The Status of the Priests, Then and Now

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 1, 2022 | Holiness, Israel, Pekudei, Temple

After the sin of the Golden Calf, the tribe of Levi is chosen to serve in the Temple instead of the firstborn as they did not participate in the sin. Aaron is chosen to be the High Priest, and Moses anoints his brother and his brother’s sons. With this, the...

The Tabernacle: Giving From the Heart

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 28, 2022 | God, Holiness, Temple, Vayakhel

The Torah describes how the Children of Israel brought so many voluntary offerings for the construction of the Tabernacle that Moses called a stop to donations. The people gave so enthusiastically that there was enough for the construction of the Tabernacle and there...

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 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...

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...