The Tanakh Podcast

Our chapter tells the story of the Golden Calf.Did the Israelites, who heard God speak from heaven, genuinely think that they could exchange God with an image of a calf that they had constructed? How did they fall so swiftly into idolatry?

Our chapter introduces the artisans of the Mishkan - Betzalel and Oholiav - and this gives us the opportunity to explore Judaism's attitude to art.

Ch.30-31 give us 7 appendices to the instructions of the Mishkan. We focus today on the contribution of the half-shekel - where does it originate and what was the money used for?

In this chapter we speak about the "Miluim" - a seven day inauguration of the Mishkan and the Kohanim.And we ask why Channuka is 8 days.

Chapter 28 describes the special robes of the HIgh priest.But what is written upon them??

Chapter 27 closes with the instruction to contribute oil for the Menorah and to light the candles from evening to morning. Why is this paragraph here? And what might it tell us about Channuka?

Today we speak about:1. The multiple coverings of the Mishkan. Why is the Mishkan so rich inside and so plain on the outside?2. We speak about the engaging language that depicts the coverings and boards of the Mishkan: sister to sister; brother to brother. What does it mean?

Why did God command Israel to build a sanctuary?If God cannot be contained by a physical structure, what do we mean by: "Make me a Sanctuary that I may dwell among them"(25:8)?What is the focal point of the Sanctuary?And

In this chapter the Jewish people make a covenant at Sinai.They proclaim "Naaseh VeNIshma - We will do and we will hear!"But what is the conent of this covenant?And when exactly did it happen?

This chapter offers an eclectic mix of topics; from judicial procedure, to Shabbat and Shemitta and the festivals, and it ends with a projection and a strategic plan of how the nation will enter the land of Canaan. We try to look under the surface of this chapter and the society is envisages.