Q-1. (a) After everyone had gathered in front of Moshe at the end of Ki Tisa (34:32), why did Moshe gather all of Bnei Yisrael together now (35:1) (4 views)? (b) What are the 5 times that the Torah gives accounts of the construction of the Mishkan and its vessels? (c) Why the repetitions (2 views)? (Shemot 35:1-4)
A-1. . (a) (1) Previously, Moshe had assembled Aaron, the tribal leaders and all the men when he descended from Har Sinai, and many were afraid to approach him since his face had an angel-like shine – he covered his face and now gathered the women, too, who also volunteered gifts or labor for the Mishkan; (2) Moshe wanted to tell them now all (i) the laws of Shabbat and the Mishkan, (ii) that Hashem had forgiven them for the cheit ha’eigel and (iii) that they were once again His beloved (Ramban). (3) To teach that future generations’ leaders must gather assemblies each and every Shabbat to teach their congregants the Torah and proper behavior (Yalkut Shimoni). (4) The gathering was a defense to help atone for the cheit ha’eigel – the number of men, women and children Moshe gathered exceeded 3 million, while the eigel worshippers totaled only 3,000 – only 1 in a thousand was guilty (Oznayim laTorah). (b) (1) (i) First, Hashem described all the details to Moshe; (ii) then He provided a general explanation for Betzalel, Oholiav and the wise men so they could properly prepare for the construction; (iii) Moshe then gave a description, less detailed than the first time, to show the craftsmen’s wisdom and superior intellect in knowing what to do; (iv) the construction is described a fourth time to show that that the work was not individual efforts – the craftsmen collaborated in making all items; (v) the fifth time, all the craftsmen came to Moshe together to show him all the parts in the proper order (Ramban). (c) (1) The repetitions arouse in us the realization of the greatness of the Mishkan in Hashem’s eyes (R. Bechaya). (2) Each repetition had a significant goal – (i) Hashem gave a detailed description of what was to be made (Parashiot Terumah and Tetzaveh); (ii) when He appointed Betzalel to build the Mishkan, the Torah again listed the items to be made (Parashat Ki Tisa – Shemot 31:1-11); (iii) the Torah again lists the items to be made (beginning of Parshat Vayakhel); (iv) the Torah details what Betzalel and Bnei Yisrael made (Parashat Vayakhel - Shemot 36:8-39:2); (v) when Bnei Yisrael brought the objects to Moshe, the Torah lists them again (Parashat Pekudei - Shemot 39:33-43).
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Q-2. (a) Why did Moshe teach the Shabbat laws right after his face shone? (b) When Moshe said, “these are the things that Hashem commanded”, about what “things” was Moshe speaking (2 views)? (c) After the Torah restates the ban on doing melacha on Shabbat, why does it single out kindling fire (6 explanations)? (d) Why would we think that all kindling is not banned on Shabbat? (e) (1) Which of the 613 mitzvot is derived from the Torah’s specifying the ban on kindling fire on Shabbat? (2) How is it learned? (Shemot 35:3)could the shemen ha-mishcha be smeared? (c) Since the Torah mentions only 4 spices to make the ketoret (incense), how do we know it included the 11 spices listed in Keritut 6a? (d) Why was chelbena, a foul-smelling spice, included? (e) What was the purpose of burning ketoret? (Shemot 30:18-21,33-38) many soosim? (b) (1) How did Hashem confound (va-yaham) the Mitzri camp (2 views)? (2) Why did the Mitzrim flee toward the water? (c) (1) Why did Bnei Yisrael both pray to Hashem while complaining to Moshe (2 views)? (2) Why did Hashem tell Moshe not to pray, but rather lead Bnei Yisrael to the sea (5 views)? (d) At Yam Suf, (1) why did Hashem spare Pharaoh? (2) which 10 miracles did He perform for Bnei Yisrael? (3) which 10 plagues did He inflict on the Mitzrim? (Shemot 14:10-15,23-30) does the Torah add “le-toldotam” (according
Questions on Parashat Vayakhel
by Rabbi Binyamin Yablok, [email protected]