Parashat Terumah (Ex. 25:1-27:19) פָּרָשַׁת תְּרוּמָה
INTRODUCTION:
Parashat Terumah (Ex. 25:1-27:19) contains the following sidrot:
Sixty-Fifth Sidra՚, donations for the Mishkan (Tabernacle), the ark, the table, and the menorah;
Sixty-Sixth Sidra՚, the Mishkan - coverings, and the Mishkan - framework;
Sixty-Seventh Sidra՚, the curtain, the altar, and the courtyard.
SYNOPSIS:
Sixty-Fifth Sidra՚ (Ex. 25:1-40): Donations for the Mishkan (Tabernacle), the ark, the table, and the menorah.
Parashat Terumah opens with YHWH instructing Moses to tell the Children of Israel that if any of them desire to make a donation [תְּרוּמָה] (for the construction of the Mishkan) then they should bring any of the following items: Metals of gold, silver, and bronze; yarn of blue, purple, and scarlet byssus (fine linen); goats'-hair; rams' skins dyed red; fine leather skins; acacia wood; oil for lighting; spices for anointing oil and for fragrant incense; as well as semi-precious stones. "And they shall make Me a Holy-place; and I shall abide amidst them. According to all that I showed you, the pattern of the tabernacle [מִשְׁכָּן - dwelling place], and the pattern of all its vessels; thus you shall make it" (Ex. 25:8-9).
An ark or chest is to be made and the Testimony (Ten Sayings) is to be placed inside. The ark/chest is to be made of acacia wood - a hard wood - and is to measure; 2.5 cubits in length, by 1.5 cubits in width, by 1.5 cubits in height (112.5 cm x 67.5 cm x 67.5 cm). It is to be overlaid both inside and outside with pure gold and is to have a band of gold all around. On the four feet of the ark/chest are to be place four rings of gold - two rings on each flank. Poles of acacia wood overlaid with gold are to be put into the rings so that the ark/chest can be carried; however the poles are not to be removed even when the ark/chest is at rest. A purgation cover of pure gold is to be made for the ark/chest and is to measure; 2.5 cubits in length, by 1.5 cubits wide (the depth is not provided so it was probably not that deep). It is to have two Keruvim[1] of gold hammered work, one at either end of the purgation cover. The wings of the Keruvim are to spread upwards i.e. straight out in front of them, while covering the purgation cover. The faces of the Keruvim are to face toward each other; toward the purgation cover. "And I will appoint-meeting with you there, and I will speak with you from above the purgation-cover from between the two Keruvim, that are upon the Chest of the Testimony; all that I shall command you for the Children of Israel" (Ex. 25:22).
Next is the table of acacia wood, which is to measure; 2 cubits in length, by 1 cubit in width, by 1.5 cubits in height (90 cm x 45 cm x 67.5 cm). The table is to be overlaid in pure gold with a band of gold all around, as well as a border a span all around [זֶרֶת - span, is about 22.5 cm and is thus half a cubit]. Four gold rings are to be placed on the four corners where the legs are; parallel to the border. Poles of acacia wood overlaid with gold are to be housed in the rings so that the table can be carried. Dishes, ladles, jars, and bowls, from which offerings can be poured out are to be made of pure gold and placed upon the table of the Bread of the Presence.
Moses is then given instructions for the making of the menorah (candelabra), which is to be made from one hammered work of pure gold. Six shafts are to branch out from its sides; three shafts on each side. Each of the six shafts is to have three almond shaped bowls with knob and bud. On the menorah itself four almond shaped bowls with knob and bud, along with a knob beneath two of the shafts coming from it - for all six shafts. The menorah is to have seven lamps, which are to be brought up so that they light up over across its front, as well as tongs and fire-pans of pure gold. The menorah and all its implements are to be made from a kikkar [כִּכָּר - about 34.2 kg or 75 lbs] of pure gold. The pattern for all of these things is shown to Moses by YHWH on the mountain.
Sixty-Sixth Sidra՚ (Ex. 26:1-30): The Mishkan - coverings, and the Mishkan - framework.
The Mishkan is to be constructed from ten curtains. Each curtain is to be made from twisted byssus of blue, purple and scarlet yarn; with designs of keruvim. Each curtain is to measure; 28 cubits in length by 4 cubits wide (1260 cm x 180 cm). Five of the curtains are to be joined together to form one section, while the other five are to be joined together to form another section. The two sections are to be joined together by loops of blue; fifty loops placed on the edge of each of the two curtains that join the sections together. Fifty clasps of gold join the two sections together. The next covering curtain is to be made of goats' hair and is to act as a tent over the Mishkan. It is to be made from eleven curtains each curtain is to measure; 30 cubits in length by 4 cubits wide (1350 cm x 180 cm). Five of the goats' hair curtains are to be joined together to form one section, while the remaining six goats' hair curtains are to be joined together to form another section. The sixth curtain of the second section is to be doubled over at the front of the tent. Fifty loops are to be placed at the edge of each of the two curtains that join the two sections together. The two sections being joined together by fifty bronze clasps. Goats' hair is waterproof, so these curtains acted as a protective layer over the more elaborate curtains of twisted byssus. Of the remaining excess of the goats' hair curtains, half is to overhang at the back of the Mishkan, while the remnant of the length is to hang over the sides of the Mishkan - a cubit each side in order to cover it. A covering for the tent is to be made of rams' skins dyed red, and a covering above it of fine leather skins. Whether the last two coverings are meant as two extra layers to go over the Mishkan or as large leather bags into which the twisted byssus curtains and the goats' hair curtains are placed when the Mishkan is dismantled, is unsure.
The frame of the Mishkan is to be made from boards of acacia wood overlaid in gold, placed in an upright position. Each board is to measure; 10 cubits in length by 1.5 cubits in width (450 cm x 67.5 cm). The boards are to have two pegs per board, placed parallel to each other and each peg is to have beneath it a socket made from silver. There are to be twenty boards on the south side of the Mishkan, twenty on the north side, and on the side facing the sea i.e. west (the rear of the Mishkan) there are to be six boards with two extra boards for each of the corners at the rear, which are to stand flush with the corners to provide extra structural support. The south side, north side and rear of the Mishkan, are to have five bars each made of acacia wood overlaid with gold. The boards are to have rings of gold through which the bars are slotted in order to connect the boards together; the middle bar on each side is to run from end to end. The frame of the Mishkan thus measured 1350 cm x 405 cm with a height of 450 cm. "And erect the Mishkan; according to its manner, which was shown you on the mountain" (Ex. 26:30).
Sixty-Seventh Sidra՚ (Ex. 26:31-27:19): The curtain, the altar, and the courtyard.
A veil [פָּרֹכֶת] is to be made from twisted byssus of blue, purple and scarlet yarn with designs of keruvim; in other words the same as the first layer of covering curtains. It is to be put on four columns of acacia wood overlaid with gold. Each column is to have a hook of gold upon a socket of silver from which the veil is to be hung; acting as a separation between the Holy Shrine and the Holy of Holies. The Ark of the Testimony along with its purgation cover is to be brought inside the veil into the Holy of Holies. The table, mentioned previously, is to be placed outside the veil on the north side of the Mishkan, while the menorah is to be directly opposite the table on the south side of the Mishkan. There is to be a screen at the entrance of the tent made from twisted byssus of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, the work of an embroiderer. The screen is to be attached to five columns of acacia that are overlaid with gold, each column having a gold hook upon a socket of cast bronze.
A sacrificial altar is to be made of acacia wood measuring; 5 cubits in length by 5 cubits in width by 3 cubits in height (225 cm x 225 cm x 135 cm). It is to be hollow inside, overlaid in bronze, with horns on its four corners that are part of the main body. For the altar are to be made; pots for its ashes, shovels, bowls, forks, and fire pans, all from bronze. The altar is to have a grating made from a netting of bronze, which is to have four rings of bronze on its four ends. The bronze netting is to be put under the ledge of the altar, so that it reaches halfway down the altar. For carrying the altar is to have poles of acacia wood overlaid with bronze, which are to be brought through the rings - one pole on each side.
The Mishkan is to have a courtyard. The south side of the courtyard is to have hangings of twisted byssus, 100 cubits long and 5 cubits high - the entire length of the side - along with twenty columns. Each column is to have a socket of bronze, while the hooks and binders of each column are to be made of silver. The north side of the courtyard is identical to the south side. Along the width of the courtyard on the side facing the sea i.e. west side; hangings 50 cubits long with ten columns the same as the other columns. Along the width of the courtyard on the east side 50 cubits: 15 cubits of hangings with three columns on one side of the gate, and the same on the other side of the gate. The gate of the courtyard is to have four columns from which hangs a screen of 20 cubits in length made from twisted byssus of blue, purple and scarlet yarn. Thus the courtyard of the Mishkan measured; 4,500 cm x 2,250 cm with a height of 225 cm.
AUTHOR'S THOUGHTS:
Parashat Terumah is the first of several parashiyyot dealing with the structure, vessels, implements, and procedures of the Mishkan. There is a certain precision to the blueprint of the Mishkan, everything must conform to a given set of measurements - all the vessels must be just so - no deviation from the grand design is to be tolerated; but why? The answer lies in the very nature of the Mishkan. The word Mishkan [מִשְׁכָּן] comes from the root שָׁכַּן which means to abide/dwell, it is given this name because it is intended to be the abode of the divine presence - the Kavod (Glory/Honour) of YHWH - "And they shall make Me a Holy-place; and I shall abide amidst them" (Ex. 25:8). The Mishkan needed to be approached with extra reverence and in extra holiness since the Kavod of YHWH was present within. The Torah commands Israel on many an occasion, "you shall be holy for I am holy", if Israel is to maintain a high level of holiness in its mundane activities, i.e. the dietary laws etc, then how much more so in the offering of sacrifices and the worship that revolves around the Mishkan; the seat of the Kavod of YHWH. YHWH commanded Moses to instruct Aaron and his descendants in the procedures of the Mishkan, thus establishing an ordered and received system. An ordered and received system becomes fixed, and thus one of the basic functions of this ordered system was to ensure that everything connected with the Mishkan was attended to in an appropriate manner. For as long as liturgical procedures are followed rigorously and without any deviation there is little chance of excesses occurring, or esoteric cultic performances of dubious spiritual or theological value being introduced. Therefore the correct following of a precise ordered system in the worship of YHWH acts as a safeguard against idolatrous and foreign rites and rituals.
[1] Images of Keruvim were woven into the coverings of the Tabernacle and were carved on the gold plated cedar planks of the inner walls of the Temple. The Prophet Ezekiel describes these divine beings as having four wings, one single straight leg with a single calf’s hoof, human hands, and four faces; human, lion, ox, and vulture.
Parashat Terumah (Ex. 25:1-27:19) contains the following sidrot:
Sixty-Fifth Sidra՚, donations for the Mishkan (Tabernacle), the ark, the table, and the menorah;
Sixty-Sixth Sidra՚, the Mishkan - coverings, and the Mishkan - framework;
Sixty-Seventh Sidra՚, the curtain, the altar, and the courtyard.
SYNOPSIS:
Sixty-Fifth Sidra՚ (Ex. 25:1-40): Donations for the Mishkan (Tabernacle), the ark, the table, and the menorah.
Parashat Terumah opens with YHWH instructing Moses to tell the Children of Israel that if any of them desire to make a donation [תְּרוּמָה] (for the construction of the Mishkan) then they should bring any of the following items: Metals of gold, silver, and bronze; yarn of blue, purple, and scarlet byssus (fine linen); goats'-hair; rams' skins dyed red; fine leather skins; acacia wood; oil for lighting; spices for anointing oil and for fragrant incense; as well as semi-precious stones. "And they shall make Me a Holy-place; and I shall abide amidst them. According to all that I showed you, the pattern of the tabernacle [מִשְׁכָּן - dwelling place], and the pattern of all its vessels; thus you shall make it" (Ex. 25:8-9).
An ark or chest is to be made and the Testimony (Ten Sayings) is to be placed inside. The ark/chest is to be made of acacia wood - a hard wood - and is to measure; 2.5 cubits in length, by 1.5 cubits in width, by 1.5 cubits in height (112.5 cm x 67.5 cm x 67.5 cm). It is to be overlaid both inside and outside with pure gold and is to have a band of gold all around. On the four feet of the ark/chest are to be place four rings of gold - two rings on each flank. Poles of acacia wood overlaid with gold are to be put into the rings so that the ark/chest can be carried; however the poles are not to be removed even when the ark/chest is at rest. A purgation cover of pure gold is to be made for the ark/chest and is to measure; 2.5 cubits in length, by 1.5 cubits wide (the depth is not provided so it was probably not that deep). It is to have two Keruvim[1] of gold hammered work, one at either end of the purgation cover. The wings of the Keruvim are to spread upwards i.e. straight out in front of them, while covering the purgation cover. The faces of the Keruvim are to face toward each other; toward the purgation cover. "And I will appoint-meeting with you there, and I will speak with you from above the purgation-cover from between the two Keruvim, that are upon the Chest of the Testimony; all that I shall command you for the Children of Israel" (Ex. 25:22).
Next is the table of acacia wood, which is to measure; 2 cubits in length, by 1 cubit in width, by 1.5 cubits in height (90 cm x 45 cm x 67.5 cm). The table is to be overlaid in pure gold with a band of gold all around, as well as a border a span all around [זֶרֶת - span, is about 22.5 cm and is thus half a cubit]. Four gold rings are to be placed on the four corners where the legs are; parallel to the border. Poles of acacia wood overlaid with gold are to be housed in the rings so that the table can be carried. Dishes, ladles, jars, and bowls, from which offerings can be poured out are to be made of pure gold and placed upon the table of the Bread of the Presence.
Moses is then given instructions for the making of the menorah (candelabra), which is to be made from one hammered work of pure gold. Six shafts are to branch out from its sides; three shafts on each side. Each of the six shafts is to have three almond shaped bowls with knob and bud. On the menorah itself four almond shaped bowls with knob and bud, along with a knob beneath two of the shafts coming from it - for all six shafts. The menorah is to have seven lamps, which are to be brought up so that they light up over across its front, as well as tongs and fire-pans of pure gold. The menorah and all its implements are to be made from a kikkar [כִּכָּר - about 34.2 kg or 75 lbs] of pure gold. The pattern for all of these things is shown to Moses by YHWH on the mountain.
Sixty-Sixth Sidra՚ (Ex. 26:1-30): The Mishkan - coverings, and the Mishkan - framework.
The Mishkan is to be constructed from ten curtains. Each curtain is to be made from twisted byssus of blue, purple and scarlet yarn; with designs of keruvim. Each curtain is to measure; 28 cubits in length by 4 cubits wide (1260 cm x 180 cm). Five of the curtains are to be joined together to form one section, while the other five are to be joined together to form another section. The two sections are to be joined together by loops of blue; fifty loops placed on the edge of each of the two curtains that join the sections together. Fifty clasps of gold join the two sections together. The next covering curtain is to be made of goats' hair and is to act as a tent over the Mishkan. It is to be made from eleven curtains each curtain is to measure; 30 cubits in length by 4 cubits wide (1350 cm x 180 cm). Five of the goats' hair curtains are to be joined together to form one section, while the remaining six goats' hair curtains are to be joined together to form another section. The sixth curtain of the second section is to be doubled over at the front of the tent. Fifty loops are to be placed at the edge of each of the two curtains that join the two sections together. The two sections being joined together by fifty bronze clasps. Goats' hair is waterproof, so these curtains acted as a protective layer over the more elaborate curtains of twisted byssus. Of the remaining excess of the goats' hair curtains, half is to overhang at the back of the Mishkan, while the remnant of the length is to hang over the sides of the Mishkan - a cubit each side in order to cover it. A covering for the tent is to be made of rams' skins dyed red, and a covering above it of fine leather skins. Whether the last two coverings are meant as two extra layers to go over the Mishkan or as large leather bags into which the twisted byssus curtains and the goats' hair curtains are placed when the Mishkan is dismantled, is unsure.
The frame of the Mishkan is to be made from boards of acacia wood overlaid in gold, placed in an upright position. Each board is to measure; 10 cubits in length by 1.5 cubits in width (450 cm x 67.5 cm). The boards are to have two pegs per board, placed parallel to each other and each peg is to have beneath it a socket made from silver. There are to be twenty boards on the south side of the Mishkan, twenty on the north side, and on the side facing the sea i.e. west (the rear of the Mishkan) there are to be six boards with two extra boards for each of the corners at the rear, which are to stand flush with the corners to provide extra structural support. The south side, north side and rear of the Mishkan, are to have five bars each made of acacia wood overlaid with gold. The boards are to have rings of gold through which the bars are slotted in order to connect the boards together; the middle bar on each side is to run from end to end. The frame of the Mishkan thus measured 1350 cm x 405 cm with a height of 450 cm. "And erect the Mishkan; according to its manner, which was shown you on the mountain" (Ex. 26:30).
Sixty-Seventh Sidra՚ (Ex. 26:31-27:19): The curtain, the altar, and the courtyard.
A veil [פָּרֹכֶת] is to be made from twisted byssus of blue, purple and scarlet yarn with designs of keruvim; in other words the same as the first layer of covering curtains. It is to be put on four columns of acacia wood overlaid with gold. Each column is to have a hook of gold upon a socket of silver from which the veil is to be hung; acting as a separation between the Holy Shrine and the Holy of Holies. The Ark of the Testimony along with its purgation cover is to be brought inside the veil into the Holy of Holies. The table, mentioned previously, is to be placed outside the veil on the north side of the Mishkan, while the menorah is to be directly opposite the table on the south side of the Mishkan. There is to be a screen at the entrance of the tent made from twisted byssus of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, the work of an embroiderer. The screen is to be attached to five columns of acacia that are overlaid with gold, each column having a gold hook upon a socket of cast bronze.
A sacrificial altar is to be made of acacia wood measuring; 5 cubits in length by 5 cubits in width by 3 cubits in height (225 cm x 225 cm x 135 cm). It is to be hollow inside, overlaid in bronze, with horns on its four corners that are part of the main body. For the altar are to be made; pots for its ashes, shovels, bowls, forks, and fire pans, all from bronze. The altar is to have a grating made from a netting of bronze, which is to have four rings of bronze on its four ends. The bronze netting is to be put under the ledge of the altar, so that it reaches halfway down the altar. For carrying the altar is to have poles of acacia wood overlaid with bronze, which are to be brought through the rings - one pole on each side.
The Mishkan is to have a courtyard. The south side of the courtyard is to have hangings of twisted byssus, 100 cubits long and 5 cubits high - the entire length of the side - along with twenty columns. Each column is to have a socket of bronze, while the hooks and binders of each column are to be made of silver. The north side of the courtyard is identical to the south side. Along the width of the courtyard on the side facing the sea i.e. west side; hangings 50 cubits long with ten columns the same as the other columns. Along the width of the courtyard on the east side 50 cubits: 15 cubits of hangings with three columns on one side of the gate, and the same on the other side of the gate. The gate of the courtyard is to have four columns from which hangs a screen of 20 cubits in length made from twisted byssus of blue, purple and scarlet yarn. Thus the courtyard of the Mishkan measured; 4,500 cm x 2,250 cm with a height of 225 cm.
AUTHOR'S THOUGHTS:
Parashat Terumah is the first of several parashiyyot dealing with the structure, vessels, implements, and procedures of the Mishkan. There is a certain precision to the blueprint of the Mishkan, everything must conform to a given set of measurements - all the vessels must be just so - no deviation from the grand design is to be tolerated; but why? The answer lies in the very nature of the Mishkan. The word Mishkan [מִשְׁכָּן] comes from the root שָׁכַּן which means to abide/dwell, it is given this name because it is intended to be the abode of the divine presence - the Kavod (Glory/Honour) of YHWH - "And they shall make Me a Holy-place; and I shall abide amidst them" (Ex. 25:8). The Mishkan needed to be approached with extra reverence and in extra holiness since the Kavod of YHWH was present within. The Torah commands Israel on many an occasion, "you shall be holy for I am holy", if Israel is to maintain a high level of holiness in its mundane activities, i.e. the dietary laws etc, then how much more so in the offering of sacrifices and the worship that revolves around the Mishkan; the seat of the Kavod of YHWH. YHWH commanded Moses to instruct Aaron and his descendants in the procedures of the Mishkan, thus establishing an ordered and received system. An ordered and received system becomes fixed, and thus one of the basic functions of this ordered system was to ensure that everything connected with the Mishkan was attended to in an appropriate manner. For as long as liturgical procedures are followed rigorously and without any deviation there is little chance of excesses occurring, or esoteric cultic performances of dubious spiritual or theological value being introduced. Therefore the correct following of a precise ordered system in the worship of YHWH acts as a safeguard against idolatrous and foreign rites and rituals.
[1] Images of Keruvim were woven into the coverings of the Tabernacle and were carved on the gold plated cedar planks of the inner walls of the Temple. The Prophet Ezekiel describes these divine beings as having four wings, one single straight leg with a single calf’s hoof, human hands, and four faces; human, lion, ox, and vulture.