Pekudei - Reading #2

Pekudei  פְקוּדֵי - Accounts
Torah Reading: Exodus 38:21-40:38
Reading #2 - Exodus 39:2–21

My Thoughts:

Forming a picture of what the Tabernacle and priestly garments would look like is often difficult. Many people have done research on this and I came upon a really great video today. Check it out: Priestly Garments. The most interesting item in the garment selection is the ephod. A sort of breast plate worn over the high priest's chest -- with the names of the twelve tribes engraved each on a special stone. And in addition a stone on each shoulder with the names of the tribes. Why was this important? The obvious answer is that Hashem carries us all on His shoulders and places our names over His heart. Just as the priests would carry the tribes, I believe so does Hashem. Think about it today. It is a wonderful feeling to know you are cared about so much by the Holy One of Israel!

Challenge:

Once again, every detail is given to the priests and the Tabernacle. Our Elohim is perfect and cares about everything -- even the smallest things. If He is so detailed about creating things -- so shouldn't we be? Sometimes I get in a hurry and overlook the small details of a project. But, after reading today's portion it makes me think we should be more careful. Maybe you are working on something today. Slow down and take time to carefully consider the smallest tasks. Whether you are creating or performing -- pay attention to it all. Make all you do as perfect as possible. Give it your best. Amen.

Reading #2 - Exodus 39:2-21

2 He made the ephod of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen. 3 They beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in with the blue, the purple, the scarlet, and the fine linen, the work of the skillful workman. 4 They made shoulder straps for it, joined together. It was joined together at the two ends. 5 The skillfully woven band that was on it, with which to fasten it on, was of the same piece, like its work: of gold, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, as Hashem commanded Moses. 6 They worked the onyx stones, enclosed in settings of gold, engraved with the engravings of a signet, according to the names of the children of Israel. 7 He put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod, to be stones of memorial for the children of Israel, as Hashem commanded Moses. 8 He made the breastplate, the work of a skillful workman, like the work of the ephod: of gold, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen. 9 It was square. They made the breastplate double. Its length was a span, and its width a span, being double. 10 They set in it four rows of stones. A row of ruby, topaz, and beryl was the first row; 11 and the second row, a turquoise, a sapphire, and an emerald; 12 and the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; 13 and the fourth row, a chrysolite, an onyx, and a jasper. They were enclosed in gold settings. 14 The stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names; like the engravings of a signet, everyone according to his name, for the twelve tribes. 15 They made on the breastplate chains like cords, of braided work of pure gold. 16 They made two settings of gold, and two gold rings, and put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate. 17 They put the two braided chains of gold in the two rings at the ends of the breastplate. 18 The other two ends of the two braided chains they put on the two settings, and put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod, in its front. 19 They made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, on its edge, which was toward the side of the ephod inward. 20 They made two more rings of gold, and put them on the two shoulder straps of the ephod underneath, in its front, close by its coupling, above the skillfully woven band of the ephod. 21 They bound the breastplate by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be on the skillfully woven band of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not come loose from the ephod, as Hashem commanded Moses.

Pekudei - Reading #1

Pekudei  פְקוּדֵי - Accounts

Torah Reading: Exodus 38:21-40:38

Reading #1— Exodus 38:21–39:1

My Thoughts:

In today’s Torah Portion we read about how all the materials and money were accounted for. When money was being donated to this purpose, Hashem made sure it was all recorded and exact. Truly, we understand why. It was a lot of money! Because the Tabernacle was such a holy place, a place where Hashem was going to show His glory – everything must be as perfect as possible. Today in our synagogues and churches do we follow the same example? Hopefully, we are using honest accounting with the gifts that people have given. There are some organizations that have gotten in trouble in this area. Check with your place of worship and make sure their accounting system is forthright.

Challenge:

I did a quick research online to see what the cost of the Tabernacle construction would be and one article claimed it would be close to 1.8 million dollars! That is not a surprise. I would have thought with the price of gold today it would be more. But, this shows us how valuable and wonderful of a place this was. It was only the best for Hashem. So, think about this. Are you giving Hashem your best? Are you willing to take your income, gifts and talents and contribute to Him – however He is requiring? I’m talking about your personal life and how you live and give. Do we need to make changes in this area?

Reading #1— Exodus 38:21–39:1

21 These are the amounts of materials used for the tabernacle, even the Tabernacle of the Testimony, as they were counted, according to the commandment of Moses, for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, the son of Aaron the priest. 22 Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that Hahsem commanded Moses. 23 With him was Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a skillful workman, and an embroiderer in blue, in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen.

24 All the gold that was used for the work in all the work of the sanctuary, even the gold of the offering, was twenty-nine talents and seven hundred thirty shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary. 25 The silver of those who were counted of the congregation was one hundred talents and one thousand seven hundred seventy-five shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary: 26 a bek a head, that is, half a shekel, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, for everyone who passed over to those who were counted, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred three thousand five hundred fifty men. 27 The one hundred talents of silver were for casting the sockets of the sanctuary and the sockets of the veil: one hundred sockets for the one hundred talents, one talent per socket. 28 From the one thousand seven hundred seventy-five shekels he made hooks for the pillars, overlaid their capitals, and made fillets for them. 29 The bronze of the offering was seventy talents and two thousand four hundred shekels. 30 With this he made the sockets to the door of the Tent of Meeting, the bronze altar, the bronze grating for it, all the vessels of the altar, 31 the sockets around the court, the sockets of the gate of the court, all the pins of the tabernacle, and all the pins around the court.

39 Of the blue, purple, and scarlet, they made finely worked garments for ministering in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron, as Hashem commanded Moses.

Pekudei - Week #11

Pekudei  פְקוּדֵי - Accounts

Torah Reading: Exodus 38:21-40:38

Haftarah: 1 Kings 7:51-8:21

Apostolic Reading: Luke 16:1-13

First reading — Exodus 38:21–39:1

Second reading — Exodus 39:2–21

Third reading — Exodus 39:22–32

Fourth reading — Exodus 39:33–43

Fifth reading — Exodus 40:1–16

Sixth reading — Exodus 40:17–27

Seventh reading — Exodus 40:28–38

Vayakhel - Reading #7

Vayakhel  וַיַּקְהֵל - And He Assembled

Torah Reading: Exodus 35:1-38:20

Haftarah: 2 Kings 11:17-12:17

Apostolic Reading: Matthew 12:1-13

Reading #7 - Exodus 38:1–20

My Thoughts:

Verse 8 refers to women ministering in the Tabernacle, or at least at the door. There is some speculation as to what this means but we can only believe that women played a large part in the development of the Tabernacle. They most likely helped out in any way possible. They most likely donated items along with the men, cleaned and made things. I can only imagine how amazed and excited they were to learn more about Hashem every day and witness His great miracles! What a privilege to be with Moses and Israel during such a time as this.

Challenge:

The women were “ministering” at the door of the Tabernacle (verse 8). What does that look like? Did they have a ladle and basin of water to offer drinks to those coming into the Tabernacle? Were they standing there praying and praising Hashem? Were they there simply offering any help that anyone needed? We can only speculate, but the point is – they were there. Has Hashem called you to be somewhere to “minister” to people? It could be anywhere. The grocery store, the gas station, work, home, church, synagogue – all places where Hashem can give us “divine appointments” to minister Hashem’s love to others. Be aware as you go through your day for your chance to “minister” to others. It is a privilege. 

Reading #7 - Exodus 38:1-20

38 He made the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood. It was square. Its length was five cubits, its width was five cubits, and its height was three cubits. 2 He made its horns on its four corners. Its horns were of one piece with it, and he overlaid it with bronze. 3 He made all the vessels of the altar: the pots, the shovels, the basins, the forks, and the fire pans. He made all its vessels of bronze. 4 He made for the altar a grating of a network of bronze, under the ledge around it beneath, reaching halfway up. 5 He cast four rings for the four corners of bronze grating, to be places for the poles. 6 He made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with bronze. 7 He put the poles into the rings on the sides of the altar, with which to carry it. He made it hollow with planks.

8 He made the basin of bronze, and its base of bronze, out of the mirrors of the ministering women who ministered at the door of the Tent of Meeting.

9 He made the court: for the south side southward the hangings of the court were of fine twined linen, one hundred cubits; 10 their pillars were twenty, and their sockets twenty, of bronze; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver. 11 For the north side one hundred cubits, their pillars twenty, and their sockets twenty, of bronze; the hooks of the pillars, and their fillets, of silver. 12 For the west side were hangings of fifty cubits, their pillars ten, and their sockets ten; the hooks of the pillars, and their fillets, of silver. 13 For the east side eastward fifty cubits, 14 the hangings for the one side were fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three; 15 and so for the other side: on this hand and that hand by the gate of the court were hangings of fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three. 16 All the hangings around the court were of fine twined linen. 17 The sockets for the pillars were of bronze. The hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver. Their capitals were overlaid with silver. All the pillars of the court had silver bands. 18 The screen for the gate of the court was the work of the embroiderer, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen. Twenty cubits was the length, and the height along the width was five cubits, like the hangings of the court. 19 Their pillars were four, and their sockets four, of bronze; their hooks of silver, and the overlaying of their capitals, and their fillets, of silver. 20 All the pins of the tabernacle, and around the court, were of bronze.

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

In verse 2 and 3 we read about King Keshoash, “Jehoash did that which was right in Hashem’s eyes all his days in which Jehoiada the priest instructed him. However the high places were not taken away.” Doesn’t this strike you as so tragic? Here the young king is following and honoring Hashem, except to remove the “high places” – the places of idol worship. Then I got to thinking, isn’t that alot like us as believers and what we do? We go to Hashem and profess our love for Him. We repent, we worship Him, we pray - we ask for favor. But, we leave many “places” of idol worship in our lives. Take a moment to think about the possible “places” in your life where you have not turned them fully over to Hashem. And then take time today to repent and do so.

Challenge:

We learn in Chapter 12 where the King is asking money from the people to repair the Temple (house). Seems like there is a small dispute of whether to use this money to do repairs. But, somehow the money is produced and used to pay the workers. What bothered me was the “hesitation”. If we had a Temple here on earth, in Jerusalem, and it was in need of repair – would we hesitate to invest in the repairs? I guess it’s all about priorities. I challenge you today to look at your priorities. What is important to you in regards to serving Hashem? Are you giving of your time, talents and finances to help build the Kingdom?

Haftarah: 2 Kings 11:17-12:17

17 Jehoiada made a covenant between Hashem and the king and the people, that they should be Hashem’s people; also between the king and the people. 18 All the people of the land went to the house of Baal, and broke it down. They broke his altars and his images in pieces thoroughly, and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. The priest appointed officers over Hashem’s house. 19 He took the captains over hundreds, and the Carites, and the guard, and all the people of the land; and they brought down the king from Hashem’s house, and came by the way of the gate of the guard to the king’s house. He sat on the throne of the kings. 20 So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet. They had slain Athaliah with the sword at the king’s house.

21 Jehoash was seven years old when he began to reign.

12 Jehoash began to reign in the seventh year of Jehu, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zibiah of Beersheba. 2 Jehoash did that which was right in Hashem’s eyes all his days in which Jehoiada the priest instructed him. 3 However the high places were not taken away. The people still sacrificed and burned incense in the high places. 4 Jehoash said to the priests, “All the money of the holy things that is brought into Hashem’s house, in current money, the money of the people for whom each man is evaluated, and all the money that it comes into any man’s heart to bring into Hashem’s house, 5 let the priests take it to them, each man from his donor; and they shall repair the damage to the house, wherever any damage is found.”

6 But it was so, that in the twenty-third year of king Jehoash the priests had not repaired the damage to the house. 7 Then king Jehoash called for Jehoiada the priest, and for the other priests, and said to them, “Why don’t you repair the damage to the house? Now therefore take no more money from your treasurers, but deliver it for repair of the damage to the house.”

8 The priests consented that they should take no more money from the people, and not repair the damage to the house. 9 But Jehoiada the priest took a chest, and bored a hole in its lid, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one comes into Hashem’s house; and the priests who kept the threshold put all the money that was brought into Hashem’s house into it. 10 When they saw that there was much money in the chest, the king’s scribe and the high priest came up, and they put it in bags and counted the money that was found in Hashem’s house. 11 They gave the money that was weighed out into the hands of those who did the work, who had the oversight of Hashem’s house; and they paid it out to the carpenters and the builders, who worked on Hashem’s house, 12 and to the masons and the stonecutters, and for buying timber and cut stone to repair the damage to Hashem’s house, and for all that was laid out for the house to repair it. 13 But there were not made for Hashem’s house cups of silver, snuffers, basins, trumpets, any vessels of gold, or vessels of silver, of the money that was brought into Hashem’s house; 14 for they gave that to those who did the work, and repaired Hashem’s house with it. 15 Moreover they didn’t demand an accounting from the men into whose hand they delivered the money to give to those who did the work; for they dealt faithfully. 16 The money for the trespass offerings, and the money for the sin offerings was not brought into Hashem’s house. It was the priests’.

17 Then Hazael king of Syria went up, and fought against Gath, and took it; and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem.

Apostolic Reading

My Thoughts:

The real question in today’s reading is what is allowed on the Sabbath. Of course, every Scripture verse can be interpreted individually, but I believe what Yeshua is saying is this – if you can help someone on the Sabbath – then do it! He confirms this in verse 12, “Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day”. For those of you who follow the Seventh Day Sabbath Commandment, I encourage you to spend some thinking about what Yeshua is teaching here. What I absolutely love about Yeshua’s teachings is that He always looks at the “heart” of Torah. Yes, Hashem is telling us to “rest” on the Sabbath, but He also tells us to love others more than ourselves. And to help them whenever we are able. If the Sabbath is the only time your friend/family needs important help, I believe Yeshua is telling you that it is alright to do so. Something to pray about for sure.

Challenge:

Some people did not like that Yeshua was doing bold things, like eating grain and healing on the Sabbath. But, these were things He felt were important. His disciples were hungry and a man needed healing. These were “good” things. Does Hashem ever ask you to step out of your comfort zone and do something that others may perceive as “wrong”. But, because Hashem has asked you – you know it is right! Do you shrink back or obey? We are human, but we have got to learn to listen and obey Hashem first. We serve Hashem not man. I encourage you to move forward with boldness with that task(s). You will be blessed.

Apostolic Reading: Matthew 12:1-13

12 At that time,Yeshua  went on the Sabbath day through the grain fields. His disciples were hungry and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2 But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said to Him, “Behold, Your disciples do what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.”

3 But He said to them, “Haven’t you read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: 4 how he entered into Hashem’s house and ate the show bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? 6 But I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. 7 But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you wouldn’t have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of Man is L-rd of the Sabbath.”

9 He departed from there and went into their synagogue. 10 And behold, there was a man with a withered hand. They asked Him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?” so that they might accuse Him.

11 He said to them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if this one falls into a pit on the Sabbath day, won’t he grab on to it and lift it out? 12 Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day.” 13 Then He told the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out; and it was restored whole, just like the other.

Vayakhel - Reading #6

Vayakhel  וַיַּקְהֵל - And He Assembled

Torah Reading: Exodus 35:1-38:20

Reading #6 - Exodus 37:17–29

My Thoughts:

This Torah portion goes into detail how the lamp stand is to be made. Why does Hashem need a lamp stand when He is pure light? Remember the Tabernacle has no windows. So there is no natural light coming in from the outside. And even if His glory will shine inside the Holy of Holies, there will be minimal light in the Most Holy Place. Hence, the lamp stand. It is made specially of gold and with intricate flowers. Everything inside the Tabernacle has meaning and was created a certain way for a reason. Even the number of lights needed is important and makes for an interesting study. Maybe try doing some investigation about this today.

Challenge:

The incense table is important in the Tabernacle. Some have assumed that it is necessary to provide “smoke” so as to “cover” Hashem’s presence in the Holy of Holies. Others say Hashem loves the sweet fragrance of the incense. Remember the recipe to create the incense can not be used for personal needs – only to be present in the Tabernacle. In Scripture it is written that our prayers ascend to Hashem like incense (Psalm 141:2). This is especially important to remember during a time on earth where there isn’t a holy Temple. Maybe we can make this an intentional gift to Hashem to send up prayers daily – like an incense. A sweet aroma to Hashem!

Reading #6 - Exodus 37:17–29

17 He made the lamp stand of pure gold. He made the lamp stand of beaten work. Its base, its shaft, its cups, its buds, and its flowers were of one piece with it. 18 There were six branches going out of its sides: three branches of the lamp stand out of its one side, and three branches of the lamp stand out of its other side: 19 three cups made like almond blossoms in one branch, a bud and a flower, and three cups made like almond blossoms in the other branch, a bud and a flower; so for the six branches going out of the lamp stand. 20 In the lamp stand were four cups made like almond blossoms, its buds and its flowers; 21 and a bud under two branches of one piece with it, and a bud under two branches of one piece with it, and a bud under two branches of one piece with it, for the six branches going out of it. 22 Their buds and their branches were of one piece with it. The whole thing was one beaten work of pure gold. 23 He made its seven lamps, and its snuffers, and its snuff dishes, of pure gold. 24 He made it of a talent of pure gold, with all its vessels.

25 He made the altar of incense of acacia wood. It was square: its length was a cubit, and its width a cubit. Its height was two cubits. Its horns were of one piece with it. 26 He overlaid it with pure gold: its top, its sides around it, and its horns. He made a gold molding around it. 27 He made two golden rings for it under its molding crown, on its two ribs, on its two sides, for places for poles with which to carry it. 28 He made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold. 29 He made the holy anointing oil and the pure incense of sweet spices, after the art of the perfumer.

Vayakhel - Reading #5

Vayakhel  וַיַּקְהֵל - And He Assembled

Torah Reading: Exodus 35:1-38:20

Reading #5 - Exodus 36:20–37:16

My Thoughts:

I was reading online about acacia wood. That it is basically indestructible. It is very resistant to any type of bugs and diseases. This makes sense that Hashem would pick this type of wood to encompass the most sacred “housing” for Himself. The whole “house” and walls of the Tabernacle are made of this wood. And there are no windows to allow for fresh air. You would need this type of wood, acacia, to protect what you were placing inside of your dwelling. Hashem knows about everything and is particular. We need to pay attention to that.

Challenge:

In verses 37:1-9 we read about the construction requirements for the Ark of the Covenant (mercy seat). Remember, this the “chair” in the Holy of Holies in which the Elohim of everything will be dwelling. It is all covered with gold and specifically “covered” with angels. Angels worship Elohim in heaven, now He is wanting them to play an important part of His revelation on earth. I really believe we each have an angel watching over our lives. Psalm 91:11-12 confirms this – His angels are sent to be given charge over our lives. Maybe it’s time we actually thank Hashem for giving us angels to watch out for us. I encourage you to take time for that right now.

Reading #5 - Exodus 36:20–37:16

20 He made the boards for the Tabernacle of acacia wood, standing up. 21 Ten cubits was the length of a board, and a cubit and a half the width of each board. 22 Each board had two tenons, joined to one another. He made all the boards of the tabernacle this way. 23 He made the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards for the south side southward. 24 He made 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. 25 For the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, he made twenty boards 26 and their forty sockets of silver: two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board. 27 For the far part of the tabernacle westward he made six boards. 28 He made two boards for the corners of the tabernacle in the far part. 29 They were double beneath, and in the same way they were all the way to its top to one ring. He did this to both of them in the two corners. 30 There were eight boards and their sockets of silver, sixteen sockets—under every board two sockets.

31 He made bars of acacia wood: five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle, 32 and five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the tabernacle for the hinder part westward. 33 He made the middle bar to pass through in the middle of the boards from the one end to the other. 34 He overlaid the boards with gold, and made their rings of gold as places for the bars, and overlaid the bars with gold.

35 He made the veil of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cherubim. He made it the work of a skillful workman. 36 He made four pillars of acacia for it, and overlaid them with gold. Their hooks were of gold. He cast four sockets of silver for them. 37 He made a screen for the door of the tent, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of an embroiderer; 38 and the five pillars of it with their hooks. He overlaid their capitals and their fillets with gold, and their five sockets were of bronze.

37 Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood. Its length was two and a half cubits, and its width a cubit and a half, and a cubit and a half its height. 2 He overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside, and made a molding of gold for it around it. 3 He cast four rings of gold for it in its four feet—two rings on its one side, and two rings on its other side. 4 He made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. 5 He put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, to bear the ark. 6 He made a mercy seat of pure gold. Its length was two and a half cubits, and a cubit and a half its width. 7 He made two cherubim of gold. He made them of beaten work, at the two ends of the mercy seat: 8 one cherub at the one end, and one cherub at the other end. He made the cherubim of one piece with the mercy seat at its two ends. 9 The cherubim spread out their wings above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, with their faces toward one another. The faces of the cherubim were toward the mercy seat.

10 He made the table of acacia wood. Its length was two cubits, and its width was a cubit, and its height was a cubit and a half. 11 He overlaid it with pure gold, and made a gold molding around it. 12 He made a border of a hand’s width around it, and made a golden molding on its border around it. 13 He cast four rings of gold for it, and put the rings in the four corners that were on its four feet. 14 The rings were close by the border, the places for the poles to carry the table. 15 He made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold, to carry the table. 16 He made the vessels which were on the table, its dishes, its spoons, its bowls, and its pitchers with which to pour out, of pure gold.

Vayakhel - Reading #4

Vayakhel  וַיַּקְהֵל - And He Assembled

Torah Reading: Exodus 35:1-38:20

Reading #4 - Exodus 36:8–19

My Thoughts:

In verse 19 we read that there will be animal skins required to cover the top of the Tabernacle. Interesting that Hashem would choose skins – which means the animals had to be sacrificed for this purpose. Maybe this is a reminder that Hashem requires the most from us, that is, sacrificing meaningful possessions such as animals. In today’s culture we don’t really have to “sacrifice” our physical possessions anymore for Hashem. But, maybe what can replace it is the sacrifice of our time, money and talents. What would be a “sacrifice” for you to give up for Hashem?

Challenge:

Once again we read about the wise-hearted men working on the Tabernacle. Some translations use the word “skillful” instead of wise-hearted. Hashem was picking people who had the skills and the heart to carry out His specific instructions. Each of us have been gifted with special skills. Do we use these skills just to make money or do we use them for the Kingdom – the purposes of Hashem. Review the unique skills that you have in your life and think about how you can use them to help others and to help Hashem. You will be blessed in return.

Reading #4 - Exodus 36:8-19

8 All the wise-hearted men among those who did the work made the Tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, blue, purple, and scarlet. They made them with cherubim, the work of a skillful workman. 9 The length of each curtain was twenty-eight cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits. All the curtains had one measure. 10 He coupled five curtains to one another, and the other five curtains he coupled to one another. 11 He made loops of blue on the edge of the one curtain from the edge in the coupling. Likewise he made in the edge of the curtain that was outermost in the second coupling. 12 He made fifty loops in the one curtain, and he made fifty loops in the edge of the curtain that was in the second coupling. The loops were opposite to one another. 13 He made fifty clasps of gold, and coupled the curtains to one another with the clasps: so the tabernacle was a unit.

14 He made curtains of goats’ hair for a covering over the tabernacle. He made them eleven curtains. 15 The length of each curtain was thirty cubits, and four cubits the width of each curtain. The eleven curtains had one measure. 16 He coupled five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves. 17 He made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that was outermost in the coupling, and he made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain which was outermost in the second coupling. 18 He made fifty clasps of bronze to couple the tent together, that it might be a unit. 19 He made a covering for the tent of rams’ skins dyed red, and a covering of sea cow hides above.