Noahide Singapore

 After describing the construction of the temple and its furnishings, but not yet detailing the priestly garments for Aaron and his sons, the Torah describes the total donations received for the construction. That is the number (pekudei) for the construction of the Mishkan (tent of testimony) counted at the command of Moses, the counting being done by the Levites under the direction of Ithamar, son of the high priest Aaron. The most straightforward understanding of Pekudei is that it refers to an inventory or numerical count of the materials donated for the construction of the Mishkan and pekudei as the accounting of materials. The Torah lists how much gold, silver, and copper were received and details how they were used in the various components of the temple and Rashi (one of the most famous Torah interpreters) explains that Moses did not simply collect resources. He meticulously counted each donation to ensure there was no fraud or misuse of materials and the midrash Tanchuma ex...

 Moses gathered the Jews and told them “we are building the tabernacle of the Lord; here is a list of the things you must donate” and the people gave so much that Moses had to order them to stop giving. The only time in recorded history that a rabbi had to stop a solicitation for donations because the donations were too much or too much. What does the name Vayakhel mean? Vayakhel means to gather, to bring together, it embodies the concept of summarizing, totaling and seeing the big picture. Life is made up of two parts: 1. The individual part 2. The whole part Vayakhel teaches an important lesson that we must consider the big picture, we must also see the whole project.

 The ninth section of Exodus begins with God’s final instructions regarding the tabernacle and God tells Moses to take a census or count (in Hebrew, Tisha) of the adult Jewish males by collecting a half-shekel of silver from each man. The silver collected was then used to purchase the sacrifices that were offered on behalf of the entire Jewish nation. God then goes on to instruct Moses on how to make the water jars that the priests used to wash their hands and feet before serving in the tabernacle. Instructions on how to make them, how to use the anointing oil and frankincense, who should be appointed to supervise the construction of the tabernacle and the making of its furniture and utensils. All of this is followed by the story of the Golden Calf and its aftermath, then for the third time God calls Moses up to Mount Sinai for 40 days, during which time God reveals thirteen of His merciful attributes to Moses. With these merciful attributes, God’s forgiveness would always be avail...

 Rashi teaches us in the weekly reading, Tetzaveh. “And you shall command the Children of Israel to take pure pressed olive oil for light, to keep the lamp burning continually.” The “lamp” refers to the Menorah in the Temple, and Rashi quotes the Talmudic teaching that the requirement is to light the menorah “so that its flame burns by itself” and the kohen who lights the Menorah must make sure that the flame is strong and steady and will go out when he leaves. Often, we light a candle, and it flickers for a moment, then goes out as soon as we turn away and the instruction here is to make sure that the flame burns properly and will continue to burn long after we have left and this is also a guideline for life. It is not enough to just light a candle and we must make sure that it lasts a long time and there must be enough oil, wick and whatever is needed for the candle to last a long time and in life, whether in business or in our relationships it must last for the long term. There ...

 God wanted to build a tabernacle, literally “His dwelling place” on earth, and the Israelites were asked to contribute with what they had. This raises an important question: If God wanted it, why didn’t He provide for all the necessities? The answer to this question is found in the teaching of the “Bati Legani” written by the 6th Rebbe of Chabad, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson. “They shall make Me a dwelling place, and I will dwell in them” (Exodus 25:8). God dwells in them, not just in them, not in the physical building built by the Israelites. By contributing to the “Project of God” in this case the Tabernacle, the Israelites made themselves a spiritual Tabernacle and a place where God truly resides, in each of us. Likewise, other nations, when they take part in the “Project of God” that we are a part of, are building a Tabernacle for Him in each of us.

 After giving the Torah to the Jewish people, God told Moses to climb Mount Sinai again and this time God would teach him the details of the Torah for 40 days. The sixth section of Exodus is basically the law code (misapatim, in Hebrew) that God taught Moses while he was on Mount Sinai. God also taught Moses the law regarding damage caused by animals or someone’s property, including holes dug in public spaces. If someone finds or digs a hole… and an ox or a donkey falls into it, then the person responsible for the hole must pay the consequences. (Exodus 21:33-34). The same law that applies to holes (i.e. the danger of falling/drowning) applies to raised barriers or other dangerous obstacles. Spiritually, a hole symbolizes our ability to receive from our ability to give. If used properly, this ability can be beneficial but without proper supervision, it can cause harm. If we give and receive carelessly, not paying attention to what or how much we give or receive or to whom we give o...

 Jethro had several names: Jethro is called by seven names in the Tanakh: Re’uel, Jether, Jethro, Hovav, Hever, Keni and Putiel. Each name reflects a different quality or accomplishment. For example, “Jether” (add) alludes to the Torah section about judges that was added because of him, and “Hovav” (appreciate) highlights his respect for the Torah itself. His descendants married prominent figures: In addition to Moses, Jethro’s descendants connected him with several other notable people. Elazar, the son of Aaron the high priest, married Jethro’s granddaughter, and Jael, the heroine who killed the Canaanite general Sisera, also married one of his descendants. Jethro was an advisor to Pharaoh: According to tradition recorded in the Talmud, Jethro served as an advisor to Pharaoh before the enslavement of the Jews and, along with Balaam and Job, advised him on the oppression of the Jews. Jethro opposed the plan and fled the land of Egypt to avoid the negative consequences, even risking...

 Jethro (also known as Jethro or Yisro) was a midian priest, he was the father-in-law of Moses, who was destined to be bound to the Jews, a pagan who ended up embracing the truth of Judaism. His wise advice to Moses greatly improved the Jewish justice system, Jethro is also the name of one of the few people chosen to be the name for the reading of the Torah parsha. Jethro is described as a priest in Midian, a priest of the pagans, there was no idol that he had not served, before turning to the true God and the Torah. When Moses fled from Egypt, he met Jethro's 7 daughters at the well of Midian and Moses heroically protected them from other shepherds and gave their flock water to drink. In the end, Moses married Tziporah and became a sheep herder for his father-in-law. Jethro traveled to the desert to study the Torah and at God's command, Moses finally left the Land of Midian to ransom the Israelites out of Egypt, he left his wife and children with his father-in-law. Jethro hear...

 After leaving Egypt, the Israelites traveled in the desert, for 40 years and every day they received manna, the Miracle food, it was made specifically for each person even the amount was exactly as each individual needed. The manna was of the best quality, it could taste anything they liked, even their favorite snack but there was one problem: they could not store it overnight, if stored, it would rot. Just imagine… if God gave them the best quality food, in the right portions for their needs, with the taste they wanted, why couldn’t it be stored for the next day?  Because they were under a slavery mentality, they had experienced prolonged trauma, they had been slaves for 210 years with a mindset of constant lack and fear. What was on their minds was, "What if I don't have anything to eat tomorrow?" God loved the Israeli people so much that every day He led and trained their faith (bitachon). Sleep at night with nothing in the cupboard, no blankets and every morning, see...