The Temple
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Studying the Laws of Taharah and Tumah
What is the purpose of studying the laws of ritual purity (TAHARAH), such as the laws about the “red cow” (PARAH ADUMAH; Num. Ch. 19)? Do these laws have any relevance nowadays? Answer: These laws have no practical relevance for…
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The Laws of Impurity
What is an impure person forbidden to do? Can such a person become pure again? Answer: An impure person is forbidden to enter the Temple or eat sacred foods, but currently those things don’t exist. For more than 2000 years…
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Urim and Tumim of the High Priest
What is the Urim & Tumim on the Ephod? How were they used by the priest? And the big question – what happened to them? Answer: Inside the Breastplate was placed God’s sacred names. Ramban (Exod. 28:30) states that Moses…
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Tefillin of the High Priest
How did the High Priest in the Temple wear Tefilin while also wearing a head dress? Answer: The High Priest was able to wear Tefillin – the Sages explain that the golden “Tzitz” band was on his forehead, the hat…
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Precious Stones of the Twelve Tribes
What were the precious stones in the high priest’s garments and how are they related to the twelve tribes? Answer: The ephod had two stones on its shoulder straps, both of onyx (shoham), with the names of six tribes inscribed…
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Moses in the Tabernacle
Genesis Chapter 40 beginning at verse 17 – Did Moses set up the tabernacle by himself? Of course G-d would have been advising along the way but no one else including Aaron would have been allowed in at this point.…
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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…