Name Dropping – Parshas Vaeiyra
Where Dylan Fell Short – Parshas Bo
Summary of Parshas Pekudei
Parshat Pekudei begins with an accounting of the gold, silver and copper that the people contributed to the Mishkan. The Torah details the making of the bigdei kehuna – the priestly vestments worn by the kohanim while serving in the Mishkan. After all the vessels and garments are completed, G-d tells Moshe where to place […]
Summary of Parshas Vayakhel
Parshas Vayakhel begins by briefly mentioning the laws of Shabbos and then proceeds to the main theme of the Parsha, the construction of the mishkan (tabernacle). Moses assembles the entire nation of Israel and lists the raw materials that G-d has instructed them to use. The Jewish People donate everything that is needed. The nesi’im […]
Summary of Parshas Tetzave
Parshat Tetzave concerns itself almost exclusively with the Kohanim (Priests). After stipulating that the Kohanim are defined as Aaron and his children, the Torah then introduces the special garments they wear when performing the service in the mishkan (tabernacle). Just as those who serve in a royal palace wear special uniforms, the Kohanim wear special […]
Summary of Parshas Teruma
Parshat Terumah discusses the construction of the mishkan, a “traveling Temple” in which the Divine Presence rested during the Jews’ travels in the desert and until the Temple was built in Jerusalem. G-d narrates to Moshe the exact measurements of the construction components and the holy vessels, along with a list of materials to be […]
Summary of Parshas Mishpatim
Parshat Mishpatim, which begins right after G-d’s revelation to the Jewish People at Mt. Sinai, deals primarily with civil law. Many different laws are mentioned. Among them: laws relating to the indentured Jewish servant; to the damage of personal property (how much one is responsible to pay); to the liability of borrowers and watchmen (for […]
Summary of Parshas Yisro
This week’s Torah portion begins with Moshe’s father-in-law, Yisro (whose name is the title of the parsha), coming to join the Jewish People in the desert. Hearing about the great miracles G-d performed for the Jews on their way out of Egypt had spurred him to leave his comfortable life in Midian and join the […]
Parsha Summary – Parshas Vaeiyra
Parshas Vaeiyra opens with G-d assuring Moshe that He will redeem the Jewish People from Egypt and bring them into the Land of Israel. After the interjection of a detailed genealogy of the tribe of Levi (Moshe’s extend family), the parsha continues with G-d telling Moshe that Pharaoh will initially refuse to let the Jewish […]