Video Study for Parsha Vayakhel-Pekudei : Hashem Commands Jews Act

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Shalom JTF Readers,

This week we are reading the double portion of Vayakhel & Pekudei. Continuing the narrative of the previous few portions the Torah expounds on the Jewish people actually carrying out the commandments which were read in Terumah, Tetzaveh, and Ki Tisa.

The commandment of observing Shabbat is given again in this portion (and it was in last weeks also) in order to get across the idea that 'work' which we are commanded to abstain from (the 39 prohibited forms of work) is essentially the work required to build the Mishkan (Tabernacle).

There are many other lessons learned from this double portion....

From Chabad.org's 'Parsha in a Nutshell' @ http://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/2843/jewish/Vayakhel-Pekudei-in-a-Nutshell.htm

Moses assembles the people of Israel and reiterates to them the commandment to observe the Shabbat. He then conveys G‑d’s instructions regarding the making of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). The people donate the required materials in abundance, bringing gold, silver and copper; blue-, purple- and red-dyed wool; goat hair, spun linen, animal skins, wood, olive oil, herbs and precious stones. Moses has to tell them to stop giving.

A team of wise-hearted artisans make the Mishkan and its furnishings (as detailed in the previous Torah readings of Terumah, Tetzaveh and Ki Tisa): three layers of roof coverings; 48 gold-plated wall panels, and 100 silver foundation sockets; the parochet (veil) that separates between the Sanctuary’s two chambers, and the masach (screen) that fronts it; the Ark and its cover with the Cherubim; the table and its showbread; the seven-branched menorah with its specially prepared oil; the golden altar and the incense burned on it; the anointing oil; the outdoor altar for burnt offerings and all its implements; the hangings, posts and foundation sockets for the courtyard; and the basin and its pedestal, made out of copper mirrors.

An accounting is made of the gold, silver and copper donated by the people for the making of the Mishkan. Betzalel, Aholiav and their assistants make the eight priestly garments—the ephod, breastplate, cloak, crown, turban, tunic, sash and breeches—according to the specifications communicated to Moses in the Parshah of Tetzaveh.

The Mishkan is completed and all its components are brought to Moses, who erects it and anoints it with the holy anointing oil, and initiates Aaron and his four sons into the priesthood. A cloud appears over the Mishkan, signifying the divine presence that has come to dwell within it.

Rabbi Richman, of the Temple Institute, just posted his Parsha commentary 4 hours ago...

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Last Shabbat I related something to my rabbi which I noticed several years ago. Whenever we learn about the Ketoret (the incense) I remember a fact that Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) used to advertise that the special recipe used by the 'Kernel' involved 11 herbs and spices which coincidentally is the number of spices in the Holy Incense.

I always wonder if the #11 was chosen because of this...


Composition and Making of Ketoret [Incense]

Making Ketoret
The meaning of the word "Ketoret": Keritot 6b
The Ketoret is made inside the Beit haMikdash: Keritot 6a
Chanting while making the ketoret: Keritot 6b
Giving the excess ketoret to the craftsmen of the Beit haMikdash as their salary, and then buying it back from the half-shekel: Keritot 6a
The 368 units made in each batch of Ketoret: Keritot 6a
Putting the ketoret back for re-grinding in the summertime or in the rainy season, to avoid mold and to strengthen the scent: Keritot 6b [see Kesef Mishneh to Hilchot Klei haMikdash 2:7]
Extra grinding for the Ketoret of Yom Kippur: Keritot 6b


Make-up
Moshe was informed of the need to use 11 ingredients, at Sinai: Keritot 6b
The complete formula for the Ketoret: Keritot 6a
How we know which spices are in the Ketoret: Keritot 6b
The Ketoret was taught to Moshe as a gift by the Angel of Death at the Giving of the Torah: Shabbat 89a
The "Maaleh Ashan [Raiser of Smoke]" Ingredient: Yoma 53a
"Mor Deror," which is "Mara Dachya" in Aramaic, is the "Head" of the Spices of the Ketoret. It is also the root of the name of "Mordechai" in the Purim story: Megillah 10b
The meaning of "Yein Kafrisin": Rashi Keritot 6a
The meaning of "Borit Karshina": Rashi Keritot 6a
The need for Chelbanah, with its foul smell, to symbolize people who have sinned: Keritot 6b


Making Ketoret for the wrong reasons
Making it personally for practice, or to give it over to the community for use: Pesachim 26a; Keritot 5a, 6a
Making Ketoret for personal use: Pesachim 26a; Keritot 5a, 6a
Lashes for making Ketoret for personal use: Makkot 13a
The penalty of kareit [Divine excommunication] or bringing a korban chatat [sin offering] for making Ketoret for personal use: Keritot 2a
Making a half-measure of Ketoret for personal use: Keritot 5a, 6b


Concern for inappropriate personal use of the Ketoret
Smelling Ketoret which was made for communal use: Pesachim 26a; Keritot 6a
Smelling Ketoret after the smoke has already risen, fulfilling its mitzvah: Pesachim 26a; Keritot 6a


Errors
Ketoret that is missing an element: Yoma 53a; Keritot 6a
Ketoret that contains honey: Keritot 6a

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Rabbi Spalter gives a Chabad lesson on our portion.

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Now for more Chassidishe Torah, this time with a Breslov flavor. From the pleasant rabbi Nossan Maimon...

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Leila Tov everyone... (I love to say Leila these days because one of my cats is named Leila.)....

Here is a long (59m) video from Rabbi Trugman...














Guess which one is Leila?



These sisters really love each other: