Materials for the Mishkan

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1. The Unifying Theme of Parashat Pekudei

   Rabbi Elchanan Samet

   From a literary perspective, are Vayak'hel - Pekudei one or two units? Why does Moshe's summation appear between the vessels and the garments, instead of concluding both episodes? A closer look at Parashat Pekudei shows that it is a separate episode; the distinction also clarifies the placement of the garments.

2. The Structure of the Mishkan

   Rabbi Meir Spiegelman

   What is the goal of the Mishkan? An analysis of the text suggests that the Mishkan’s purpose is twofold: the Mishkan represents a permanent continuation of the Revelation at Sinai, as well as a meeting place between God and Israel. 

3. Kiyor, Shabbat, and Betzalel - Creativity and the Mishkan

   Rabbi Moshe Taragin | 33 minutes

   Vayakhel and Pekudei details the materials and the rituals of the Mishkan. One of the most fascinating vessels described in at the end of Vayakhel is the kiyyor (the washbasin) at the intersection of the sacred and the mundane. The washbasin was constructed from copper from the “mar’ot ha-tzov’ot”- assumed to refer to an ancient form of mirrors. Where did these mirrors come from? Who donated them? We see conflicting opinions among the commentators. We also look at the Divine inspiration of Betzalel, and the section about prohibiting melakha on Shabbat. All of these topics come together to send a message about the value of creativity and how it contributes to, and fits in with the Mishkan.

4. Ramban on Vayakhel Pekudei

   Rabbi Ezra Bick | 34 minutes

   What qualities are we looking for in artisans who would build the Mishkan? We would think craftsmanship -but did the Israelite Mishkan artisans have any training, or were they inspired by God with a spirit of voluntarism and goodwill?

   We are looking for spiritual qualities to build a physical mishakan for for spiritual purpose. Why was Betzalel the best? He was  the most singled out because he had the best spiritual qualities-always  tasked with the jobs with the highest spiritual import, beause he had the wisdom, insight, and understanding for this spiritual endeavor.