Around 960, Joseph, Qaghan of the Khazars, wrote a letter explaining how his ancestor, Bulan, received the commission to build a tabernacle: “The angel appeared to him again, and said, ‘My son, the heavens and earth cannot contain me. Nevertheless, my son, build a temple in My name, and I will dwell in it’ . . . The people [were victorious in battle] and sanctified the spoils and used to build the Tent [of Meeting], the Ark, the menorah, the Table, the altars, and the holy vessels. They did this with God’s mercy and the might of the Almighty God. These articles exist to this day and are under my protection.”
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