The Artist Behind the Construction of the Tabernacle

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 9, 2022 | God, Ki Tisa, Temple

Even though no man ever came as close to God as Moses, when it came time to construct the Tabernacle, God assigned the task to Bezalel (meaning “in the shadow [i.e. the protection] of God”) the son of Uri and grandson of Hur, from the tribe of Judah. Caleb...

The Incense Altar: Linking the Physical and the Spiritual

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 8, 2022 | Israel, Temple, Tetzaveh

After instructing the Children of Israel about the priestly garments, God then describes the golden altar for offering incense. Similar to the Ark of the Covenant, the altar for the incense was made of acacia wood covered in gold. Rings were set in its corners and...

The Mystical Powers of the High Priest’s Head-Plate

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 7, 2022 | Temple, Tetzaveh

The Torah mandates eight garments for the Kohen Gadol (High Priest). Among them is the golden head-plate, or the tzitz (צִיץ), which was engraved with the words kodesh laHashem (קֹדֶשׁ לַיהֹוָה), ‘Holy to God.’ The word tzitz means ‘to blossom,’ or ‘a flower,’ and is...

The Enigmatic Breastplate

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 7, 2022 | God, Holiness, Temple, Tetzaveh

Perhaps the most enigmatic element of the clothing of the High Priest was the breastplate, known in Hebrew as the choshen, which was attached to the ephod, or apron, of the High Priest. Made of cloth (wool dyed blue, purple, and crimson) that was woven with linen and...

The Many Uses of Olive Oil in Biblical Times

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 6, 2022 | Hebrew Language, Messiah, Purity, Temple, Tetzaveh

The portion of Tetzaveh begins by telling the Children of Israel to bring pure olive oil for use in the Menorah in the Tabernacle (Exodus 27:20). For normal use, oil is extracted from olives by pressing, but the Torah specifies that in this case the olives are...

A Table Fit for a King

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 3, 2022 | Community, God, Holiness, Temple, Terumah

When God commanded the Children of Israel to build a Tabernacle for him to dwell among them, he also commanded them to build furnishings. Perhaps the most intricate piece was the golden table, or shulchan, that held the 12 showbreads, and some commentaries place the...