Parshas Terumah

For the week ending 4 Adar 5759 / 19 & 20 February 1999

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Contents:

Parsha Questions

Sherlox Holmes

I Did Not Know That!

Recommended Reading List

Answers to Parsha Questions

Solution to Sherlox Holmes

Back issues of Parsha Q&A

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This publication is also available in the following formats:    Explanation of these symbols 

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Parsha Questions

Answers | Contents

1. How many types of items were the Jews to donate?
2. The donation of silver for the mishkan differed from the donation of the other items. How?
3. What property do techeles and argamon share that oros eilim m'adamim do not share?
4. What property do the above three share that shesh and oros techashim do not share?
5. Onkelos translates "tachash" as "sasgona." Why?
6. What kind of trees did Yaakov plant in Mitzrayim?
7. Describe two uses of: a) oil; b) spices; c) jewels.
8. The aron was made with three boxes, one inside the other. Exactly how tall was the outer box?
9. Why is the Torah referred to as "testimony"?
10. What did the faces of the keruvim resemble?
11. On what day of the week was the lechem hapanim baked?
12. What does miksha mean?
13. What was the purpose of the menorah's gevi'im (cups)?
14. How did Moshe know the shape of the menorah?
15. What designs were embroidered into the tapestries of the mishkan?
16. What is meant by "standing wood?"
17. How long was the mishkan?
18. How wide was the interior of the mishkan?
19. Why was the altar coated with nechoshes?
20. Which function did the copper yeseidos serve?

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Solution  Contents

Sherlox Holmes and the Mysterious Crown "I'm perplexed," said Watstein. "Regarding the aron (holy ark) the verse says: 'And make for it a gold rim all around.' (Exodus 25:11) Rashi says that this golden rim surrounding the aron represents the 'Crown of Torah.' Why does Rashi make this comment?" "The aron," said world famous detextive Sherlox Holmes, "housed the Two Tablets of the Torah. How beautiful that it be crowned with gold, as if to say: Whoever is dedicated to Torah merits a golden crown!" "It brings tears to my eyes," said Watstein. "Yet, it does not answer my question." "What is your question?" asked Sherlox. "All aspects of the Temple and its vessels are infused with ethereal symbolism; however, Rashi does not make it his business to explain them all. Why specifically here does Rashi do so?" "Indeed, it is a mystery, Dr. Watstein, yet I think I have an answer..."

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I Did Not Know That!

"They shall make me a mishkan and I will dwell (v'shachanti) amongst them." (Exodus 25:8)

The word v'shachanti (I will dwell) hints at the number of years that both the First and Second Temples stood, as follows: Read as two words, v'shachan ti means "He dwelt 410." This hints that Hashem's Presence dwelt in the First Temple for 410 years, until its destruction. Rearranged, v'shachanti spells v'sheni kaf tav, which means "and the Second, 420." This hints that the Second Temple stood for 420 years.

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Recommended Reading List

Ramban 25:1 The Mishkan, a "Portable Sinai" 25:10 Universal Torah Involvement 26:33 Making and Placing Ibn Ezra 25:3 The Need for Silver

Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh 25:8 The Shechina Within Jewry Sefer Hachinuch 95 Our Need for a Mishkan 96 Utility and Form 97 Blessings and Benefit

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Answers to this Week's Questions

Questions | Contents

All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated

1. How many types of items were the Jews to donate?
   25:2 - 13.

2. The donation of silver for the mishkan differed from the donation of the other items. How?
   25:3 - No fixed amount of the other items was required. The silver was given as a fixed amount: A half shekel.

3. What property do techeles and argamon share that oros eilim m'adamim do not share?
   25:4,5 - They are wool, oros eilim are not.

4. What property do the above three share that shesh and oros techashim do not share?
   25:4,5 - They are dyed; shesh and oros techashim are not.

5. Onkelos translates "tachash" as "sasgona." Why?
   25:5 - The tachash delights (sas) in its multi-colors (gvanim).

6. What kind of trees did Yaakov plant in Mitzrayim?
   25:5 - Arazim - cedars.

7. Describe two uses of: a) oil; b) spices; c) jewels.
   25:6-7 - a) The oil was lit in the menorah and used for anointing. b) The spices were used in the anointing oil and for the incense. c) The precious stones were for the ephod and the choshen.

8. The aron was made with three boxes, one inside the other. Exactly how tall was the outer box?
   25:11 - The outer box was one and a half amos plus a tefach plus a little bit, because it rose a little bit above the kapores. [The kapores was a tefach thick (see 25:17)].

9. Why is the Torah referred to as "testimony"?
   25:16 - It testifies that Hashem commanded us to keep the mitzvos.

10. What did the faces of the keruvim resemble?
    25:18 - The faces of children.

11. On what day of the week was the lechem hapanim baked?
    25:29 - Friday.

12. What does miksha mean?
    25:31 - Hammered.

13. What was the purpose of the menorah's gevi'im (cups)?
    25:31 - Purely ornamental.

14. How did Moshe know the shape of the menorah?
    25:40 - Hashem showed Moshe a menorah of fire.

15. What designs were embroidered into the tapestries of the mishkan?
    26:1 - On one side a lion; on the other side an eagle.

16. What is meant by "standing wood?"
    26:15 - The wooden beams were to be upright and not stacked one upon the other.

17. How long was the mishkan?
    26:16 - 30 amos.

18. How wide was the interior of the mishkan?
    26:23 - 10 amos.

19. Why was the altar coated with nechoshes?
    27:2 - To atone for brazenness.

20. Which function did the copper yeseidos serve?
    27:19 - They secured the curtains against the wind.

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Mystery Contents

Solution to Sherlox Holmes "Was the rim part of the aron? asked Sherlox. "Apparently," said Watstein. "Then why wasn't it made of wood?" "What do you mean?" asked Watstein. "The aron was wood covered with gold. The rim was just gold. Why?" "Hmm, I think I see your point," said Watstein. "If the rim was an integral part of the aron, it should have been made of wood like the rest of the aron and then covered with gold. The fact that it was not made of wood indicates that it was separate from the aron, that it served some other function. Thus, Rashi explains its purpose: To symbolize the 'Crown of Torah.' " "Majestic insight, Dr. Watstein." (Sherlox" is by Reuven Subar,inspired by Dr. Avigdor Bonchek's "What's Bothering Rashi")

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Written and Compiled by Rabbi Eliyahu Kane & Rabbi Reuven Subar
General Editor: Rabbi Moshe Newman
Production Design: Eli Ballon
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