Accountings of the Tabernacle
The Torah section of Pekudei begins (Sh’mot 38:21): “These are the accountings of the Tabernacle … which were counted at the behest of Moses.” This verse is then followed by a detailed listing of the amounts of gold, silver and copper which were contributed towards the construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). An accounting was made for each and every […]
Working Together
The Torah section of Vayakhel begins, “And Moses assembled the entire assembly of the children of Israel and said to them, ‘These are the things that G-d commanded ’” (Sh’mot 35:1). Moses then goes on to describe what the Israelites are enjoined to do for the construction of the holy Mishkan (Tabernacle) and its inauguration […]
Let’s Appreciate What We Have When We Have It
We read in the Torah section of Ki Tisa (Sh’mot 32:15-16), “And Moses turned and descended from the mountain, with the two Tablets of the Testimony in his hand, Tablets inscribed on both their sides; they were inscribed on one side and the other. The Tablets were G-d’s handiwork, and the script was the script […]
Those who Plant with Tears will Reap with Joy
The Torah section of Tetzaveh discusses the elegant clothes of the kohanim (priests) and the inauguration of services in the newly constructed Mishkan (Tabernacle) whose components were described in the previous Torah section. Upon perusing the above Torah sections, one finds that all of the different structures and vessels are discussed in the first section except […]
Giving is Receiving
The Torah section of Terumah discusses the contribution, apportionment and design of the various components of the holy Tabernacle, the Mishkan, which was later to be used in the holy Temple, the bet hamikdash. The section starts (Sh’mot 25:1-2): “And G-d spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to the children of Israel and let them take for […]
Authority to Heal
In the Torah section of Mishpatim, among the many laws and injunctions mentioned, we find (Sh’mot 21:19), “If men quarrel and one strikes his fellow with a stone or a fist, and he does not die but falls into bed. If he gets up and goes about outside under his own power, the one who […]
Planting Seeds for the Future
In the Talmud (Babylonian Talmud, Rosh Hashana 2a), Bet Hillel establishes the 15th day in the Hebrew month of Shvat, known as Tu B’Shvat, to be the New Year of Trees. This day marks the beginning of a new year for the tithing of fruits that grow from the tree. Fruits of trees that blossom […]
Guide to the Pedagogue
In the Torah section of Bo, we find the first directive from G-d to the people of Israel as a whole. Before their miraculous exodus from slavery in Egypt, they are instructed regarding the preparation of a special lamb offering as well as other laws surrounding the Passover holiday that is to be celebrated in commemoration of […]
Unable to Listen
We are told in the beginning of the Torah section of VaEirah that the enslavement of the Israelites at the hands of the Egyptians was so crushing that when Moses came to his brethren to announce their impending redemption, “They were unable to listen to him out of shortness of spirit and hard work” (Sh’mot […]
Heavy of Speech
The Torah section of Sh’mot introduces the toils and tribulations of the children of Israel in Egypt after Jacob and all his sons passed away. “And a new king arose over Egypt who did not know Joseph” (Sh’mot 1:8). Pharaoh no longer recognized the great contribution of Joseph to saving his country in the time […]