“On the first day of the first month you shall set up the Mishkan (Tabernacle) of the Tent of Meeting” (Exodus 40:2). The construction of the Mishkan began after Moses came down with the second set of tablets, which was on the tenth day of the 7th month (Yom Kippur).… Read More »EXODUS 40:2 – BE PATIENT
“Take from yourselves an offering to Hashem. Every person whose heart impels him to generosity shall bring an offering to Hashem…(Exodus 35:5). The Hebrew word m’itchem – “from yourselves”, implies an inner, personal initiative. The impulse to give comes from within. Often, people are only motivated to contribute to worthy… Read More »EXODUS 35:5 – TAKE FROM YOURSELVES
Hashem said to Moses: Go and descend! For your people that you have brought up from the land of Egypt have become corrupt…they have made for themselves a molten calf! They bowed down to it and sacrificed to it…” (Exodus 32:7-8). Moses descends from the mountain with the two tablets… Read More »EXODUS 32:7-8 – GO AND DESCEND!
“And the people took off their gold rings which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron” (Exodus 32:3). Come and see, Rabbi Yitzchak of Slonim used to say, how even the corrupt individuals among those who left Egypt were ready and willing to give up their silver and… Read More »EXODUS 32:3 GOLD AND SILVER
“Offer one lamb in the morning and the second lamb in the afternoon” (Exodus 29:39). The Introduction to the Ein Yaakov compendium of Talmudic Aggadita (Midrash) cites a fascinating discussion about which verse best captures the essence of the entire Torah. Rabbi Akiva puts forward the famous verse in Leviticus… Read More »EXODUS 29:39 – OFFERING LAMBS
“Speak to all who are wise of heart whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, and have them make Aaron’s garments, so sanctify him to serve Me” (Exodus 28:3). It is interesting that throughout the scriptures, the heart is seen as the seat of wisdom. For example, “I… Read More »EXODUS 28:3 – THE SOURCE AND ALLOCATION OF WISDOM
“You shall command the children of Israel that they should take for you clear olive oil, crushed for illumination, to keep the lamp burning continually” (Exodus 27:20). According to the Oral Torah, only the best, first drop of oil that was pressed from each olive could be used for lighting… Read More »EXODUS 27:20 – TAKE CLEAR OLIVE OIL
“You shall command the children of Israel that they should take for you clear olive oil, crushed for illumination, to keep the lamp burning continually” (Exodus 27:20). The Midrash teaches: When someone wants to make a window, he makes it wide from within and narrow from without. Why? So that… Read More »EXODUS 27:20 – CRUSH THE OLIVE
“Hashem said to Moses: Come up to Me on the mountain and be there…” (Exodus 24:12). This verse seems redundant. Obviously, if Moses is going to go up onto the mountain, he will be there. Not so fast said R’ Menachem Mendel of Kotzk. Unfortunately, it’s entirely possible for a… Read More »EXODUS 24:12 BE REALLY THERE
“Don’t make for yourself any idol…” (Exodus 20:4) The Hebrew here is “Lo ta’aseh lecha pesel” which is ordinarily translated to teach we shouldn’t make an idol for ourselves. But it can also imply that we shouldn’t make ourselves into an idol! Idolatry is ultimately a placing one’s own will… Read More »EXODUS 20:4 – DON’T MAKE YOURSELVE INTO AN IDOL!
