The Land of Israel
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Dimensions in the Tabernacle and Temple
How big were the Tabernacle and the Temple? Answer: The size of the Tabernacle was 9 by 30 cubits (by 10 cubits high); see Ex.26:15-25. The size of Solomon’s Temple was 20 by 60 cubits (by 30 cubits high); see…
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The Golden Calf and the Tabernacle
Can you please explain why the story of the sin of the Golden Calf is right in the middle of the description of the Mishkan (Tabernacle)? Answer: I’ll tell you a few thoughts that I have, and maybe you can…
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First Fruits
How is the First Fruit offering practiced in today’s society? Answer: Great question! For the First Fruits, one would go out to the fields when the fruit buds would begin to grow and designate the first fruits. One could designate…
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Ritual Purification Without a Temple
Can you direct me to a treatise on the evolution of the practice of ritual purification (childbirth, skin diseases, and secretions) following the destruction of the Second Temple? Answer: Hi! The Talmud Shabbat says that the laws of ritual purification…
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The Shamir
What was the shamir, and why was it used in building the Temple? Answer: The shamir is one of the things created at sundown on the sixth day of Creation (Mishnah Avos 5:6). The Talmud (Pesachim 59a) tells about its…
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Communal Offerings and Synagogue Dedications
In Numbers, ch.28, the laws of the Mussaf offerings [a form communal sacrifices] are discussed. How were the animals, flour, oil, and wine paid for? From Temple funds, or did people ‘bid’ on them, as many congregations do today for…
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A Modern Look at Animal Sacrifice
Why are there so many details about animal sacrifice in the Torah? How should a modern Jew view animal sacrifices? Answer: Animal sacrifices are indeed difficult to comprehend in the context of today’s society. In fact, it has come to…
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What makes music enjoyable?
What makes music enjoyable? Answer: Music is the language of the soul. Therefore, when we listen to music, we hear it at a very deep level. This means that music is a very powerful soul-tool, for good or for ill,…
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The Ark that Didn’t Take Up Space
Why did the Aron Hakodesh (The holy ark) in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) have no measurment or no space what so ever? What was the reason for that? Answer: Hi! The Aron haKodesh had no measurement because it was not a…