Daily Chumash & Rashi – Parshas Teruma Sheiyni: The Shulchan (Monday, 29th Shevat)

📘 Rashi Q&A – Shemot 25:17–30

Kapores (Cover)

Q1. What is the Kapores according to Rashi?

A: A cover placed over the Ark, like a board closing its open top.

Q2. How thick was the Kapores?

A: One handbreadth, as taught by Chazal.

Q3. Why were the Kapores dimensions identical to those of the Aron?

A: Because it rested directly on top of the Aron’s walls.

Keruvim

Q4. What did the Keruvim look like according to Rashi?

A: They had the face of a child.

Q5. What does “miksha” mean in Rashi?

A: Beaten or hammered from one piece (Old French: “batediz”).

Q6. How were the Keruvim made?

A: Not separately and attached; they were hammered out from the gold of the Kapores itself.

Q7. Why does the Torah say “one Keruv from one end”?

A: To prevent the misunderstanding that there were two Keruvim on one side.

Q8. In what position were the Keruvim’s wings?

A: Spread upward and raised over their heads.

Q9. What direction did the Keruvim face?

A: They faced each other, and their faces inclined toward the Kapores.

Placement of the Luchos

Q10. Why is “place the Testimony in the Ark” repeated?

A: To teach that the Luchos must be placed inside before placing the Kapores on top.

Hashem Speaking to Moshe

Q11. From where did Hashem speak to Moshe?

A: From above the Kapores, between the Keruvim.

Q12. How does Rashi resolve the contradiction with verses saying Hashem spoke from the Tent of Meeting?

A: The voice descended from Heaven to between the Keruvim and was then heard by Moshe in the Tent of Meeting.

The Shulchan (Table)

Q13. What does Rashi explain “komaso” refers to?

A: The total height of the table — legs plus tabletop thickness.

Q14. What does the gold crown on the Shulchan symbolize?

A: The “crown of royalty.”

Q15. What is the “misgeres” according to Rashi?

A: The frame—either above the table edge or beneath between the legs.

Q16. Where were the rings for the Shulchan placed?

A: On the legs, opposite the frame.

Q17. What does “levattim” mean?

A: Holders (“houses”) for the poles.

Q18. What is the meaning of “venisa bam”?

A: The table “will be carried with them”—a passive verb (nif’al).

Lechem HaPanim (Showbread) Equipment

Q19. What were the “ke’arosav”?

A: Gold molds matching the bread’s shape.

Q20. Why was the bread called “Lechem HaPanim”?

A: Because it had two “faces”—upright sides facing opposite directions.

Q21. What were “kaposav”?

A: Bowls for holding the frankincense.

Q22. How many bowls were there for the frankincense?

A: Two—one for each stack of bread.

Q23. What were “kesososav” according to Rashi?

A: Hollow half‑tubes used to separate the loaves so air could circulate.

Q24. Why were the tubes necessary?

A: To prevent the bread from becoming moldy.

Q25. How many tubes were placed above each loaf?

A: Three.

Q26. What were “menakiyosav” according to Onkelos?

A: Supporting frames (“its bearers”).

Q27. What purpose did these supporting frames serve?

A: To hold up the tubes and prevent upper loaves from crushing lower ones.

Q28. What alternate interpretation do some sages give for “kesososav”?

A: They were supporting frames (to stiffen the bread).

Q29. What alternate interpretation do some sages give for “menakiyosav”?

A: Tubes that kept the bread “clean,” i.e., prevented mold.

Q30. What does “asher yussach bahen” mean?

A: The tubes served as coverings/screens over the bread.