* PARSHA Q&A * In-Depth Questions on the Parsha with Rashi Parshas Pekudei For the week ending 29 Adar 5754 11 & 12 March 1994 ======================================================================== Parsha Questions 1. Why is the word "Mishkan" stated twice in 38:21? 2. Why is the Mishkan called the "Mishkan of testimony"? 3. Who was the officer appointed over the Levi'im? 4. What is the meaning of the name Betzalel? What is the significance of the name? 5. How many people contributed a half-shekel to the Mishkan? Who contributed? 6. Which material used in the bigdei Kahuna was not used in the coverings of the sacred vessels? 7. How was gold worked into the priestly garments? 8. What type of stones were on the shoulders of the Ephod, and what was inscribed on them? 9. What was on the hem of the Me'il? 10. The Kohen Gadol wore the "Mitznefes" on the crown of his head and the "Tzitz" on his forehead. What else did he wear on his head? 11. What role did Moshe play in the construction of the Mishkan? 12. How did Moshe bless the Jewish People upon the completion of the construction of the Mishkan? 13. What day was the Mishkan erected and not dismantled? 14. What "testimony" did Moshe place in the Aron? 15. What function did the "Paroches" serve? 16. Where was the "Shulchan" placed in the Mishkan? 17. Where was the "Menorah" placed in the Mishkan? 18. Who offered the communal sacrifices during the eight days of the dedication of the Mishkan? Bonus Question In verse 39:33, the Torah states that the Jewish craftsmen brought to Moshe the completed but as yet unassembled parts of the Mishkan . Rashi learned from this verse that they were unable to erect it themselves. How does Rashi know this? I Did Not Know That! Betzalel built the Mishkan when he was thirteen years old. Sanhedrin 69b ======================================================================== Answers to Last Week's Questions - Parshas Vayakhel Parsha Questions All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated. 1. 35:2 - To emphasize that the building of the Mishkan doesn't supersede the laws of Shabbos. 2. 35:3 - There are two opinions in Chazal. One is that the penalty for transgression is not death. The other opinion is that violation of numerous "melachos" requires atonement for each violation. 3. 35:18 - The edges of the curtains were fastened to the pins. These were inserted in the ground so the curtains would not move in the wind. 4. 35:19 - They covered the Aron, the Table, the Menorah, and the Altars when they were packed for transport. 5. 35:27 - The Princes reasoned that they would first let the people contribute materials needed for the Mishkan and they would contribute what was lacking. Therefore, the Torah deleted a letter from their title. 6. 35:30, 35:34 - Betzalel ben Uri from Yehuda; Oholiav ben Achisamach from Dan. 7. 36:3 - Morning. 8. 36:14 - It was made into curtains to be draped over the Mishkan. 9. 36:35 - Cherubim. 10. 37:1 - Because he dedicated himself to its building more whole- heartedly than anyone else. 11. 37:7 - On the 2 extremities of the cover of the Aron. 12. 37:23 - Seven. 13. 37:25, 37:26 - Wood overlayed with gold. 14. 38:1, 38:2 - Wood overlayed with copper. 15. 38:8 - Its waters helped a woman accused of adultery to prove her innocence. 16. 38:8 - These mirrors aided in the continuation of the Jewish People. The Jewish women in Egypt would look in the mirrors to adorn themselves so as to awaken the affections of their husbands who were exhausted by their slave labor. 17. 38:20 - Copper. Bonus Question Question: Rashi says that Moshe assembled the congregation to instruct them on the building of the Mishkan on the day after Yom Kippur. From where did Rashi learn this? Answer: Ki Sisa concludes, "Moshe went down from Mt. Sinai with Two Tablets..."(34:29). This was on Yom Kippur. Parshas Vayakhel begins, "And Moshe assembled the congregation...". From this juxtaposition, Rashi learned that Moshe assembled the congregation to instruct them about the Mishkan the day after Yom Kippur. A second reason: Since the free-will offerings given for construction of the Mishkan were an atonement for the sin of the golden calf it is logical that Moshe chose the earliest opportunity to inform the congregation of this Mitzvah. Sifsei Chachamim ========================================================================= Ohr Somayach Institutions is proud to present a new list: THE WEEKLY DAF: Insights on the 7 pages of the Daf Yomi study. By Rav Weinbach, Dean, Ohr Somayach Institutions Issue #4 contains the essay "Equal Rights, Equal Responsibilities," which discusses the status of men versus women in Jewish law. 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