[Mrs. Don-o]

Why did the Hebrews try to preserve the rod of Aaron, the samples of manna, and the tablets of the Law, in the Ark of the Covenant?

God did not at all forbid the veneration of objects associated with His saving acts. In fact, He ordered it.

[circlecity]

None of those was a depiction.
And none of the things you mention could be viewed by the people because they were specifically put in the ark where they could not be seen. And even the ark was covered by cloths and skins when transported so nobody could look at that. One item not placed in he ark was the bronze serpent Moses put on a pole - and why was that later destroyed by King Hezikiah?

[circlecity]

"God did not at all forbid the veneration of objects associated with His saving acts. In fact, He ordered it."

God never ordered the veneration of the items you listed. In fact he hid them from people so they could not be seen and venerated.

[circlecity]

"God did not at all forbid the veneration of objects associated with His saving acts. In fact, He ordered it."

God never ordered the veneration of the items you listed. In fact he hid them from people so they could not be seen and venerated.