- Why does the Torah say “וַיַּקְהֵל מֹשֶׁה” (Moses assembled)?
Because Moses gathered the people by command, not physically. The verb is causative (hif’il). This assembly took place the day after Yom Kippur, when Moses descended from Sinai.
- Why is the command of Shabbat stated before the Mishkan instructions?
To teach that the construction of the Mishkan does not override Shabbat.
- Why is kindling fire singled out among Shabbat prohibitions?
According to some Sages, to show it is punished by lashes rather than death; according to others, to teach that each category of labor is a separate prohibition.
- What does “זֶה הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר צִוָּה ה׳” mean?
This is what God commanded Moses to say to Israel.
- Why are donors called “נְדִיב לִבּוֹ” (generous of heart)?
Because the heart motivates the donation, therefore generosity is attributed to the heart.
- Who are the “חַכְמֵי־לֵב” (wise-hearted)?
Those endowed with wisdom to perform the sacred craftsmanship of the Mishkan.
- What is meant by “הַמִּשְׁכָּן,” “אָהֳלוֹ,” and “מִכְסֵהוּ”?
- Mishkan: the inner linen tapestries
- Ohel: the goats’ hair covering
- Mikhseh: the outer covering of ram and tachash skins
- What does “פָּרֹכֶת הַמָּסָךְ” mean?
A curtain that serves as a partition or shield, whether above or at the side.
- Why is the showbread called “לֶחֶם הַפָּנִים”?
Because it had surfaces on both sides, shaped like an open box with faces in opposite directions.
- What are the “נֵרֹתֶיהָ” of the Menorah?
The bowls that hold the oil and wicks.
- Why did making the oil for the Menorah require wisdom?
Its production differed from ordinary oil, yielding oil that was crushed and pure, as described in Menachot.
- What is “מָסַךְ הַפֶּתַח”?
The entrance curtain on the eastern side, where there were no planks.
- Why is the word “חָצֵר” treated as both masculine and feminine?
Because Scripture sometimes treats the same noun in both grammatical genders.
- What are “יִתְדֹת” and “מֵיתְרֵיהֶם”?
- Yetedot: stakes driven into the ground
- Meitrehem: ropes used to tie the curtains
- What are “בִּגְדֵי הַשְּׂרָד”?
Cloths used to cover the sacred vessels during travel.
- What does “עַל הַנָּשִׁים” mean?
The men came with and closely following the women.
- What is a “כּוּמָז”?
A golden ornament worn over a woman’s private parts. The Sages explain the word as an acronym referring to a place of immorality.
- What was special about the women spinning the goat hair?
They spun the hair directly from the living goats, an exceptional skill.
- Why is a letter missing from the word “וְהַנְּשִׂאִם” (the princes)?
Because the princes delayed their contribution, intending to complete what was lacking. Since nothing was missing, their title is written defectively as a subtle rebuke.
- How were the donations given?
Every man and woman brought offerings willingly, for all the work God commanded through Moses.
