Obstruction

Massakh is part way between pessach and shaar. A pessach is a doorway that is always open so that physical and visual access is always available; a shaar is a gate that can close off the doorway opening so that physical and visual access is cut off; a massakh stands a bit away from the doorway so that physical access is given but visual access is cut off. A masseikha really is a mask that cuts off visual access. An eigel masseikha is a wagon (a chariot) which cuts off the view. An ihr misskenot is a treasure city that allows for people to have access to food but which makes it so that the people cannot tell where the food comes from nor to whom it goes.