* PARSHA Q&A * In-Depth Questions on the Parsha and Rashi's commentary. Parshas Terumah For the week ending 4 Adar Rishon 5755 3 & 4 February 1995 =========================================================================== This issue is dedicated in the memory of Rochel bas R' Avrohom Boruch HaLevi by her son, Jeremy Rose, of London =========================================================================== Parsha Questions 1. Why in the first verse of the Parsha does the word Terumah appear 3 times? 2. The skin of which now-extinct animal was used in making the Mishkan? 3. From where did the Jewish People obtain the wood to build the Mishkan? 4. Describe two uses of: a) oil; b) spices; c) jewels. 5. Betzalel made the Aron out of three boxes, one inside of the other. Of what material were these boxes made? 6. What is the significance of the crown on top of the Aron? 7. The Torah is referred to as testimony (25:16). To what does the Torah testify? 8. What did the faces of the Cherubim on top of the Aron resemble? 9. How did Betzalel make the Cherubim? 10. What is the significance of the crown on top of the Shulchan (table)? 11. How did Betzalel make the Menorah? 12. In which direction did the flames of the Menorah cast their light? 13. How did Moshe know the shape of the Menorah? 14. How many materials made up the threads used to weave the tapestries of the Mishkan? 15. What was the height of the Mishkan? 16. Where in the Mishkan was the Shulchan located? 17. Where was the Menorah located? 18. What were the dimensions of the Mizbe'ach (Altar)? 19. What were the dimensions of the Courtyard of the Mishkan? 20. How were the yeseidos (copper pegs) used? Bonus QUESTION: In the beginning of the Parsha, Hashem commands the Jewish People "V'yikchu Li (and take for Me ) Terumah" (25:2). Why did Hashem command "take" for Me Terumah rather than "give" to Me Terumah? I Did Not Know That! "And their faces (of the Cherubim) faced toward each other" (25:20). "And their faces (of the Cherubim) faced inward (away from each other)" (Divrei Hayamim II 3:13). These two verses don't contradict one another. Whenever the Jewish People obey the Torah the Cherubim face toward each other. Whenever the Jewish People transgress the Torah the Cherubim face away from each other. Bava Basra 99a =========================================================================== Answers to this Week's Questions All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated 1. 25:2 - To allude to the three different types of Terumah offered. 2. 25:5 - The Tachash. 3. 25:5 - Yaakov foresaw through Ruach Hakodesh that the Jewish People would be commanded to build the Mishkan. He planted cedars in Egypt and commanded his children to cut them down and to take the wood with them when they left Egypt. 4. 25:6-7 - a) The oil was burned in the Menorah and used for anointing. b) The spices were a component of the anointing oil and of the incense. c) The jewels were used in the Ephod and the Choshen. 5. 25:11 - The outer and inner boxes were made of gold and the middle box was made of wood. 6. 25:11 - It symbolized the crown of Torah. 7. 25:16 - It testifies that Hashem commanded us to keep His mitzvos. 8. 25:18 - The faces of children. 9. 25:18 - They were hammered out of a solid block of gold as part of the cover of the Aron. 10. 25:24 - It symbolized the crown of royalty. 11. 25:31 - It was hammered out of one large block of gold. 12. 25:37 - Towards the middle flame. 13. 25:40 - Hashem showed Moshe a Menorah made out of fire. 14. 26:1 - Each thread consisted of 4 components, 1 of linen and 3 of wool. 15. 26:16 - Ten Amos (cubits). 16. 26:35 - Two and a half Amos from the northern wall. 17. 26:35 - Two and a half Amos from the southern wall. 18. There are two opinions as to its height. R. Yehuda said it was three amos high. R. Yosi said it was 10 amos high. 19. 27:18 - One hundred Amos long by fifty Amos wide. 20. 27:19 - They were used to secure the curtains against the wind. Bonus ANSWER: It is not possible to give Hashem anything, since all that we have belongs to Hashem. Hashem was commanding the Jewish People to take what He had given them and use it to build the Mishkan. Levush HaOrah =========================================================================== What do you do with Parsha Q&A? Larry Altose of Seattle, Washington (Congregation Bikur Cholim-Machzikay Hadath) writes: "The Parasha Q&A's are my 11 year old son's special questions, where he shows his erudition in his parasha and Rashi studies during the week. Our shul has a youth minyan which includes a question and answer session, so I lend the Ohr Somayach questions (and answers) to the leader of that group. 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