more than other inanimate substances? (PF)
What is the meaning of "Memula'im ba'Tarshish"?
Rashi: Every expression of a setting of a gem is called Meleis.
Rashi (16, according to the metaphor): They include the 613 Mitzvos.
Seforno: [Tefilin] are filled with the four Parshiyos, "in order that Toras Hashem will be in your mouths" (Shemos 13:9).
Malbim (Melitzah): Angels move the lower spheres. It says about the angels "u'Gviyaso ch'Sarshish" (Daniel 10:6). Hashem's hands have unlimited power, they move what makes others move. Sometimes He moves them based on what the Ma'arachah mandates, and sometimes via His angels (Tarshishim). Also supreme worlds (wheels of the Merkavah, [a class of angels called] Chayos move them - "Ru'ach ha'Chayah ba'Ofanim" (Yechezkel 1:20). They are pictured in the Tarshish [sea] - Techeles resembles the sea, and the sea resembles the Raki'a... (Menachos 43b).
What are "Me'av"?
Seforno: The innards are fixed from Him via Mitzvos of forbidden foods.
Rashi (16, according to the metaphor): This is Toras Kohanim (Sefer Vayikra), which is in the middle of the five Chumashim, just like the innards are in the middle of the body.
Malbim (Melitzah): This is His desire revealed via the Torah. Me'av hint to His mercy and Chemlah (compassion) - "Hamu Me'ai Lo" (Yirmeyah 31:19). Amidst Chemlah He gave to us the Torah to purify us - "Hashem Chafatz Lema'an Tzidko Yagdil Torah v'Yadir" (Yeshayah 42:21).
What is "Eshes Shen [Me'ukefes Sapirim]"?
Rashi: Eshes is like "Shamnu Ashsu" (Yirmeyah 5:28). A thick mass is called Eshes. Shen is an elephant's bone (tusk, i.e. ivory).
Rashi (16, according to the metaphor): It appears smooth, like a tusk. It is arranged with many Dikdukim, Gezeiros Shavos, Binyanei Av and Kalim v'Chomerim.
Seforno: They are clean from any Isur.
Malbim (Melitzah): The source of written Torah is "mi'Tachas Zero'os Olam" (Devarim 33:27), "Mata Hashem Lehispa'er" (Yeshayah 61:3). It is like Eshes Shen - many pieces are connected and become one entity. So the letters, words, verses and Parshiyos are all one Torah. Its inner essence is unformed, like Eshes Shen.
What is the meaning of "Me'ulefes Sapirim"?
Rashi: It is adorned and fixed with sapphire. The Targum of "va'Tis'alaf" (Bereishis 38:14) is va'Itakanas.
Seforno: Via this, the natures of the Nefesh Chiyunis and Nafshis prepared to serve the intellect to receive every Chachmah, Da'as and Ma'ase Livnas ha'Sapir.
Malbim (Melitzah): Sapphire widens the power of sight from one end to the other. So amidst the Torah's tales and clothing (metaphors), its hidden secrets and wonders will be seen via mirrors.
