Friday, February 8, 2019

Parsha Mishpatim Part 2, Parsha Teruma, story, on global warming,


Parsha Mishpatim Part 2


I ended my Drasha last week with the fact that I want to produce a quality commentary and I did not have enough time due to
Medical reasons. There was another factor and that was 53 commandments in the Sedra. It is the fourth largest amount of Mitzvos for one Parsha.

21:18 And if men contend, and one smite the other with a stone, or with his fist, and he die not, but keep his bed; 19 if he rise again, and walk abroad upon his staff, then shall he that smote him be quit; only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall cause him to be thoroughly healed.

The man wanted to take out his anger on the second or in self-defense but not kill him. The Torah requires him in Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat to pay indemnity for pain, healing or medical treatment, lost of work and embarrassment. We cannot properly evaluate nowadays what exactly what embarrassment is. For if a man my age has to be in a wheel-chair or walker it is different than for a 25 or 30-year-old man. Or if an Olympic swimmer or a muscleman has his shirt ripped open from a fight vs. a modest Rabbi.

The second ends with HaRofeh Yitrapeh (the doctor will heal) meaning that HASHEM has given the Dr. the ability to heal or cure the illness BUT ONLY WITH THE L-RD’s will.

20 And if a man smite his bondman, or his bondwoman, with a rod, and he die under his hand, he shall surely be punished.

As master he has the right to punish but not permanently harm such as a broken limb, cause deafness or blindness. He has no permission to kill his bondman or bondwoman no matter how bad they are.

21 Notwithstanding if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished; for he is his money.

If a man smites his slave but does not maim him but in such a way that he must be healed, he does not pay compensation but if one hit another’s slave that the master would be compensated for his not working.

22 And if men strive together, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart, and yet no harm follow, he shall be surely fined, according as the woman's husband shall lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.

Abortion did exist in the times of the Talmud as Sanhedrin deals with it if there is a danger to the viable life of a mother vs. an uncertain life of a fetus. However, the Torah does not approve of Abortion and here is the proof.

So why must this be brought before a Judge? Because, we cannot set a value to the fetus of a man who has 20 children vs. a man who could lose his first born as a fixed figure. A judge has to decide not only the physical damage but the psychological damage to either husband or wife.

23 But if any harm follow, then thou shalt give life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

A life is a different story but the other damages receive monetary compensation.

26 And if a man smite the eye of his bondman, or the eye of his bondwoman, and destroy it, he shall let him go free for his eye's sake. 27 And if he smite out his bondman's tooth, or his bondwoman's tooth, he shall let him go free for his tooth's sake.

Going free because of a tooth is one thing but for an eye that is a real handicap and something more that freedom should be given the former slave as he is handicapped in finding employment.


To understand the next section better, I open up with Talmud 2A of Baba Kama. MISHNAH. THE PRINCIPAL CATEGORIES OF DAMAGE ARE FOUR: THE OX, THE PIT, THE 'SPOLIATOR' [MAB'EH] AND THE FIRE. THE ASPECTS OF THE OX ARE [IN SOME RESPECTS] NOT [OF SUCH LOW ORDER OF GRAVITY] AS THOSE OF THE 'SPOLIATOR'; NOR ARE [IN OTHER RESPECTS] THOSE OF THE 'SPOLIATOR' [OF SUCH LOW ORDER OF GRAVITY] AS THOSE OF THE OX; NOR ARE THE ASPECTS OF EITHER OF THEM, IN WHICH THERE IS LIFE, [OF SUCH LOW ORDER OF GRAVITY] AS THOSE OF THE FIRE WHICH IS NOT ENDOWED WITH LIFE; NOR ARE THE ASPECTS OF ANY OF THESE, THE HABIT OF WHICH IS TO BE MOBILE AND DO DAMAGE, [OF SUCH LOW ORDERS OF GRAVITY] AS THOSE OF THE PIT OF WHICH IT IS NOT THE HABIT TO MOVE ABOUT AND DO DAMAGE. THE FEATURE COMMON TO THEM ALL IS THAT THEY ARE IN THE HABIT OF DOING DAMAGE; AND THAT THEY HAVE TO BE UNDER YOUR CONTROL SO THAT WHENEVER ANY ONE [OF THEM] DOES DAMAGE THE OFFENDER IS LIABLE TO INDEMNIFY WITH THE BEST OF HIS ESTATE.

28 And if an ox gores a man or a woman, that they die, the ox shall be surely stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be quit.

This is an enclosed ox that is not wanton to gore but just happened to come and gore somebody.

29 But if the ox was wont to gore in time past, and warning hath been given to its owner, and he hath not kept it in, but it hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and its owner also shall be put to death.

For such an ox should have been slaughtered and sold for meat as the ox was wonton to gore and the owner is responsible for the death of his fellow. (If one does not check-up his car’s brakes or tires and somebody dies because of this, the owner is at fault for this is manslaughter through negligence or vehicular homicide.)

30 If there be laid on him a ransom, then he shall give for the redemption of his life whatsoever is laid upon him. 31 Whether it have gored a son, or have gored a daughter, according to this judgment shall it be done unto him. 32 If the ox gores a bondman or a bondwoman, he shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.

The owner of the ox pays compensation and does not forfeit his life if the ox was a Tam (like tame) and had never gored anybody. But if it were Muad or wont to gore animals or people three times the ox should have been slaughtered and it is like a person not replacing his brakes when needed to or has worn out tires despite warnings.

33 And if a man shall open a pit, or if a man shall dig a pit and not cover it, and an ox or an ass fall therein, 34 the owner of the pit shall make it good; he shall give money unto the owner of them, and the dead beast shall be his.

The ox or the eating animal will trample and eat from a garden and both move so too the fire but the pit is there in the middle or side of the public domain and should have had a fence around it or warning flag or been covered over with boards so that people or animals do not fall in it.

35 And if one man's ox hurt another's, so that it dies; then they shall sell the live ox, and divide the price of it; and the dead also they shall divide. 36 Or if it be known that the ox was wont to gore in time past, and its owner hath not kept it in; he shall surely pay ox for ox, and the dead beast shall be his own.

If the ox gored another ox but was not wonton to gore then the value of both are divided. But if it was wont to gore, he has to pay full compensation so that the owner can get another ox or animal.

37 If a man steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it, he shall pay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.

Sheep or cattle rustlers have to make restitution with a strong fine.

22:1 If a thief be found breaking in, and be smitten so that he dies, there shall be no blood guiltiness for him. 2 If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood guiltiness for him--he shall make restitution; if he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. 3 If the theft be found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep, he shall pay double.

The fine being greater than the thief or selling the man into being a slave will keep him from stealing as what a slave owns belongs to his master.

4 If a man cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall let his beast loose, and it feed in another man's field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.

This is the damage caused by the teeth and perhaps the stomping of the animal’s feet on the crops.

5 If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the shocks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field are consumed; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.

That is why one should be careful in burning weeds, making a campfire or a small fire for warmth. [Note corn in UK English is the word for grain and not the American Maize.]

6 If a man deliver unto his neighbor money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man's house; if the thief be found, he shall pay double. 7 If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall come near unto God, to see whether he have not put his hand unto his neighbor's goods. 8 For every matter of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, whereof one says: 'This is it,' the cause of both parties shall come before God; he whom God shall condemn shall pay double unto his neighbor.

The man was given money to guard over as a favor (Shomer Hinam – watching for free.). If it was stolen, then he has to swear that he did not lay his hands on the things to be guarded whether money or silver/gold/bronze items

9 If a man deliver unto his neighbor an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep, and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it; 10 the oath of the LORD shall be between them both, to see whether he have not put his hand unto his neighbor's goods; and the owner thereof shall accept it, and he shall not make restitution. 11 But if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution unto the owner thereof. 12 If it be torn in pieces, let him bring it for witness; he shall not make good that which was torn.

We go from inanimate objects to animals. Therefore, here too the free guarding has to swear that he did what he could to prevent loss or theft.

13 And if a man borrows aught of his neighbor, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof not being with it, he shall surely make restitution. 14 If the owner thereof be with it, he shall not make it good; if it be a hireling, he loses his hire.

If he borrowed a tool that was not wont to break. However, if he borrowed a drill bit and as it turned the first time, it broke then the tool was not good but if after drill a number of holes it broke, he must make compensation.

15 And if a man entices a virgin that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely pay a dowry for her to be his wife. 16 If her father utterly refuses to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.

This sounds today like mutual consent. The father gets involved if the enticing lad is a young fellow and she is under twelve. He must pay money to make up for the dowry as if she was a virgin has it is his fault.

17 Thou shalt not suffer a sorceress to live. 18 Whosoever lies with a beast shall surely be put to death. 19 He that sacrifices unto the gods, save unto the LORD only, shall be utterly destroyed.

These are capital crimes.

20 And a stranger shalt thou not wrong, neither shalt thou oppress him; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. 21 Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. 22 If thou afflict them in any wise--for if they cry at all unto Me, I will surely hear their cry-- 23 My wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.

One has to be extra careful when dealing with Gerim, widows and orphans. {I would also add Baalei Teshuva.} For they are dependent on HASHEM alone and HE guards their dignity and therefore people who take advantage and abuse them get punished. The punishment in Pasuk 23 is Mida Knegged Mida (measure for measure) that your wife and children turn into being a widow and orphans.

More of the Mitzvos of this Parsha …
24 If thou lend money to any of My people, even to the poor with thee, thou shalt not be to him as a creditor; neither shall ye lay upon him interest. 25 If thou at all take thy neighbor's garment to pledge, thou shalt restore it unto him by that the sun goes down; 26 for that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin; wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he cries unto Me, that I will hear; for I am gracious. 27 Thou shalt not revile God, nor curse a ruler of thy people. 28 Thou shalt not delay to offer of the fulness of thy harvest, and of the outflow of thy presses. The first-born of thy sons shalt thou give unto Me. 29 Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen, and with thy sheep; seven days it shall be with its dam; on the eighth day thou shalt give it Me. 30 And ye shall be holy men unto Me; therefore ye shall not eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs. 23:1 Thou shalt not utter a false report; put not thy hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. 2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou bear witness in a cause to turn aside after a multitude to pervert justice; … 23 For Mine angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Canaanite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite; and I will cut them off. 24 Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their doings; but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and break in pieces their pillars. 25 And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the
24:1 And unto Moses He said: 'Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off; 2 and Moses alone shall come near unto the LORD; but they shall not come near; neither shall the people go up with him. …12 And the LORD said unto Moses: 'Come up to Me into the mount and be there; and I will give thee the tables of stone, and the law and the commandment, which I have written, that thou may teach them.' 13 And Moses rose up, and Joshua his minister; and Moses went up into the mount of God. 14 And unto the elders he said: 'Tarry ye here for us, until we come back unto you; and, behold, Aaron and Hur are with you; whosoever hath a cause, let him come near unto them.' 15 And Moses went up into the mount, and the cloud covered the mount. 16 And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days; and the seventh day He called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud. 17 And the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.

It was awe inspiring and fearsome on top of the mount.

18 And Moses entered into the midst of the cloud, and went up into the mount; and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.

Moshe was sustained in the cloud and he needed neither food nor water for 40 days and 40 nights. He was on a status of a spirit and the physical body was put into suspected animation.


Parsha Teruma


The last passage ended with Moshe going into the cloud on Mt. Sinai. There he learned of what was required for the Mishkan. At this point the subject changes from the physical Gashmiyous World to the spiritual Ruchanius Realm.

21:1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 2 'Speak unto the children of Israel, that they take for Me an offering; of every man whose heart makes him willing ye shall take My offering. 3 And this is the offering which ye shall take of them: gold, and silver, and brass; 4 and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair; 5 and rams' skins dyed red, and GIRAFFE SKINS, and acacia-wood; 6 oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense; 7 onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate.

The people had obtained these materials in Mitzrayim when they borrowed from their neighbors before leaving.

8 And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. 9 According to all that I show thee, the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the furniture thereof, even so shall ye make it.

Moshe saw the vision of the Mishkan but Betzalel would build it through prophecy as Moshe was not an artisan.

10 And they shall make an ark of acacia-wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.

Taking 18 inches or 45 cm to a cubit, we have 45 inch or 112.5 cm long, 27 inch or 67.5 cm width and height thereof. Arcadia wood is a hard wood with the average density of .7 or more depending on the exact Acadia trees that were used. For an in depth study one can google this as Arcadia is simple in species to Pines or Palms where there are many varieties.  

11 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about.

Gold, silver and copper are expensive items. Gold is the most malleable metal and gold can be beaten into the thinnest of foils to cover the wood of the Aron Ha Kodesh.

12 And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in the four feet thereof; and two rings shall be on the one side of it, and two rings on the other side of it.

When gold is solid, it is a heavy metal and therefore dense. For this gives one a solid support for the lifting the Aron.

From here I see that we can compare the Jewish People to G-D’s gold as when we are beaten by the nations of the world we spread out but when we are unified with one nation and one heart we are strong and can bear the burden of the Mitzvos.

13 And thou shalt make staves of acacia-wood, and overlay them with gold.

Here too the staves for carrying are over-laid with gold and the gold has to be more than a foil so that it does not come off in the hands or shoulders of the Leviim.

14 And thou shalt put the staves into the rings on the sides of the ark, wherewith to bear the ark. 15 The staves shall be in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it.

The Leviim passed the staves through the rings and had the weight of the staves and the Aron on their shoulders. There would be rotation of people frequently.

16 And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee. 17 And thou shalt make an ark-cover of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof. 18 And thou shalt make two cherubim of gold; of beaten work shalt thou make them, at the two ends of the ark-cover.

We either had a time-space continuum disrupted or this was with a slightly longer length. For if the wood is 2.5 x 1.5 x 1.5 and the cover is gold, the cover not being a foil it would have to be thin for a bit larger to get the dimensions of the wood inside. The Cheruvim were not cast material but beaten into shape and would have had to been completely equal in size this was a tremendous talent that Betzalel had.

19 And make one cherub at the one end, and one cherub at the other end; of one piece with the ark-cover shall ye make the cherubim of the two ends thereof. 20 And the cherubim shall spread out their wings on high, screening the ark-cover with their wings, with their faces one to another; toward the ark-cover shall the faces of the cherubim be.

All this was added weight which the Leviim carried. The fact that the Cheruvim were facing one another signified equally unities and brotherhood.

21 And thou shalt put the ark-cover above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. 22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will speak with thee from above the ark-cover, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

At this point there is no Sefer Torah inside and this time period is before receiving the Luchos, rod of Aaron, Mann that are mentioned.

23 And thou shalt make a table of acacia-wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof. 24 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and make thereto a crown of gold round about.

Like the Aron, the Shulchan shall be overlaid with gold. Dimensions  36 inches or 90 cm by 18 inches or 45 cm with the height 27 inches or 67.5cm.

25 And thou shalt make unto it a border of a handbreadth round about, and thou shalt make a golden crown to the border thereof round about.

The rim was about 4 inches or 10 plus cm around the Shulchan of solid gold and this too must have been quite heavy even if the Acacia wood was the rim and was plated.

26 And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that are on the four feet thereof.

Instead of six like the larger Aron, the Shulchan would have four rings.

27 Close by the border shall the rings be, for places for the staves to bear the table. 28 And thou shalt make the staves of acacia-wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be borne with them.

The Shulchan also had staves for carrying and covered with gold like the staves of the Aron.

29 And thou shalt make the dishes thereof, and the pans thereof, and the jars thereof, and the bowls thereof, wherewith to pour out; of pure gold shalt thou make them.

They were thick enough so if carelessly handled these pans, jars and bowls would not warp but thin enough so that they were not too heavy. Betzalel knew this dimension from experience.

30 And thou shalt set upon the table showbread before Me always.

In Hebrew it is called more like face-bread or Lechem HaPanim or bread that is before MY FACE.

31 And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made, even its base, and its shaft; its cups, its knops, and its flowers, shall be of one piece with it. 32 And there shall be six branches going out of the sides thereof: three branches of the candlestick out of the one side thereof, and three branches of the candle-stick out of the other side thereof; 33 three cups made like almond-blossoms in one branch, a knop and a flower; and three cups made like almond-blossoms in the other branch, a knop and a flower; so for the six branches going out of the candlestick. 34 And in the candlestick four cups made like almond-blossoms, the knops thereof, and the flowers thereof. 35 And a knop under two branches of one piece with it, and a knop under two branches of one piece with it, and a knop under two branches of one piece with it, for the six branches going out of the candlestick. 36 Their knops and their branches shall be of one piece with it; the whole of it one beaten work of pure gold. 37 And thou shalt make the lamps thereof, seven; and they shall light the lamps thereof, to give light over against it. 38 And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold. 39 Of a talent of pure gold shall it be made, with all these vessels. 40 And see that thou make them after their pattern, which is being shown thee in the mount.

The process of making a mold and pouring the pure gold even with modern precision tools was very difficult. I one takes a guided tour of Yerushalayim and see the gold Menorah in the bullet-proof glass, you will be told these facts. It is hard to imagine how Betzalel did such a complex feat in ancient times.

26:1 Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains: of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, with cherubim the work of the skillful workman shalt thou make them. 2 The length of each curtain shall be eight and twenty cubits, and the breadth of each curtain four cubits; all the curtains shall have one measure. 3 Five curtains shall be coupled together one to another; and the other five curtains shall be coupled one to another. 4 And thou shalt make loops of blue upon the edge of the one curtain that is outmost in the first set; and likewise shalt thou make in the edge of the curtain that is outmost in the second set. 5 Fifty loops shalt thou make in the one curtain, and fifty loops shalt thou make in the edge of the curtain that is in the second set; the loops shall be opposite one to another. 6 And thou shalt make fifty clasps of gold, and couple the curtains one to another with the clasps, that the tabernacle may be one whole.

The weaving required either strong and skilled women or weavers.  The weight was tremendous that a lot a Leviim had to be available to move these items and the Talmud said that it took 300 men to Tovel (put in and out of a lake or ocean Mikvah).

7 And thou shalt make curtains of goats' hair for a tent over the tabernacle; eleven curtains shalt thou make them. 8 The length of each curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the breadth of each curtain four cubits; the eleven curtains shall have one measure. 9 And thou shalt couple five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves, and shalt double over the sixth curtain in the forefront of the tent. 10 And thou shalt make fifty loops on the edge of the one curtain that is outmost in the first set, and fifty loops upon the edge of the curtain which is outmost in the second set.

The goats’ hair was woven together or somehow braided by many especially skilled women. I have no idea if such things are known in western countries today.

11 And thou shalt make fifty clasps of brass, and put the clasps into the loops, and couple the tent together, that it may be one.

Brass is a valuable metal and the loops had to be strong and the claps thick enough for handling the heavy weight.

21 And as for the overhanging part that remains of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remains over shall hang over the back of the tabernacle. 13 And the cubit on the one side, and the cubit on the other side, of that which remains over in the length of the curtains of the tent, shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle on this side and on that side, to cover it. 14 And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red and a covering of giraffe skins above.

These were expensive items. Even today one does not find readily available red rams skin and giraffe skins I assume are just as rare.

15 And thou shalt make the boards for the tabernacle of acacia-wood, standing up. 16 Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half the breadth of each board. 17 Two tenons shall there be in each board, joined one to another; thus shalt thou make for all the boards of the tabernacle.

The boards were tapered on top otherwise the wagons would not be able to hold their weight see previous commentaries on the Leviim moving the boards on the wagons to understand the sheer weight of even the tapered boards.

18 And thou shalt make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards for the south side southward: 19 And thou shalt make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards: two sockets under one board for its two tenons, and two sockets under another board for its two tenons; 20 and for the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, twenty boards. 21 And their forty sockets of silver: two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board. 22 And for the hinder part of the tabernacle westward thou shalt make six boards. 23 And two boards shalt thou make for the corners of the tabernacle in the hinder part. 24 And they shall be double beneath, and in like manner they shall be complete unto the top thereof unto the first ring; thus shall it be for them both; they shall be for the two corners. 25 Thus there shall be eight boards, and their sockets of silver, sixteen sockets: two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board. …28 and the middle bar in the midst of the boards, which shall pass through from end to end. 29 And thou shalt overlay the boards with gold, and make their rings of gold for holders for the bars; and thou shalt overlay the bars with gold. 30 And thou shalt rear up the tabernacle according to the fashion thereof which hath been shown thee in the mount.

To appreciate this was harder when I started learning Torah. Nowadays there are a lot of books on the Mishkan with illustration. One can google the Mishkan or Tabernacle and see pictures in color. Yeshiva Ateret Cohanim has built most of the items needed for the Mikdash so they even have photos today.  

27:1 And thou shalt make the altar of acacia-wood, five cubits long, and five cubits broad; the altar shall be four-square; and the height thereof shall be three cubits. 2 And thou shalt make the horns of it upon the four corners thereof; the horns thereof shall be of one piece with it; and thou shalt overlay it with brass. 3 And thou shalt make its pots to take away its ashes, and its shovels, and its basins, and its flesh-hooks, and its fire-pans; all the vessels thereof thou shalt make of brass.

The Mizbayach of wood and the associated accessories are available to view on-line and a picture is worth more than commentary.

4 And thou shalt make for it a grating of network of brass; and upon the net shalt thou make four brazen rings in the four corners thereof. 5 And thou shalt put it under the ledge round the altar beneath, that the net may reach halfway up the altar. 6 And thou shalt make staves for the altar, staves of acacia-wood, and overlay them with brass. …12 And for the breadth of the court on the west side shall be hangings of fifty cubits: their pillars ten, and their sockets ten. 13 And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits.

The Torah concludes with the dimensions of the Mishkan and I use an Amah or Cubit to be 45cm that has been standard for more scholars but the dimensions change if you go according to the Chazon Ish or other Rabbis. The archeological facts seem to indicate that I am on target BUT ONE MUST GO ACCORDING TO HOW HIS RABBI TAUGHT HIM or the Sanhedrin will establish in he future.

14 The hangings for the one side [of the gate] shall be fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three. 15 And for the other side shall be hangings of fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three. 16 And for the gate of the court shall be a screen of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the weaver in colors: their pillars four, and their sockets four. 17 All the pillars of the court round about shall be filleted with silver; their hooks of silver, and their sockets of brass. 18 The length of the court shall be a hundred cubits, and the breadth fifty everywhere, and the height five cubits, of fine twined linen, and their sockets of brass. 19 All the instruments of the tabernacle in all the service thereof, and all the pins thereof, and all the pins of the court, shall be of brass.

Copper in the form of brass or bronze is also a precious metal. It is more abundant and henceforth cheaper that gold or silver in nature. The use of brass in the Mishkan was on the joints and where sockets and pins were needed. The rest of the Mishkan used silver or gold.




I view serving HASHEM this way. We were created by HASHEM. We are shall we say Natural Intelligence in the image of HASHEM vs. our robots Artificial Intelligence. If we were created AI we would be like an Angel who could not move left or right of a command from HASHEM. We have NI which gives us freedom not to observe the Mitzvos. However, we have to act with freedom as if we were AI to give our CREATOR the pleasure of our observance. That is what makes us higher than the angels.


My Encounter with the Rebbe An Unwitting Author by Rabbi Simcha Raz


My family was very close with Rabbi Aryeh Levine, the famed “Tzaddik of Jerusalem” whose extraordinary capacity to help his fellow Jews — whether the sick, poor or those suffering under the British regime during the Mandate of Palestine (1920-1948) — made him a legend in his time. He often visited us and, whenever he came, it fell to me to walk him back home. On those walks, he always took pains to ask me about my studies and would often invite me inside his
house to carry on our conversation. And so, from the age of twelve, I forged my own connection with him, which
continued for over thirty years. I came to see Rav Aryeh as the wisest person I’d ever met; he became a mentor whom I sought out whenever I needed advice. And, after his passing in 1969, I published an article memorializing him in the weekly journal Panim el Panim.

At the time I was working for the advancement of the study of the Hebrew language in the Diaspora, which brought me to New York in 1970, when I had the privilege of meeting the Lubavitcher Rebbe. As soon as I walked into the Rebbe’s office and introduced myself, he exclaimed, “I read an article about Rav Aryeh Levin in Panim el Panim written by Simcha Raz. Is that you?”

After I confirmed that I was one and the same, the Rebbe asked me if Rav Aryeh had left behind any writings. In fact, Rav Aryeh did leave a number of manuscripts, including an explanation of the entire Mishnah, parts of which were eventually published. At that time, however, his only published work was a booklet about the famous Kabbalist known as the Leshem, who had been Rav Aryeh’s mentor. I told this to the Rebbe, adding that Rav Aryeh was a “walking Torah,” and I quoted a number of teachings that I had heard from him. I followed that up with some stories about Rav Aryeh which seemed to fascinate the Rebbe. At a certain point the Rebbe’s secretary interrupted, saying that an hour had passed and I needed to finish u p. “Forgive me,” I immediately apologized, “I know I was supposed to be here only for ten minutes.” But the Rebbe urged me to continue. So another hour passed as I told him more about Rav Aryeh. Altogether, the meeting lasted two-and-a-half hours and, at its conclusion, the Rebbe suggested that I write down all that I had told him. He said there is a lot to be learned from the lives of righteous people — such stories penetrate the hearts and seep into the soul, and sometimes influence the readers even more than words of Torah. At the time I hadn’t considered writing a book about Rav Aryeh, but the Rebbe’s words stayed with me, and I began collecting the recollections of others. During my research, I discovered that Rav Aryeh and the Rebbe exchanged a number of letters. Rav Aryeh’s grandson told me that he had visited the Rebbe once and told him of Rav Aryeh’s distress at being harshly criticized by some elements in the ultra-Orthodox community for showing love and friendship to those Jews whom they disapproved of. The Rebbe had a fabulous response. “We read in Pirkei Avot , ‘One who is pleasing to his fellow human beings, is pleasing to G-d.’ It does not say, ‘One who is pleasing to the very righteous and pious people,’ but simply ‘his fellow human beings,’ the ordinary folk out in the street!”

That story and the many others I collected were eventually assembled into a book published in Hebrew as Ish Tzaddik Haya and in English as A Tzaddik in Our Time.

This book was hugely successful and was reprinted more than thirty times, as well as translated into Russian and
French. I continued writing and eventually published a sequel entitled Tzaddik Yesod Olam, as well as other books about righteous men, including several giants of the Chasidic world.

All this came from the impetus I first received from the Rebbe. In addition to the profound effect that the meeting with the Rebbe had on my life, I was also left with a very strong impression of him as a truly holy man. When, before leaving, I mentioned that a woman I knew
needed his blessing, he immediately rose from his chair to get a pencil and paper and asked, “What is her name and her mother’s name?” Although the Rebbe was a world-class leader, the moment someone spoke to him of a person in need of a blessing, he dedicated his full attention to that individual.

Throughout the years I often corresponded with the Rebbe, and I sent him copies of my books, which he complimented. When he learned in 1978 that I was dispatched to Cape Town on behalf of the Zionist Federation of South Africa, where I was put in charge of the Jewish education system, he wrote to me that he hoped that in my new position I would still continue to write, since my writing was about authentic Judaism. As a part of my job, I supported everyone who worked to advance Jewish culture, including the Chabad emissary in Cape Town, Rabbi Mendel Popack. When my two-year contract ended, I was surprised to receive a letter from the Rebbe, saying that he hoped I wouldn’t mind him suggesting, without being asked, that I extend my mission in South Africa. He said he was allowing himself to give me this unsolicited advice because he felt that the public good demands it. Of course, I followed his counsel and stayed on for another two years.

Of all the many people that I’ve met in my lifetime, the man who has most impressed me was the Rebbe. In my opinion, his character gives meaning to the words of the Book of Proverbs, “V’tzaddik yesod olam — a righteous man is the foundation of the world.” Just like a tall building rises to the heavens due to its deep foundation although that foundation isn’t seen and revealed to the eye, so too, the teachings of the Tzaddik continue to inspire us — even if he has passed away and we cannot see him — as we learn from his ways.
________________________________

Rabbi Simcha Raz is the author of A Tzaddik in Our Time: The Life of Rabbi Aryeh Levin, as well as a number of books about Jewish leaders. He was interviewed in his home in Jerusalem in August of 2010.
mystory@jemedia.org | myencounterblog.com | © Copyright, Jewish Educational Media, 2019


TORAH EMMES - the Torah is truth and this is how I view the truth from science. A note on global warming real science: Fact 99.5% of the global heat comes from the oceans that are being heated by the sun. Larger oceans mean a hotter climate. It is as plain and simple as that. Most of the advocates of global warming like to cite dooms-day by mankind. The geology of the earth goes through cycles and just as the geological plates broke up one continent in the past in another 250 million years there will be one great continent again with large deserts in the middle. The process of global warming as I understand from my trip to Alaska was noticeable in the mid to late 1700’s CE by Capt. James Cooke https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Cook and that is before the main industrial revolution. Don’t be fooled by politicians using your fears of forces beyond and above mankind.


Instead of retiring Netanyahu blames Attorney General. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/258465
Ed-Op on elections Eiland. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5454715,00.html

Israelis as bad as Hamas to the farmers. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5457797,00.html


Another Israeli Company may be bought out from Palo Alto Co. https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3755576,00.html

Special needs children will not sing in Eurovision Contest even if they win in Israel because of Chillul Shabbos. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/258649

Elderly mother A”H of MK ran over by cement truck. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/258653

Israel lacking 6,000 to 12,000 hospital beds. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/258635


From Haim O. 5 reasons why you will not see autonomous vehicles soon. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/article225493960.html

Likud shows democracy in action while Ganz stumbles into the leftist camp and praises Oslo Agreement. https://www.debka.com/likuds-active-internal-democracy-is-an-election-boon-how-gantz-stumbled/
Ganz’s advisors must be pulling their hair out. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/258719

Ganz’s blunder plays into the hands of Bennett’s new party. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/258685

Victory of Gideon Saar shows a weaker Netanyahu. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5459214,00.html
Ed-OP Ben Dror Yemeni Likud leaders think followers are animals. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5458771,00.html


BDE Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein passes away suddenly. https://www.timesofisrael.com/ifcj-founder-rabbi-yechiel-eckstein-dies-suddenly-at-67/ https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5459335,00.html

From the Funeral: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/258748

Abandoned newborn found in dumpster. https://www.timesofisrael.com/abandoned-newborn-found-in-alley-in-central-israel/
Jewish Granny dies after being hit with a foul ball. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/258677


Inyanay Diyoma



As indictment of Netanyahu gets closer he could start a war. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/258486

He wanted to abort fetuses during birth now Dem’s aborting him for being racists. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/northam-vows-to-finish-term-even-as-top-dems-demand-he-step-down-over-yearbook-photo








After shutdown, swamp RINO’s may challenge Trump. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-facing-revived-chatter-of-possible-gop-primary-challenge
Jets scrambled as civilian pilot violates coordination. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/258485
Iranian commander – we can defeat Israel in 3 days. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/258445
After US partially withdraws, Putin completely withdraws. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/258474
Iraqi forces find three Iranian rockets ready to fire at US base. https://www.debka.com/mivzak/166400/

Brazil’s President thanks Israel for aide. https://www.algemeiner.com/2019/01/31/brazils-president-thanks-israel-for-post-dam-disaster-aid-hails-collaboration-in-science-and-technology/?utm_content=news1&utm_medium=daily_email&utm_campaign=email&utm_source=internal/


Biggest employer of Arabs boycotted by PLO. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/258506

Veiled threat to Europe from Iran on missile range. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/258555

40 UN Ambassadors tour Hezballah tunnel. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/258534


Fire kills 3 Iranian Rocket Scientist at space center. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/258531




Two Shachidim in the Shomron after attack on IDF. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/258596


Brazilian Samba Dancer wears Nazi uniform. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/258576

Ed-Op Ron Ben Yishai. General got it right politicians wrong. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5458104,00.html

Another Israeli Company may be bought out from Palo Alto Co. https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3755576,00.html

Syria: 3 of 4 S300 missile batteries ready in N. Syria. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/258648

Igbo Tribe faces extermination in Nigeria. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/258626

N. Korea and US summit in a few weeks. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/258662

Shooting survivor invited by POTUS to Congress. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/258634




Mortar shell lands in Eschol Region this morning tanks fire shells at area of launch no papers cover it yet.


Trump predicts that in a week Syria will be free of ISIS territory. https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-predicts-all-is-territory-will-be-cleared-next-week/

They only opened fire because they feared for their lives. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5459002,00.html

UK antisemitism rises to higher levels. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/258717


House pushes bill to fund Holocaust Education. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/258675

Vermont Democrats have a new leader with links to Al Qaeda. https://gellerreport.com/2019/02/al-qaeda-vt-emocrat-party-chair.html/?fbclid=IwAR3yne60S7tlIh5P64ckKvSyf2bauHfG0I6tfaRnYY594dH6xbRbmV8DrU0

Do not rejoice if your enemies fail they will try again. https://www.debka.com/two-iranian-flops-putting-a-satellite-into-orbit-and-fitting-guided-warhead-on-long-range-ballistic-missile/

Israel provides medical assistance but Gazans abandon children to infiltrate. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5459959,00.html

No joking matter. Jewish Comedian leads in Ukraine election. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5459883,00.html

Amazon looking to corner the Middle East. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5459636,00.html


Time for the Likud to decide that they can do without Netanyahu. Yemeni. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5459574,00.html




Have a wonderful Shabbos,
Rachamim Pauli
Posted by Rabbi Rachamim Pauli at 1:49 PM