In this Shabbat’s weekly Torah portion Pekudei, Exodus 38:21–40:38, An accounting is made of the gold, silver and copper donated by the people for the making of the Mishkan. Betzalel, Aholiav and their assistants make the eight priestly garments—the apron, breastplate, cloak, crown, hat, tunic, sash and breeches—according to the specifications communicated to Moses in the Parshah of Tetzaveh.
The Mishkan is completed and all its components are brought to Moses, who erects it and anoints it with the holy anointing oil, and initiates Aaron and his four sons into the priesthood. A cloud appears over the Mishkan, signifying the Divine Presence that has come to dwell within it.
Click here to continue reading >>In this week’s Haftara Prophets reading I Kings 7:51-8:21, describes the dedication of Solomon’s Temple, following the theme of this week’s Torah reading: the dedication of the desert Tabernacle.
The construction of the Holy Temple was completed. King Solomon assembled the leaders and elders of the tribes to Jerusalem, and amidst great fanfare the Levites transported the Ark from its temporary location in the City of David and installed it in the Holy of Holies chamber in the Holy Temple. Immediately, God’s presence appeared in the Temple, in the form of a smoky cloud.
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