G-d instructs Moshe to collect the materials that are needed to build the Sanctuary. He gives exact details on how the Tabernacle and other furnishings are to be made. Moshe is instructed how to build the Ark of Testimony. It is to be made of wood, and covered within and without with gold. It has rings attached, and poles which are inserted in them with which to carry it. There is a golden cover for the Ark, on which two golden cherubs are standing with their wings outstretched. The tablets will be placed in the Ark, and the cover placed on top.
The table is also made of wood covered with gold; it too has rings and poles for carrying. On it are placed the showbreads, which are baked in special moulds that give them two “faces”. The menorah is to be made of pure gold. It has six branches extending out from a central stem, each of which faces back towards a central flame.
These three items are to be placed in the Tabernacle itself. The Tabernacle is a tent, constructed of tapestries covered with a layer of goat’s wool. These are draped over a frame of wooden beams. The Tabernacle is to be 30 cubits (about 45′) in length, and 12 cubits (18′) in width. Within this Tabernacle is to be a partition to separate the “Holy of Holies”, which contains the Ark, and the “Holy” containing the table and menorah and incense altar. The partition is to be of sky-blue tapestry, with cherubs woven into it.
Moshe is instructed to build an altar for animal sacrifices. This is to be made of wood, and is to be 5 cubits x 5 cubits x 3 cubits (7.5′ x 7.5′ x 4.5′). It also has rings and poles for carrying. The altar is to be placed outside the Tabernacle, and both the Tabernacle and altar are to be surrounded by an enclosure. The enclosure is to be 5 cubits high (7.5′) made of woven tapestry, and will measure 100 cubits x 50 cubits (150′ x 75′).
| David Sedley on the Parsha | David Sedley’s Times of Israel Blogs on Terumah | Tosefet Beracha |
|---|---|---|
| Terumah | Wealth economy The Golden Tent | Tosefet Beracha on Terumah |