Scriptures

Exodus 35:1 – 38:20

Haftara:
1 Kings 7:40-50 (Ashkenazi)
& 1 Kings 7:13-26 (Sephardi)

35:1 The opening of this parasha is almost identical the previous three parashot as they indicates the great significance of the Tabernacle. Israel’s ability to create a setting for YHVH’s presence is a measure of its greatness and a primary reason for its very existence.

35:3 Kindling fire on Shabbat – The Talmud offers an interpretation of this text and says that the fire is not to be created on the Shabbat. It may be kept going on the Shabbat providing it is not used for cooking or baking. Its heat and the light may be enjoyed. This is also seen as an interpretation that no normal work may be done on the Shabbat. I remind people of the penalty for breaking the Shabbat is death and is therefore viewed by YHVH as one of the most serious forms of transgression.

35:7 Badger – In Hebrew the animal is called a tachash. Honestly no one knows what this animal is or was. It is pretty much the same scenario as the tchelet. We assume that it may have been the badger as it was obviously an animal with a very tough skin.

36:22 It is important to note that the donations or gifts for the Tabernacle were all free will offerings.

35:12, 15, 17 In these three verses we have three different words used to describe the three curtains that were in the Tabernacle; in verse 12 the parochet, the curtain closing off the Holy of Holies; in verse 17 the kela, the curtain closing the entrance to the Holy Place; and in verse 15 the mazak, closing the entrance to the Tabernacle itself.

35:21 No one was forced to work on the Tabernacle. It was those whose hearts were moved to do the work. Should service within the body not be the same?

35:22 The items given were:

• Bracelets (chach, which is anything that hooks together)
• Earrings (nezem, taken from the word for ear ozen). In modern Hebrew earings are called agilim from the word for "round."
• Rings, taba’at
• Chumaz, an item of women's clothing found only here and in Num. 31:50

36:5 The people brought more than was needed. Sadly we do not see people giving to this extent anymore or in this freedom of spirit. There was no confusion about which doctrine they were supporting they were giving to YHVH and his purpose on the earth.

36:8-37 The detail of the instruction that YHVH gave to Moses was astounding!

37:1 The sages give us a wonderful understanding of meaning of the elements of the Tabernacle. The account of the Tabernacles construction ends with the vessels that represent the essence of the Sanctuaries teaching. These vessels, contained in the Tabernacle structure, symbolize the innermost of human ideals: the Ark contains YHVH’s teachings; the Table reflects man’s struggle to sustain his physical being by fighting for his daily bread; and finally the Menorah reflects man’s obligation to spread the light of Torah beyond himself. The Ark that is in the Holy of Holies radiates its holiness to the Table and Menorah and through he entire world.

38:8 The Laver was a very large basin in the Tabernacle courtyard from which the Cohenim were required to wash their hands and feet before performing the service. It was made entirely of copper mirrors. The mirrors used by women in those days were brightly polished sheets of copper. When the call went out for contributions, the women came with their copper mirrors and piled them up at the Tent of Meeting.