Q&A on Rashi – Shemot 40
- When was the Tabernacle commanded to be erected?
On the first day of Nisan, the first month.
- What does “וְסַכֹּתָ עַל־הָאָרֹן” mean?
It means shielding, not covering. The Curtain served as a partition, not a physical covering over the Ark.
- What is meant by “וְעָרַכְתָּ אֶת־עֶרְכּוֹ” regarding the Table?
It refers to arranging the two stacks of the showbread.
- What is the purpose of anointing the Tabernacle and its utensils?
To sanctify them and thereby render them holy.
- Why is the Altar called “holy of holies”?
Because after its anointing, it attained the highest level of sanctity.
- How were Aaron and his sons prepared for service?
They were brought to the Courtyard, immersed in water, clothed in priestly garments, and anointed.
- What does “an everlasting priesthood” mean?
Their anointing established the priesthood for all future generations.
- Did Moses carry out the instructions precisely?
Yes. Moses did exactly as God commanded him, without deviation.
- When was the Tabernacle actually erected?
On the first day of the first month of the second year.
- What does “וַיִּפְרֹשׂ אֶת־הָאֹהֶל” refer to?
It refers specifically to spreading the sheets of goat hair.
- What is “הָעֵדֻת” placed in the Ark?
The Tablets of the Covenant.
- Why is the Ark screened again after already being placed?
To fulfill God’s command that the Curtain separate and shield the Ark of Testimony.
- What does “יֶרֶךְ הַמִּשְׁכָּן” mean?
“Yerekh” means side, as translated by Onkelos, just as a thigh is on the side of a person.
- Where was the Table placed?
On the northern side, meaning the northern half of the width of the Tabernacle.
- When was the incense burned on the golden Altar?
In the morning and in the afternoon, corresponding to the cleaning and lighting of the lamps.
- Who offered the daily sacrifice on the day the Tabernacle was erected?
Moses himself, even on the eighth day of inauguration, in addition to the offerings brought by Aaron and his sons.
- What does “הָעֹלָה” refer to?
The daily burnt offering.
- What does “וְאֵת הַמִּנְחָה” refer to?
The grain-offering that accompanied the daily offering, together with its libation.
- Who washed from the Laver on that day?
Moses, Aaron, and Aaron’s sons—all were equal in priestly status on the eighth day.
- How does Onkelos translate “וְרָחֲצוּ מִמֶּנּוּ”?
As “they would sanctify themselves from it,” meaning ritual washing.
- What does “וּבְקָרְבָתָם” mean?
It is equivalent to “when they drew near”.
- What does it mean that Moses “completed the work”?
That all construction and installation of the Tabernacle was finished.
- Why could Moses not enter the Tent of Meeting?
Because the cloud rested upon it, and God’s glory filled the Tabernacle.
- How is this reconciled with verses that say Moses did enter the Tent?
As long as the cloud was present, he could not enter; when it departed, he could enter and speak with God.
- What determined when the Israelites traveled?
The movement of the cloud above the Tabernacle.
- What does “בְּכָל־מַסְעֵיהֶם” mean?
Every encampment is also called a “journey,” since from there they would later travel onward.
- Why are encampments called journeys (מַסָּעוֹת)?
Because each stop is a stage of the journey, as seen elsewhere in Scripture.
