* PARSHA Q&A * In-Depth Questions on the Parsha and Rashi's commentary. Parshas Vayakhel For the week ending 25 Adar Rishon 5755 24 & 25 February 1995 =========================================================================== This issue is sponsored in loving memory of Joseph Intract Z"l by his son Joel Walter & family =========================================================================== Parsha Questions 1. On which day did Moshe assemble the Jewish People? 2. Why is the prohibition against doing work on Shabbos written prior to the instruction for building the Mishkan? 3. Why does the Torah specify the particular prohibition of lighting a fire on Shabbos right after it had already noted the general prohibition of doing work on Shabbos? 4. What function in the Mishkan did the "yisdos haMishkan" (pins) serve? 5. What function did the "bigdei hasrad" (knitted garments) serve? 6. What was unusual about the way the women spun the goat's hair? 7. Why were the Nesi'im (Princes) the last ones to contribute to the building of the Mishkan? How does the Torah show dissatisfaction with their actions? 8. Who does the Torah identify as the primary builders of the Mishkan? From which tribes were they? 9. What time of day did the people bring their daily contributions for the construction of the Mishkan? 10. For what was the woven goat's hair used? 11. What image was woven into the "Paroches"? 12. Why does the Torah attribute the building of the Aron to Betzalel? 13. Where were the sculptured Cheruvim located? 14. How many lamps did the Menorah have? 15. Of what materials was the Mizbe'ach haKetores (Incense Altar) composed? 16. Of what material was the Mizbe'ach haOlah (Burnt-Offering Altar) composed? 17. The Kiyor was made from copper mirrors. What function did these mirrors serve in Egypt? 18. How did the Kiyor (laver) promote peace? 19. The Kiyor was made from the mirrors of the women who were crowding at the entrance to the Ohel Mo'ed (tent of meeting). Why were the women crowding there? 20. Of what material were the "yisdos haMishkan" (pins) made? Bonus QUESTION: In verse 35:3 the Torah commands: "Six days you may do a "melacha", but on the seventh day there shall be... a Shabbos of strict rest." What is a "melacha"? I Did Not Know That! "Six days you may work..." (35:2). This is not an obligation to work. Rather the Torah gives permission to those who wish to do so to work, as long as they restrict it to weekdays. Rabbenu Meyuchas =========================================================================== Answers to this Week's Questions All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated 1. 35:1 - The day after Yom Kippur. 2. 35:2 - To emphasize that the building of the Mishkan doesn't supersede the laws of Shabbos. 3. 35:3 - There are two opinions: One opinion is to teach that igniting a fire on Shabbos is punishable by lashes as opposed to other "melachos" which are punishable by death. The other opinion is to teach that violation of numerous "melachos" at one time requires a separate atonement for each violation. 4. 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. 5. 35:19 - They covered the Aron, the Shulchan, the Menorah, and the Mizbachos (Altars) when they were packed for transport. 6. 35:26 - It was spun directly from off of the backs of the goats. 7. 35:27 - The Nesi'im reasoned that they would first let the people contribute materials needed for the Mishkan and then they would contribute what was lacking. The Torah shows its dissatisfaction by deleting a letter from their title. 8. 35:30, 35:34 - Betzalel ben Uri from the tribe of Yehuda; Oholiav ben Achisamach from the tribe of Dan. 9. 36:3 - Morning. 10. 36:14 - It was made into curtains to be draped over the Mishkan. 11. 36:35 - Cherubim. (See Rashi 26:31). 12. 37:1 - Because he dedicated himself to its building more than anyone else. 13. 37:7 - On the 2 extremities of the Kapores (cover of the Aron). 14. 37:23 - Seven. 15. 37:25,26 - Wood overlaid with gold. 16. 38:1-2 - Wood overlaid with copper. 17. 38:8 - These mirrors aided in the proliferation of the Jewish People. The Jewish women in Egypt would look in the mirrors so as to awaken the affections of their husbands who were exhausted by their slave labor. 18. 38:8 - Its waters helped a woman accused of adultery to prove her innocence. 19. 38:8 - To donate to the Mishkan. 20. 38:20 - Copper. Bonus ANSWER: "Melacha" is a creative activity that changes the nature of the object acted upon. The Torah teaches us that we are not absolute masters over the world, by restricting our interference with the natural world for one day a week -- Shabbos. Rabbi S,R, Hirsch =========================================================================== What do you do with Parsha Q&A? 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