Category Archives: Uncategorized

Moshe Relates G-d’s Words to the Nation G-d instructs Moshe to write down the Written Torah. He is not permitted to write down the Oral Torah however. And so for 40 days and 40 nights, Moshe fasted and wrote out the “covenant” (i.e. the Written Torah) and the 10 commandments. Moshe descended from the mountainContinue reading “Ki Tisa, 7th Aliyah”

G-d Warns Moshe Against Assimilation. Various Other Laws. G-d Warns Moshe Against Assimilation G-d tells Moshe that He will establish a covenant in regards to His Schina no longer resting on the non Jewish nations but only on the Jewish ones. He says that He will banish these six nations: The Amorites, the Canaanites, theContinue reading “Ki Tisa, 6th Aliyah”

The Second Tablets G-d shows Moshe a quarry of sapphire in his tent and tells him to carve out two stone tablets to replace the old ones which Moshe broke and G-d will inscribe the same words on these as were on the previous ones. He also says that the chips of sapphire left fromContinue reading “Ki Tisa, 5th Aliyah”

G-d Speaks to Moshe Regarding His Glory G-d tells Moshe that Moshe found favor in G-d’s eyes so just as Moshe requested, He will remove His Divine Presence from resting on the nations of the world*. *Side note: Bilam and Job, both of who were non-jewish prophets, did not experience G-d directly but rather viaContinue reading “Ki Tisa, 4th Aliyah”

Moshe Requests G-d, Not an Angel Moshe complains to G-d about G-d’s decision to send an angel instead of Him Himself to travel with Moshe and the Israelites (see yesterday’s aliyah). Moshe knew that at some time in the future G-d would send an angel like this but he thought that he and others likeContinue reading “Ki Tisa, 3rd Aliyah”

The Golden Calf and its Aftermath The Chumash now relates the incident involving the sin with the golden calf. While this event occurred months before the construction of the Mishkan*, the Chumash does not always follow sequential order. *Side note: The breaking of the tablets after the sin of the golden calf occurred on theContinue reading “Ki Tisa, 2nd Aliyah”

The 1/2 Shekel Donation. The Copper Washbasin. The Anointing Oil. The Incense. Betzalel. Keep the Sabbath. The 1/2 Shekel Donation. G-d shows Moshe a coin of fire and says that he wants Moshe to have all of the Israelites aged 20 and older to donate a coin like this, which was a 1/2 shekel* (equallingContinue reading “Ki Tisa, 1st Aliyah”

The Incense Altar G-d now gives instructions on making the altar for burning incense. He says that it should be made out of Shittim wood. It should be square shaped, 1 cubit long x 1 cubit wide and 2 cubits high with horns emerging from it. It should be covered in gold and it shouldContinue reading “Tetzaveh, 7th Aliyah”

2 Lambs. The Ohel Moed Two lambs in their first year should be sacrificed daily – one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The Morning Lamb Together with the first (morning)lamb, 1/10 of an ephah* of fine flour should be mixed with 1/4 of a hin of crushed olive oil and 1/4 ofContinue reading “Tetzaveh, 6th Aliyah”

The Inauguration of the Cohanim Continues The 2nd Ram In continuing the inauguration of Aaron and his sons into the priesthood, instructions are given for them to now take the second ram (they had been instructed to bring 2 rams as part of the inaugural sacrifice – see yesterday’s post) and place their hands uponContinue reading “Tetzaveh, 5th Aliyah”