The Land of Israel
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Selling or Giving Away the Land
Is it permitted to give or sell land in Eretz Yisroel to a non-Jew? The verse “The land shall not be permanently sold” (Lev.25:23) is understood (in the Midrash Tanchuma) as meaning that it is forbidden to sell any part…
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Men Ruling over Women
Does Gen. 3:16 mean that men are entitled to rule over women? A possible basis for understanding Gen.3:16 is suggested by the very parallel wording addressed to Cain in Gen.4:7: "Sin crouches at the door; his desire is for you,…
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Mixtures of Crops
What are the laws about mixtures of crops? Different kinds of food crops must not be planted in such a way that they grow mixed together (Yoreh Deah Sec.291). Grain or vegetables must not be planted next to grape vines…
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The Instructions about Building the Tabernacle
When Moses was given instructions about building the Tabernacle, he didn’t use exactly the same words in transmitting these instructions to the people. Why did he change the wording? In particular, why did he add “vavs” to the list of…
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The Size of the Temple Enclosure
What were the dimensions of the Temple enclosure? The Temple enclosure on the Temple Mount was about 150 by 350 cubits. (A cubit is a little less than two feet.) The Women’s Court was 150 by 150. The Men’s Court…
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The Cherubs
What is the significance of “cherubs” (KERUVIM)? The “cherubs” in the Temple were exceptions to the usual rules against representational art. Some of the cherubs were embroidered (Ex.26:1,31; 36:8,35), but the ones on the cover of the Ark (Ex.25:18-20,37:7-9) were…
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Non-Jews and the Temple
Could gentiles enter the Temple? Could they bring sacrifices? Gentiles could enter only the outer part of the Temple Court. Stones have been found that marked the places beyond which they couldn’t go. Sacrifices were accepted from anyone, provided they…
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Things that were Kept in the Ark
What things were kept in the Ark of the Covenant? Several things were kept in (or next to) the Ark, including the Tablets of the Covenant, the broken tablets (Ex.Chs.32-34), an omer of manna (Ex.16:33), Aaron’s staff (Num.17:10), and a…
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Sacrifices when there is no Temple
What do we do about sacrifices when there is no Temple? Since the Temple was built, it has not been permissible to offer sacrifices elsewhere; see Deut.12:13-14. When there was a Temple, people who lived far away from it used…