parshat Pkudei

We often refer to God as "He" - but God's presence on earth, the "Shechina" is a femine noun. "He" is "She."

Select meanings and secrets of the Mishkan are revealed

If leaders are to bring out the best in those they lead, they must give them the chance to show they are capable of great things, and then they must celebrate their achievements.

A Shiur by Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed for the weekly portion "Vayakhel- Pekudei"

A weekly shiur by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks for the weekly portion "Vayakhel- Pekudei".

The laws of chillul Hashem (avoiding desecrating Hashem’s Name, which comes in several different forms) hold an important place in our spiritual world. Being careful about them overcomes a lot of other concerns. One source that highlights the seriousness of chillul Hashem is: “Any place where there is a chillul Hashem, we do not give honor to the teacher.” (Note that in the context of that quote in Sanhedrin, the teacher whose honor was pushed aside was none other than Moshe Rabbeinu.)

“The Mishkan was erected” (Shemot 40:17). What do we learn from the use of passive voice? “Moshe said before Hashem: ‘How will I have the power to erect it?’ Hashem answered: ‘You only have to place your hand there, and it will turn out that it is erected by itself’” (Rashi 39:33).