M-M-M-Mishkan

Parshat Terumah
Exodus 25:1 - 27:19

In this portion, God instructs Moses to accept gifts from the Israelites. These are to be used in constructing a sanctuary so that God can dwell among the people. Acceptable gifts include precious metals and stones; tanned skins; blue, purple, and crimson yarns and linen; and special oils and spices.

God shows Moses the pattern according to which the mishkan (the Tabernacle) and its contents are to be made. First to be made is an Ark of acacia wood, overlaid both inside and out with gold. The Ark is to be fitted with gold rings and gold covered poles to make it portable. The tablets of the law (which God will give Moses) are to be kept in the Ark. Two gold cherubim are to be placed facing each other over the cover of the Ark.

The Ark is to be house in the innermost chamber of the Tabernacle, called the Holy of Holies.

God describes the construction of the Tabernacle to Moses in great detail. The entire structure is to be portable, with a wooden framework, and walls of richly covered fabric.

Inside the Tabernacle, next to the Holy of Holies, is to be a second room called the Holy place, which will contain a table overlaid in gold with the bread of display set on it, and a seven-branched menorah also wrought of gold work.

In the court of the Tabernacle, an altar is to be constructed with horns of copper at each corner, and the courtyard itself is to be 100 cubits long by 50 cubits wide, fenced in with fine twined linen on silver filleted poles with hooks of silver and sockets of brass.

(Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden)

Questions for your Shabbat table:

• Terumah, the name of this week's portion, means "gifts" that the Israelites were each supposed to contribute to the building of the Tabernacle. What is the best gift you ever received? What is the most important gift you have ever given? What made each gift so special?
• During the building of the ark, each person was supposed to contribute something to the project. Why do you think this was mandatory? How would the project be different if everyone could choose whether or not they wanted to participate?
• Do you have to be an active participant in the Jewish community in order to be considered a Jew? How do you contribute to your community?
• The mishkan, the Tabernacle, was the special worship place the Israelites built in the wilderness. What is your family's worship place? What makes it special? What is it like to go to synagogue?
• The mishkan is a special place for God to dwell, and it was decorated very beautifully in order to honor God. How would you design a beautiful synagogue today? What would you include? Are there elements found in the description of the mishkan that are reflected in the sanctuary in your synagogue?

This week's Torah cartoon:

Laying Down the Law

Parshat Mishpatim
Exodus 21:1 - 24:18

In this portion, Moses sets before the Israelites the following groups of rules:

1. The rules concerning slaves: The Israelites are permitted to retain slaves, but they must always bear the dignity of the slave in mind. Hebrew slaves are to be freed after six years of service, or immediately if their owner willfully injures them. A slave who does not wish to leave a master shall have an ear pierced and remain a slave for life.
2. Certain crimes are punishable by death: Among these are murder, kidnapping, and insulting one's parents.
3. The laws detailing the responsibilities incurred by the owner of an ox: The owner of an ox which is known to have previously injured or killed another person or animal is to be punished along with the animal. The owner of an ox which causes death or injury just once does not incur punishment, although the ox must be stoned or sold in restitution for its actions.
4. Rules and penalties for theft and lending.
5. Certain laws pertaining to the Israelites remaining a holy people are presented. Among these are reminders not to curse God and to dedicate to God firstborn sons and cattle and the first fruits of a tree. Other laws pertaining to holiness including prohibitions against eating flesh torn by wild beasts and against boiling a kid in its mother's milk.
6. In the Sabbatical year, the land is to lie fallow or rest. The commandment to rest on the seventh day follows.
7. The observance of the three festivals - the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Passover), the Feast of the Harvest (Shavuot), and the Feast of the Ingathering (Sukkot) - is prescribed. All males are commanded to present themselves before God at those times.

In addition, the principle of just restitution for damages is stated (lex talionis, an "eye for an eye," etc.). The slavery of the Israelites in Egypt is recalled to remind the people not to mistreat strangers, widows, and orphans in their midst.

God tells Moses than an angel will lead the Israelites through the desert to Canaan. God promises to destroy all the peoples whose path the Israelites cross, so that the Israelites will not be tempted to worship the gods of other nations.

Moses repeats all the rules to the people and then writes them all down. Offerings are made to seal the covenant with God and the people accept the law saying, "All the things the Lord has commanded we will do."

The mountain is covered by the presence of God (the cloud) for six days. On the seventh day, God calls Moses to ascend and Moses goes up the mountain and remains there for 40 days and nights.
(Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden)

For your Shabbat table:

• This portion describes many different laws that the Israelites should follow. One of them tells us to behave for our parents and not insult them. Have you ever used mean or cruel words towards your parents? Why? Were you punished? How did you make it up to them? Why do you think the Torah includes a law that says one must be punished for insulting his/her parents?
• Some of the laws described in Parshat Mishpatim have to do with the responsibilities we have over ourselves and our belongings. What are some of the responsibilities you have?
• Towards the end of this week's portion, it says that the mountain is covered by the presence of God, which is described as a cloud. How do you picture God? If you were in God's presence, what would that be like?
• There are 613 commandments found in the Torah (in addition to the Ten Commandments we read in last week's Torah portion) - of those 613, 248 are "positive" (which means they tell you what to do - Keep the Shabbat...) and 365 are "negative" (which tell you what NOT to do - Do not murder, do not covet...). Which do you think are more effective - positive or negative commandments? Are one type easier to obey than others?

This week's Torah cartoon:

God's Top Ten

Parshat Yitro
Exodus 18:1 - 20:23

Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, brings Moses' wife and two sons to Moses in the desert. After observing how Moses settles disputes among the Israelites, Jethro advises him to delegate chiefs to judge all except the most difficult of cases. Moses follows Jethro's advice, and Jethro returns to his own land in Midian.

On the third new moon after the Exodus, the people enter the wilderness of Sinai and encamp by Mount Sinai. God tells the people through Moses that if they obey God's teachings, they will be for God a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation." The people respond as one, saying, "All that the Lord has spoken we will do."

After the Israelites wait a period of three days for purification, God appears to them in a cloud of smoke and fire on the mountain and proclaims the Ten Commandments.

The people fear that they will die if they hear God speak or if they speak to God themselves; so they ask Moses to be God's spokesperson in the future. God tells Moses to remind the Israelites that they themselves had heard God speak. Therefore they are to hold fast in their resolve to worship no idols. God commands them to build an altar of earth and to bring sacrifices.
(Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kaden)

For your Shabbat table:

• Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, suggests that he set up a system for judging disputes so that Moses does not have to decide everything. We don't always get along with the people around us, and it isn't always easy to solve problems.  How do you resolve a problem you might have with a friend or classmate? Is it easier to find a solution when there is a third person helping you resolve a difference?
• Through Moses, God tells the Israelites that if they obey his laws, they will become a "holy nation." Why is it important to follow rules? What does it mean to be holy?
• The Israelites receive the Ten Commandments during Parshat Yitro - why do you think we have a set of ten when there are a total of 613 commandments? Does this mean those ten are the most important?
• One of the Ten Commandments is to "honor your father and mother" - what does this mean to you? How do you honor your parents?

Take a closer look at what we can learn about this week's parsha through this video:

A Pillar of Cloud, a Pillar of Fire

Parshat B'Shallach
Exodus 13:17-17:16

This week's parsha picks up where we left off last week with the escape of
the Jews from Egypt. Once Pharaoh okay'd their "release," the Israelites set off using God's somewhat faulty GPS - instead of taking the more direct route, which would have set them on a path through the land of the Philistines - ripe for a potential conflict, they took a more leisurely route by way of the wilderness at the Sea of Reeds. Along their way, God went before them in a pillar of cloud by day, the better with which to guide them along their way, and a pillar of fire by night, to give them light.

Meanwhile, God hardens Pharaoh's heart, and the Egyptians pursue the escaping slaves. As Pharaoh drew near the encamped slaves, the Israelites caught sight of their advancing foe, and after arriving at the Sea of Reeds, an seemingly insurmountable obstacle, the people begin to express great doubt and fear. Moses lifts up his rod and holds his arm over the sea, and God drove back with a strong wind and turned the sea into dry ground. Once the Israelites reach the opposite side of the sea, the waters close in over their foes, drowning all of the Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and horsemen. Now convinced of the greatness of God, the Israelites, led by Moses and Miriam, sing songs of praise.

As they continue along their way, the Israelites fall victim to great discontent - they go without water for three days before Moses is able to provide adequate drinking water. Shortly thereafter, a hungry people begin to grumble against Moses and Aaron, and they are later given food and manna. On the sixth day, they gather a double portion, for there would be no manna given on Shabbat.

The parsha concludes with an interesting story. After camping at Rephidim, the Israelites are attacked by their first enemy - the Amalekites. Moses instructs Joshua to lead the army, and Moses goes up to a nearby hill with Aaron and Hur - when he reaches the top of the mountain, Moses lifts the rod of God up high, causing the Israelites' army to begin to succeed against the Amalekites. However, when Moses grows weary and lowers his arm, the Amalekites begin to prevail. Moses sits upon a stone and his two companions sit on either side of him; they help to support his arms and Amalek is defeated. God instructs Moses to record these events and to remember Amalek as Israeli's eternal enemy.

For your Shabbat table:

• How do you think the Israelites felt when they left Israel?
• After the Israelites leave Egypt, it says that God hardens Pharaoh's heart, causing him to give chase after his escaping slaves. Why would God do this?
• When the Israelites made it to the other side of the Sea of Reeds, they break out into jubilant song. Why do you think they decided to sing? How can a song help you to express emotions better than simply speaking? What are other ways you use to express yourself?
• The Torah includes the Song of the Sea in this portion - take a look at the image of how it is written (at the top of this post). What is unique about this passage? Why do you think it is written that way?
• The Torah tells us that several times during this portion of their journey (which ultimately took 40 years!), the Israelites grumbled against Moses and God. Has there been a time when you've "grumbled" against someone? Why? How did others react?
• At the end of the portion, it takes two others, Aaron and Hur, to help Moses raise his arms so that the Israelites would prevail over the Amalekites. Why do you think a great man like Moses couldn't do it by himself?

This week's Torah cartoon: