The Tanakh Podcast

Delve into the fascinating world of Korban Mincha, the flour offering that comes in five unique recipes! Explore the distinction between voluntary and obligatory offerings, and discover the core ingredients of flour, oil, and frankincense. Unpack the emotional significance behind the Mincha, linked to humility and devotion. Learn why chametz and honey are prohibited, symbolizing pride. Plus, find out how this offering connects to the daily manna and reflects the essence of daily sustenance.

Explore the ancient practice of korbanot and its evolution over 2000 years. Discover what the term 'korban' truly means and its significance in bringing people closer to the divine. Dive into the perspectives of Jewish thinkers like Maimonides and Nachmanides, who debated the rationale behind sacrifices. Learn how these rituals served as both expressions of remorse and social communication, creating a symbolic language with God. Each type of offering conveys different emotions, from joy to repentance.

Shemot ends with the assembly of all the constituent parts of the Mishkan and God's "glory-Kavod" resting within the Mishkan.We spend todays podcast discussing the structure of Shemot according to two systems - that of Ramban and that of Rashi. They each teach different messages about the spiritual thrust of the book.

What is the connection between the Mishkan, Creation, and Shabbat?

The washbasin, the kiyor, was a feature of the Mishkan.What purpose did it serve? How does Halakha reflect its use even today?Our chapter informs us that the kiyor was constructed from donations of women's mirrors. To what might this detail be alluding?

The Ark sits at the epicenter of the MishkanWhat does it symbolize?In fact it is not just one of the Temple vessels but two parts that have a dynamic relationship between them.

The boards of the Mishkan are pretty large; too large to be constructed from the Acacia trees in the Sinai desert! So where did the timber come from?

The details of the Tabernacle are repeated over and over in chapter 35-40. Why? We have a tradition that the Torah is highly economical with its language, but these chapters seem to contradict that assumption. Why the detailed recapitualations?

Are the second tablets the same as the first?On the one hand - yes! They are a renewal of the covenant!And yet, the rabbis saw an innovation here that was critical to the work of human application and interpretation.

After the great sin of the Golden Calf. How are God and Israel to move on together?In this chapter we see:1. Israel expressing remorse2. Moses arguing with God to eek out a mechanism whereby God might coexist with a sinful nation.