Articles in Parsha Insights
Vayakhel: Imperfect Devotion
Last in Line
Have you ever attended a Bar Mitzvah where dinner was served buffet style? I really dislike those dinners and here is why. When the buffet is set out I examine the mouth-watering display and a battle rages within me about which treats I can afford to eat. By …
Pekudei: An Arresting Question
A Final Accounting
The previous three Torah portions dealt with the specifications for building the Tabernacle and its holy vestments. In this portion a very important detail: is contributed – a calculation of the total sum of donations received for the cause.
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Vayakhel Pekudei: Celestial Real-estate
According To G-d
Our Parsha describes the building of the Mishkan and the specific details of craftsmanship involved. After describing each section of the Mishkan the Torah testifies that it was all done in accordance with G-d’s instruction to Moshe. Many have wondered why the Torah so often repeats this point?
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Pekudei: Learn to Love It
A Generous Text
This week’s Parsha continues the theme from the previous Parsha in describing our ancestor’s enthusiasm for building the Mishkan (tabernacle) and their exacting commitment to its great detail. After transmitting G-d’s detailed instructions for building the Mishkan the Torah could have simply concluded with the words “Vayasu Ken,” …
Vayakhel: The Real Shabbaton
Shabbat – A Day of Rest
“Six days your work is done and the seventh day is Shabbat Shabbaton” (our Parsha Exodus 35, 2) Contrast this verse with the way it appears in both recordings of the Ten Commandments. “Six days you shall labor and the seventh day shall be a …
Ki Tisa: The Money Trap
Forgetting G-d
Moses was atop Mount Sinai, but he was slated to return the day before. When he failed to return on the designated day, the people worried that G-d may have taken him. They feared that he might never return and asked Aaron to create a new material G-d. (1)
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KI TISA: A True Leader
Moses’ Reaction
In this Parsha we read about the golden calf. When he saw the calf, Moses hurled the sacred tablets to the ground and meted out strict punishment to the sinners. Having vented his frustration Moses returned to G-d and pleaded for forgiveness on behalf of the Jewish people.
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KI Tisa: Transformation of a Coin
Coins Of Fire
In this week’s Parsha we read that by contributing half-silver coins to the tabernacle’s building fund our ancestors earned atonement for their souls. The Midrash relates that Moshe wondered how atonement could result from simple silver coinage? In response G-d showed Moshe a coin made of fire. How …
