The 39 Acts (Jewish Sabbath Rules) Forbidden on the Sabbath

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 21, 2022 | Covenant, Holiness, Shabbat, Temple, Vayakhel

After the instructions for the Tabernacle are given and right before the actual construction of the Tabernacle begins, Moses gives an incongruous message commanding the Jews to rest on Shabbat (Exodus 35:1-3). In no fewer than 12 places, the Torah reiterates the...

Why Was the Laver Made From the Mirrors of the Women?

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 20, 2022 | Marriage and Relationships, Purity, Temple, Vayakhel

At the beginning of the Torah portion of Vayakhel (Exodus 35:1-38:20), the Torah again described the materials that were collected for use in creating the Tabernacle (Exodus 35:4-9). In the case of the laver, the Torah even describes the source of the material,...

The Holy Half-Shekel

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 13, 2022 | Adar, Community, Israel, Ki Tisa, Temple

In the beginning of the Torah portion of Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11-34:35), God commands the Children of Israel to take a census by collecting a silver half-shekel from every male over the age of 20. What is the meaning of half shekel in the Bible? The half shekel is a...

The Message of the Eternal Flame

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 11, 2022 | Chanukah, Miracles, Purity, Temple, Tetzaveh

When God instructs the Children of Israel to make the menorah, He tells them to gather oil “for kindling lamps regularly” (Exodus 27:20). Rashi explains that the light was to be lit all night, every night, though not necessarily during the day. The lights...

Why Was Aaron Chosen to be the High Priest?

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 10, 2022 | Temple, Tetzaveh

When Aaron and his sons were anointed in order to begin serving in the Tabernacle, it transformed their descendants for all time, establishing them as Kohanim (priests) and the only people to perform the Temple service.  It should be noted that initially, the...

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...