Scriptures

Exodus 30:11 – 34:35

Haftara:
1 Kings 18:1-39(A) and 1 Kings 18:20-39(S)

30:13 The shekel was a specific weight of silver that Moses instituted as the standard coinage. In contemporary weights, Chazon Ish calculates this shekel as 16 grams, or 0.51 troy ounce of pure silver. In the census, the people gave a coin and that was then counted instead of people going around counting heads.

30:17-21 In the courtyard of the Tabernacle stood a large copper utensil from which the Cohenim were required to wash their hands and feet before performing the service. The purpose of this washing was for sanctity rather than cleanliness. Shaul in Titus 3:5 likens tvila (baptism) to the washing of regeneration, the function of the laver.

30:22-33 Moses was commanded to compound a mixture of oil and spices that would be used to anoint and consecrate all the vessels of the Tabernacle, and also Aaron and his sons, for their tasks. In the future, this same oil would be used to anoint the kings of the Davidic dynasty and future Cohenim.

The anointing oil was compounded from the following ingredients:

• Pure myrrh – mar deror
• Sweet cinnamon – kinamon besem – aromatic cinnamon
• Sweet calamus – keneh besem – aromatic calamus
• Cassia – kiddah
• Olive Oil – shemen zayit

Some bibles translate the Hebrew word k’toret as "perfume" or "spice," but itshould be translated incense. There are very different words in Hebrew for perfume (bosem) and spice (tavlin). The word used samim is for the fragrances that are to be mixed to make incense. These fragrances were found in the following spices:

• Stacte – nataf – from the same tree that produces myrrh.
• Onycha – shechelet – believed to come from the external crust of a shell fish.
• Galbanum – chelbanah – A plant from Africa.
• Pure Frankincense – levonah zaka- A resin that comes from trees native to India.

The sages tell use that as galbanum has such a foul odor (Kerios 6b) that non-observant people should be included in our prayers – thus the incense expressed the idea of unity!

This chapter ends the instruction for the construction and service in the Tabernacle. We have an article on the significance of the Tabernacle in the life of a believer. Should you want a copy please email your request to us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

32:1-6 There are differing opinions on what is commonly known as the sin of the Golden Calf. I would like to share one that is a little different from the normal ideas. Thinking that Moses was dead (v.1), the people felt that they needed a tangible replacement for him. This not seen as a denial of YHVH, as Aaron declares the following day (v.5), but as a festival for YHVH. As a result of this sin, the Halacha forbids the use of a cow or bull’s horn to be used as a shofar.

32:10-13 Moses is revered through history for this intercessory plea to YHVH. Had he not called out to YHVH the nation of Israel would surely not exist today.

32:28 When Moses called for how many people were for YHVH only the Levites came forward. As a result of this 3,000 men died by the sword.

32:29 The people had to dedicate themselves to YHVH before Moses go go and fetch the second set of tablets.

33:11 Here Moses displays that "of Yeshua" characteristic in him. He has direct contact with YHVH and does not need a prophet or intercessor.

33:20 This simile refers to a complete and unadulterated perception of YHVH. To achieve such a perception was impossible, but YHVH would allow Moses to see His back (v.23). The word used in Hebrew acharai refers almost to "behind me," which could be interpreted as a shadow or a vague degree of knowledge.

34:1-4 Moses had to carve out the Word of YHVH on his own set of tablets, and so mortals can sanctify themselves.

34:5-7 The thirteen attributes of the mercy of YHVH:

1. YHVH - traditionally God’s name is related to his mercy.
2. YHVH - YHVH repeats this, indicating it is central to his being.
3. El - a word for deity, indicates his kingship over all things.
4. Rachum - compassionate, he sympathizes with the oppressed.
5. Khanun - gracious, YHVH is lovingly concerned with us.
6. Erekh afayim - slow to anger, he gives people time to repent.
7. Rav khesed - abundant in kindness, YHVH gives more than we deserve.
8. Emet - truth, YHVH is the source of truth.
9. Notzer khesed la’alafim - extending kindness to the thousandth generation, YHVH is truly longsuffering.
10. Nosei avon vafesha vekhata’ah - forgiving iniquity...
11. Transgression...
12. And sin. YHVH forgives all kinds of wrongdoing.
13. Venakeh lo yenakeh - yet YHVH does not remit all punishment, which reminds us God’s mercy has a limit.

Beginning the Saturday night before Rosh Hashanah and continuing through Yom Kippur, we say the Slichot, a special set of prayers containing these 13 attributes, designed to awaken us to the significance of the High Holy Days.

34:24 YHVH promises that the Land will be protected by Him three times a year when we go up to Jerusalem for the pilgrimage feasts.

34:27-35 YHVH instructs Moses to write a new covenant, which the people would accept, as they had accepted the original one by saying, “We will do and we will obey.” This should be our attitude as well, let us first do what it is that He requires of us before we start debating the pros and cons of what it is He wants for us to do.