40 Lessons
Pkudei What Is the Worth of Shiny Gold?
If the Tabernacle had been built and the Shechina would not have dwelled in it, it would have been like a body without a soul. All its beauty and glory would be pointless; all the gold, silver, and precious stones adorning it would have been mere external trappings - shiny, but without their true meaning and essence...What worth is there to wealth and gold and financial stability and a large house, if the Divine Presence does not dwell within it...
Pkudei Have You Scheduled It In??
Anyone who has learned anything about using time efficiently and getting things done, knows that if you want to advance a certain matter, you must allocate a specific time for it. Important things can't be left for "in between," just by the by. This concept is found, fascinatingly, in the Torah portions of these weeks discussing the construction of the Tabernacle, the mishkan.
Pkudei Did they all have the Holy Spirit?
Why is the verse describing the commandments of God to Moses about the construction of the Tabernacle repeated so many times? What was Betzalel's argument with Moshe? And how did they actually build the temple in such detail when not everything was written in advance?
Parashat Hashavua Mishkan – The Great Travel Guide?
the sefer ends by discussing that the cloud stayed on top of the Mishkan until it was time for Bnei Yisrael to move. The movement of the cloud as a sign to travel is discussed at length, where it “should be” – in Sefer Bamidbar. So why does it conclude Sefer Shmot?
Pkudei Accounting Practices
Most people view it as bordering on boring. Nevertheless, there is no commercial enterprise that can successfully exist without good and accurate accounting practices.
Pkudei Integrity in Public Life
Our Parashah repeats the process of the building of the Mishkan a few times. What is the reason for this repetition?
Pkudei A Jewish Woman's Power
We often refer to God as "He" - but God's presence on earth, the "Shechina" is a femine noun. "He" is "She."
Vayakhel Celebrate
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.
Parashat Hashavua Fighting a Dangerous Foe – Chillul Hashem
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.)
Parashat Hashavua Do Your Part
“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).
