* PARSHA Q&A * In-Depth Questions on the Parsha and Rashi's commentary. Parshas Pekudei For the week ending 2 Adar Sheini 5755 3 & 4 March 1995 =========================================================================== This issue is dedicated in memory of HaGaon HaRav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, Zt''l =========================================================================== Parsha Questions 1. Why is the word Mishkan stated twice in verse 38:21? 2. Why is the Mishkan called the "Mishkan of testimony"? 3. Who was appointed to carry the vessels of the Mishkan in the Midbar? 4. Who was the officer in charge of the Levi'im? 5. What is the meaning of the name Betzalel? 6. How many people contributed a half-shekel to the Mishkan? Who contributed? 7. Which material used in the bigdei Kehuna was not used in the coverings of the sacred vessels? 8. How was gold woven into the priestly garments? 9. What type of stones were on the shoulders of the Ephod, and what was inscribed on them? 10. What was on the hem of the Me'il? 11. 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? 12. What role did Moshe play in the construction of the Mishkan? 13. Which date was the first time that the Mishkan was erected and not dismantled? 14. What "tent" did Moshe spread over the Mishkan (40:19)? 15. What "testimony" did Moshe place in the Aron? 16. What function did the Paroches serve? 17. Where was the Shulchan placed in the Mishkan? 18. Where was the Menorah placed in the Mishkan? 19. Who offered the communal sacrifices during the eight days of the dedication of the Mishkan? 20. On which day did both Moshe and Aharon serve as Kohanim? Bonus QUESTION: In Parshas Pekudei, the Torah goes to great length to give a reckoning of all the items donated to the Mishkan. Why? I Did Not Know That! "And they extended the gold plates and split it into threads (39:3)." This is the only place where the Torah explained how the work of the Mishkan was done. This is because the making of gold into thread for weaving was something that had never been done before. Ramban =========================================================================== Answers to this Week's Questions All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated 1. 38:21 - To allude to the Beis HaMikdash that would twice be taken as a "mashkon" (pledge) for the sins of the Jewish People until the nation repents. 2. 38:21 - It was a testimony for the Jewish People that Hashem was being lenient with them regarding the sin of the golden calf and allowed His Shechina to dwell among them. 3. 38:21 - The Levi'im. 4. 38:21 - Isamar ben Aharon. 5. 38:22 - The name means "in the shadow of G-d". 6. 38:26 - 603,550. Every man that was counted from twenty years of age and up (excluding the Levi'im). 7. 39:1 - Linen. (See Rashi 31:10). 8. 39:3 - The gold was beaten into thin plates. From these plates threads were cut. Each gold thread was then interwoven with six other threads. (See Rashi 28:6). 9. 39:6, 39:7 - Onyx stones with the inscription of the names of the tribes. 10. 39:24,25 - Woven pomegranates and golden bells. 11. 39:31 - He also wore Tefillin on the hair that was visible between the "Mitznefes" and the "Tzitz". 12. 39:33 - He did no work in creating the parts of the Mishkan, but he alone was able to raise it. 13. 40:17 - Rosh Chodesh Nisan of the second year in the Midbar. For seven days before this, during the consecration of Aharon and his sons, Moshe erected and dismantled the Mishkan. (Rashi 39:29) 14. 40:19 - The curtain of goat-skin. 15. 40:20 - The Luchos HaBris. 16. 40:21 - It served as a partition for the Aron. 17. 40:22 - On the northern side of the "Ohel Mo'ed," outside the "Paroches." 18. 40:24 - On the southern side of the "Ohel Mo'ed" opposite the "Shulchan." 19. 40:29 - Moshe. 20. 40:31 - On the eighth day of the consecration of the Mishkan. Bonus ANSWER: Since the work of the Mishkan was completed, Moshe gave an accounting of every item donated to the building of the Mishkan. This teaches us that anyone who is involved in public work should give a detailed report of what he did with the public funds in order to remove himself from suspicion of misappropriation. Tzor Hamor =========================================================================== What do you do with Parsha Q&A? Herman Weiss @postbox.acs.ohio-state.edu writes: "I personally use the Q&A to jog my memory from when I first knew the answers. It is a good tool and very useful. 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