How do we create a Jewish community that honors different perspectives? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Ilana Gleicher-Bloom explore Parshat Vayakhel and its vision of community. They discuss how Moshe transforms Bnei Yisrael from a fragmented group into a…
Tanakh, Torah, Shemot (Exodus), Vayakhel
What is it that makes us join together with different groups? Over the past two parshiot, we’ve seen two gatherings, one in which the people gathered to create the Golden Calf, and another in which they gathered to build the…
Tanakh, Torah, Shemot (Exodus), Vayakhel
The Sanctuary’s washbasin came from mirrors donated by the Israelite women. Yet, Rashi’s comment raises some doubts that Moses had regarding the propriety of using these mirrors, items that are generally used for feminine beautification. This opens a discussion of…
Tanakh, Torah, Shemot (Exodus), Pekudei, Vayakhel
Parashat Vayakhel 5782: Repairing Even the Worst Ruptures Description: Even after warning against all forms of constructive creativity in the Ten Commandments, the Torah explicitly warns now against using fire on Shabbat. Legal ramifications aside, the prohibition against fire cautions…
Tanakh, Torah, Shemot (Exodus), Vayakhel
The exterior courtyard of the Mishkan/Tabernacle was dominated by a large bronze altar, used for animal sacrifice. In this podcast, we consider some of the altar’s unusual features as we ponder the deeply symbolic ritual associated with it. While animal…
Tanakh, Torah, Shemot (Exodus), Pekudei, Vayakhel
This is a special parsha discussion on the idea of seclusion and connection when we are alone or with the ones we love. Find out more in this week’s Parsha Discussion with Rabbi Alex Israel. Learn all the details and…
Educator resources, Meaning-making, Tanakh, Torah, Shemot (Exodus), Pekudei
This year, Shabbat Vayakhel-Pekudei is also Shabbat HaChodesh. In this podcast, Yiscah Smith discusses inner renewal, revival, and redemption from the place of disappointment, darkness and despair: the spiritual meaning of the Jewish tradition adopting a lunar-based calendar. Download the…
Tanakh, Torah, Shemot (Exodus), Pekudei, Vayakhel
This week’s Torah portion of VaYakhel discusses once again the Mishkan (tabernacle). In parallel, we are also reading the seasonal Shekalim portion about annual donations to the maintenance of the tabernacle or temple services. These readings raise the problem of…
Tanakh, Torah, Shemot (Exodus), Vayakhel
At the beginning of our parsha, Moshe gathers all the Jews together and tells them about Shabbat – that for six days one can do work, but that the seventh day is Holy, so no work can be done on…
Educator resources, Meaning-making, Tanakh, Torah, Shemot (Exodus), Vayakhel
Parshat Pekudei opens with an intriguing name for the Mishkan or Tabernacle. It is called Mishkan Ha-Eidut – The Tabernacle of Testimony (38:20). What is indicated by this phrase? What is the “testimony” referred to? Here are two interpretations. The…
Educator resources, Meaning-making, Tanakh, Torah, Shemot (Exodus), Pekudei
In this podcast, Nechama Goldman Barash looks at the thronging women who donated their mirrors for the basin and laver in the Tabernacle. Are mirrors merely articles of vanity or do they reveal something much deeper about ourselves? Please note…
Tanakh, Torah, Shemot (Exodus), Pekudei, Vayakhel
The Pardes Parsha Discussion is a new weekly series by faculty member Rabbi Alex Israel, designed to stimulate discussion around the Shabbat table, especially with teenagers. Click here to download and print this week’s Parsha Discussion on Vayakhel-Pekudei — Experiencing…
Educator resources, Meaning-making, Tanakh, Torah, Shemot (Exodus), Pekudei
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