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1 month ago | 
chabad.org | Mordechai Rubin
After describing the construction of the Tabernacle and its vessels, but before detailing the completion of the priestly garments for Aaron and his sons, the Torah lists the total donations received for the project.
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1 month ago | 
chabad.org | Mordechai Rubin |Yehoshua B. Gordon |Katia Bolotin |Ari Shishler
The name of the Parshah, "Vayakhel," means "And he gathered" and it is found in Exodus 35:1. Moses assembles the people of Israel and reiterates to them the commandment to observe the Shabbat. He then conveys G‑d’s instructions regarding the making of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). The people donate the required materials in abundance, bringing gold, silver and copper; blue-, purple- and red-dyed wool; goat hair, spun linen, animal skins, wood, olive oil, herbs and precious stones.
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1 month ago | 
chabad.org | Mordechai Rubin
Parshat Pekudei details the construction of the Tabernacle. While the previous portions—Terumah, Tetzaveh, and Ki Tisa—describe each component in great detail, Pekudei focuses more broadly on the work carried out by the skilled artisan Bezalel and his team.
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1 month ago | 
chabad.org | Mordechai Rubin |Yehoshua B. Gordon |Katia Bolotin |Aidela Rabiski
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1 month ago | 
chabad.org | Mordechai Rubin
In Parshat Ki Tisa, between the command for each individual to donate a half-shekel and the infamous sin of the golden calf, we find the instruction to construct a wash basin. The L-rd spoke to Moses, saying: You shall make a washstand of copper and its base of copper for washing, and you shall place it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and you shall put water therein. Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and feet from it.
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1 month ago | 
chabad.org | Mordechai Rubin |Yehoshua B. Gordon |Yossy Goldman |Katia Bolotin
How to Make Fluffy, Sweet Challah Without EggsWhat Were the Golden Cherubim? Chinese Translation Requested by the Rebbe Hits the ShelvesDear Yarden BibasWhat You Need to Know About Making (and Serving) CholentThe Altar - The Pintaleh YidInstead of Nightclubs, They Decided to Promote Something JewishThese Four Videos Made Us Laugh and Made Us CryYour Happiness According to the RambamTake the Ages and Stages in Judaism QuizWhat Is the Purpose of this World? Fragmented Thoughts of a Broken Heart
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1 month ago | 
chabad.org | Mordechai Rubin
Perhaps the most astonishing directive relating to the building of the Tabernacle is the instruction to form two golden cherubim on the Ark of the Covenant:And you shall make two golden cherubim; you shall make them of hammered work, from the two ends of the ark cover. And make one cherub from the one end and the other cherub from the other end; from the ark cover you shall make the cherubim on its two ends.
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2 months ago | 
chabad.org | Mordechai Rubin |Yehoshua B. Gordon |Chana Weisberg |Katia Bolotin
Mishpatim in a NutshellThe name of the Parshah, "Mishpatim," means "Ordinances" and it is found in Exodus 21:1. Following the revelation at Sinai, G‑d legislates a series of laws for the people of Israel. These include the laws of the indentured servant; the penalties for murder, kidnapping, assault and theft; civil laws pertaining to redress of damages, the granting of loans and the responsibilities of the “Four Guardians”; and the rules governing the conduct of justice by courts of law.
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2 months ago | 
chabad.org | Mordechai Rubin
Following the 10 Commandments given at Mount Sinai, Parshat Mishpatim opens with the laws of the Jewish indentured servant:And these are the ordinances that you shall set before them. Should you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall work [for] six years, and in the seventh [year], he shall go out to freedom without charge. …. But if the slave says, “I love my master, my wife, and my children.
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2 months ago | 
chabad.org | Mordechai Rubin
The eighth of the Ten Commandments, “Lo tignov,” literally translates as “do not steal.” Interestingly, both the Talmud and Midrash interpret it specifically as a prohibition against kidnapping. Why the insistence to read into it beyond a simple warning against theft? 1. It Is Due to the Context of Capital CasesRashi cites the Talmud, which explains that this verse refers to the kidnapping of a person.
