The opening two verses of Parashat Tetzaveh are somewhat perplexing: “You shall further instruct the Israelites to bring you clear oil of beaten olives for lighting, for kindling lamps regularly.

In parshat Trumah the people of Israel are called upon to contribute to the building of the temple – gold, silver, copper, dyed wool, animal skins, and more. On Mount Sinai, Moses is given detailed ...

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This Shabbat morning we will read from three Torah-scrolls: From the first, we will read the weekly Torah-reading, Parashat Terumah (Exodus 25:1-27:19); however it is divided into six Aliyot instead ...

After repeatedly denouncing and prohibiting the creation of statues, portrayals of the human form, or anything resembling idols—on pain of death—God issues an unusual command. In the construction of ...

The parsha of Terumah follows those of Mishpatim and Yitro. In parshat Yitro we experienced the moment of the revelation at Mount Sinai and the granting of the Torah to the Jewish people. In parshat ...

It is often hard to accept that we learn in different ways. Sometimes, we immediately grasp material and on other occasions, we struggle. We find ourselves envious of someone else’s talents, ...

In Parshat Terumah, we are given explicit details about how to build the mishkan, the Tabernacle that traveled with the nation of Israel through the wilderness. In this video, Rabbi Fohrman argues ...

Bearing in mind that prayer is not confined to any place, why are there designated places – like synagogues – for tefillah? To answer this question, let us consider the first time the Israelites ...

While people need a place to feel God’s presence, is it possible for God to be contained in any particular space? King Solomon makes this point when he dedicates the Holy Temple. He declares “Behold, ...