The Significance of Completing the Mishkan

Parashat Hashavua: Counting and Soldiers – Then and Now

Mishkan of dreams

The Challenges of Time and Unity – A Frank Discussion

How to Manage Public Funds

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...

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.

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?

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?

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.

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?

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."

The Mishkan and much more

Select meanings and secrets of the Mishkan are revealed

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.

On Jewish Character

Pekudei 5779

Pekudei 5779

WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS

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.)

Mishkan Of Dreams

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).

VAYAKHEL – PEKUDEI