Daily Chumash & Rashi Parshas Ki Sisa – Rishon: The Machatzis Hashekel and census counting; The Kiyor, The Shemen Hamishcha, The Ketores, Appointment of Betzalel, Keeping Shabbos (Sunday, 12th Adar)

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Parshas Ki Sisa

Pesukim: 139 [Siman: חננאל]

Haftorah: Melachim 1 18:20[1]-39

 

 

Number of Mitzvos:

There are Nine Mitzvos in Parshas Ki Sisa. Four positive commands and five negative command.

 

A. Positive commands:

1. Mitzvah 105/Positive 44: For every Jew above age twenty to donate a half Shekel.

2. Mitzvah 106/Positive 45: For the Kohanim to wash their hands and feet upon entering the Temple and serving Hashem there.

3. Mitzvah 107/Positive 46: To make the anointing oil in the prescription given by the Torah.

4. Mitzvah 112/Positive 47: To stop working the land during Shemita.

 

B. Negative commands:

1.      Mitzvah 108/Negative 62: Not to anoint with the anointing oil anyone other than a Kohen.

2.      Mitzvah 109/Negative 63: Not to make a replica of the anointing oil.

3.      Mitzvah 110/Negative 64: Not to make a replica of the incense.

4.      Mitzvah 111/Negative 65: Not to eat from offerings given to idols.

5.      Mitzvah 113/Negative 66: Not to eat meat and milk that were cooked together.

 

Rishon

  1. The census taking and Machatzis Hashekel donation:
    • Hashem spoke to Moshe saying: “When you take a census of the Jewish people, each man is to give Hashem an atonement of his soul, in order so there should not be a plague amongst them when they are counted.”
    • What to give: All those who are counted are to give a half shekel of the holy shekel which is worth twenty Geira. It is a donation to Hashem.
    • From what age: Everyone from twenty years and up is to give the donation to Hashem to atone for their souls.
    • Its use: The money is to be used for the Temple service and be a remembrance for the Jewish people to atone for their souls.

 

  1. The Kiyor:
    • Hashem spoke to Moshe saying: You shall make a Kiyor sink and pedestal for washing. You are to fill it with water.
    • Material: The Kiyur and its pedestal is to be made of copper.
    • Location: It is to be placed between the Ohel Moed and altar.
    • Its use to wash the hands and feet: The Kohanim are to use the Kiyor to wash their hands and feet upon entering the Ohel Moed, or upon doing service on the altar. This needs to be done so they don’t die in their Avoda.

  1. The Shemen Hamishcha:
    • The ingredients: Hashem spoke to Moshe saying: Take the following prime spices and make the anointing oil:
      1. Pure myrrh, 500 Shekel’s weight.
      2. Aromatic cinnamon, 250 shekel’s weight, brought twice [for a total of 500].
      3. Cane of aromatic spice, 250 shekels weight
      4. The Kiddah root, 500 Shekel’s weight.
      5. A Hin of olive oil.
  • The above ingredients are to be mixed by a spice blender and be turned into a sacred anointing oil.
  • Its use-What is anointed with it: The Ohel Moed and the Aron is to be anointed using this oil. Likewise, the Shulchan, Menorah, gold and copper Mizbeiach, and all their accessory vessels are to be anointed with this oil. The Kiyor and its pedestal is to be anointed with this oil. Through doing so, the vessels will become holy and anything that touches them will become consecrated. Likewise, Aaron and his sons are to be anointed with this oil and they will thus become consecrated to serve me as Kohanim.
  • Not to use it or make a replica: Tell the Jewish people that no man may anoint himself with the above oil and no man may make a replica of the above oil. Anyone who makes a replica of it or who uses it on a non-Kohen, will be cut off from his nation [i.e. Kareis].

  1. The Ketores:
    • The ingredients: Hashem spoke to Moshe saying: “Take the following prime spices and make the Ketores:”
      1. Nataf/Stacte.
      2. Shecheiles/onycha.
  • Chelbana/galbanum
  1. Spices and pure frankincense.
  • All the above ingredients are to be of equal weight. The above ingredients are to be mixed by a spice blender and be turned into the Ketores incense. Some of it is to be finely ground, and some of it is to be placed before the Eidus, within the Ohel Moed. It shall be to you a holy of holies.
  • Not to make a replica: One may not create a replica of the Ketores for the sake of smelling it, under the penalty of Kareis.

  1. Appointment of Betzalel to build the Mishkan.
  • Hashem spoke to Moshe saying: “I have appointed Betzalel the son of Uri of the tribe of Yehuda to perform all the work of building the Mishkan and its accessories. I have filled him with wisdom and understanding to perform all the work. I have appointed to work with him Ohaliav the son of Achisamach from the tribe of Dan. They are to make the Ohel Moed, the Aron, the Kapores, the vessels of the Ohel, the Shulchan, the Menorah, the Ketores altar, the Olah altar, the Kiyor, and all their accessories. They are to make the priestly garments, the anointing oil and Ketores, as I commanded.”
  1. Guard the Shabbos:
    • A covenant between us and G-d: Hashem spoke to Moshe saying: “Tell the Jewish people that they are to guard the Shabbos as it is a sign and covenant between Me and them for all generations so that they know that I am Hashem who sanctifies you.”
    • Punishment for desecration: One who desecrates the Shabbos is liable for death and is liable for Kareis, to be cut off from the nation.
    • In commemoration of creation: One is to work six days and on the seventh day it is to be a complete rest, as in six days the world was created and on the seventh day I rested.

[1] So is followed by Sepharadi communities and Chabad. However, Ashkenazi communities begin reading from verse 18:1.

 

📘 Rashi Q&A — Shemot 30:11–38

 

30:12 — The Census and Plague

Q1. What does “כִּי תִשָּׂא” mean according to Rashi?

A: To take/obtain a number; do not count heads directly, but count via half‑shekels.

 

Q2. Why must Israel not be counted directly?

A: Direct counting invites the evil eye and can cause a plague, as in David’s time.

 

30:13 — The Half‑Shekel

Q3. What does “זֶה יִתְּנוּ” teach?

A: God showed Moses a fiery half‑shekel coin and said, “This they must give.”

 

Q4. Why does the verse say “הָעֹבֵר עַל־הַפְּקֻדִים”?

A: Counting is done by people passing before the counter.

 

Q5. What is “שֶׁקֶל הַקֹּדֶשׁ”?

A: The sacred shekel weight used by the Torah.

 

Q6. How much is a shekel in gerah?

A: 20 gerah.

 

Q7. What is a “גֵּרָה”?

A: A ma’ah.

 

Q8. How is the sacred shekel valued?

A: Four zuz; originally five ma’ah per zuz, later increased to six.

 

30:14–15 — Who Gives and How Much

Q9. Who must give the half‑shekel?

A: Males 20 years old and over.

 

Q10. What does this teach about those under 20?

A: They are not counted and do not serve in the army.

 

 

Q11. Why must rich and poor give equally?

A: The atonement requires equality—no more, no less than a half‑shekel.

 

30:15 — Three Contributions

Q12. What does “לְכַפֵּר עַל נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם” mean (first explanation)?

A: To prevent a plague resulting from the census.

 

Q13. What are the three contributions alluded to?

A:

  1. Silver bases (half‑shekel census after the Calf),
  2. Communal offerings (annual half‑shekel),
  3. Freewill Tabernacle donations.

 

Q14. Which contribution effects atonement through offerings?

A: The second (annual communal offerings).

 

30:16 — Two Censuses

Q15. What does the atonement money fund here?

A: The silver bases of the Tabernacle.

 

Q16. Why is this census not the one in Bamidbar?

A: The Tabernacle was erected earlier; the censuses occurred at different times.

 

Q17. How could both censuses total 603,550?

A: Ages are counted from Tishrei, years from Nisan; both censuses occurred within the same age‑year.

 

30:18–21 — The Laver

Q18. What is a “כִּיּוֹר”?

A: A large urn with spouts for water.

 

Q19. What is “וְכַנּוֹ”?

A: Its stand.

 

Q20. Where was the Laver placed?

A: Between the Tent and the Outer Altar, slightly south, not blocking.

 

Q21. How did priests wash hands and feet?

A: Simultaneously—right hand with right foot, left with left.

 

Q22. What is the penalty for serving without washing?

A: Death (implied by “they will not die”).

 

30:23–25 — Anointing Oil

Q23. What does “בְּשָׂמִים רֹאשׁ” mean?

A: Choice/valuable spices.

 

Q24. Why specify “fragrant cinnamon”?

A: To require high‑quality bark.

 

 

Q25. Why is cinnamon brought in two halves?

A: A decree to add small overweights at each weighing.

 

Q26. What is “קְנֵה־בֶּשֶׂם”?

A: Aromatic cane (specified to exclude non‑spice cane).

 

Q27. How much is a hin?

A: Twelve log.

 

Q28. How was the oil prepared (two opinions)?

A:

  • R. Meir: Cook spices in oil.
  • R. Yehudah: Soak spices in water first, then absorb scent into oil.

 

Q29. What does “רֹקַח מִרְקַחַת” mean?

A: A skillfully blended compound.

 

Q30. How were anointings performed?

A: In the shape of a Greek כ, except kings (crown‑like).

 

30:26–30 — What Is Anointed

Q31. What is sanctified by anointing?

A: The Tent, Ark, Table, Menorah, Incense Altar, Outer Altar, Laver, and priests.

 

Q32. What does “Anything that touches them will become sanctified” mean?

A: Items fit for service become holy and subject to sacrificial laws.

 

30:31–33 — Prohibitions

Q33. What does “לְדֹרֹתֵיכֶם” imply about the oil?

A: The oil will still exist in the future.

 

Q34. What is forbidden regarding the oil?

A: Personal use and replicating exact proportions.

 

Q35. Who is liable—smearer or blender?

A: The blender of the exact formula.

 

Q36. What does “זָר” mean here?

A: One unauthorized for priestly or royal anointing.

 

30:34–38 — The Incense

Q37. What is “נָטָף”?

A: Balsam sap (theriac/gum).

 

Q38. What is “שְׁחֵלֶת”?

A: Onycha (smooth like a fingernail).

 

Q39. Why include galbanum though it smells bad?

A: To teach including sinners in communal prayer.

 

 

Q40. How many incense spices are there?

A: Eleven.

 

Q41. What does “בַּד בְּבַד יִהְיֶה” mean?

A: The four named spices are equal in weight.

 

Q42. What does “מְמֻלָּח” mean?

A: Well‑blended.

 

Q43. What is forbidden regarding incense?

A: Making it for personal enjoyment (to smell).

 

📘 Rashi Q&A — Shemot 31:1–17

 

31:2–6 — Betzalel and the Artisans

Q44. What does “קָרָאתִי בְשֵׁם” mean?

A: God singled out Betzalel for His work.

 

Q45. What are חָכְמָה, תְּבוּנָה, דַּעַת?

A:

  • Wisdom: learned from others,
  • Understanding: deduced independently,
  • Knowledge: Divine inspiration.

 

Q46. What does “לַחְשֹׁב מַחֲשָׁבוֹת” mean?

A: Performing woven designs.

 

Q47. How does Onkelos distinguish crafts?

A: Lapidary for gems; carpenter for wood.

 

Q48. What does “לְמַלֹּאת” mean in gem‑setting?

A: Filling the setting to fit the gem’s size and thickness.

 

31:7–11 — Items to Be Made

Q49. What does “אָרוֹן לָעֵדוּת” mean?

A: The Ark to house the Tablets.

 

Q50. Why is the Menorah called “pure”?

A: It is made of pure gold.

 

Q51. What are “בִּגְדֵי הַשְּׂרָד” (Rashi’s view)?

A: Packing cloths for transporting vessels, not priestly garments.

 

Q52. Why not priestly garments?

A: Linen isn’t mentioned; priestly garments always include linen.

 

31:12–17 — Shabbat

Q53. Why is Shabbat repeated after Tabernacle commands?

A: To teach Shabbat is not overridden by Tabernacle work.

 

 

Q54. What does “אַךְ” signify?

A: A limitation—exclude Shabbat from building days.

 

Q55. Why is Shabbat a “sign”?

A: It shows God sanctifies Israel.

 

Q56. What are the penalties for desecration?

A:

  • Death with witnesses and warning,
  • Karet without warning.

 

Q57. What does “שַׁבַּת שַׁבָּתוֹן” teach?

A: Complete rest, even food preparation (unlike festivals).

 

Q58. What does “וַיִּנָּפַשׁ” mean?

A: God rested—language adapted for human understanding.

Daily Chumash & Rashi Parshas Ki Sisa – Shishi: List of Mitzvos

March 6, 2026 No Comments

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Daily Chumash & Rashi Parshas Ki Sisa – Rishon: The Machatzis Hashekel and census counting; The Kiyor, The Shemen Hamishcha, The Ketores, Appointment of Betzalel, Keeping Shabbos (Sunday, 12th Adar)

March 1, 2026 No Comments

Post Views: 1,328 *The article below is an excerpt from the above Sefer *As an Amazon Associate I earn from  qualifying purchases. Donate Buy in Paperback or Kindle Buy on Apple Books Purchase on our website Sign up for Daily Distribution Sponsor an Episode Parshas Ki Sisa Pesukim: 139 [Siman:

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About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

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