Parashat Ki Tisa
Parashat Ki Tisa is the ninth parsha in the Book of Shemos. It contains 132 pesukim. For the Haftora the story of Eliyahu's miraculous sacrifice on Mount Carmel is read.
Contents |
Machatzit HaShekel
Hashem tells Moshe to count the Jews by collecting a half a shekel per each male above age twenty. By then calculating the total of the Jewish Nation through the counting of the coins, Moshe is able to avoid the creation of a devastating plague that could incur had he counted the actual people. Additionally the silver coins from this collection are to be used for the creation of the Adanim and Vavim in the Mishkan and will serve as a remembrance of the Jews before Hashem and as a partial rectification for the 'sin of the golden calf'.
Half a Shekel
Each shekel equaled twenty Gerahs, making each half shekel coin equal ten Gerah. Half shekel coins were minted from silver.
The Collection
Only males over the age of twenty, the age of army eligibility, were subject to the Machatzit HaShekel collection. Each individual had to submit precisely a half a shekel, not more, not less, regardless if the individual was wealthy or poor.
Kiyor HaNechoshet
Hashem tells Moshe to create a copper washstand that would be used by the Kohanim to wash their hands and feet before entering Ohel Moed or performing any rituals by the external altar. Doing either of the above without first washing the hands and feet is punishable by death. The washstand is to be placed between Ohel Moed and the altar.
Shemen HaMishcha
Hashem tells Moshe to create holy anointing oil.
Components
The Shemen HaMishcha anointing oil was only to be compounded from the finest spices using the art of the perfumer. It included....
- Shemen Zayit - Olive oil measuring one Hin
- Muhr Dror - Pure myrrh weighing 500 shekels.
- Kinhamon Bosem - Fragrant cinnamon weighing 500 shekels.
- Kaneh Bosem - Fragrant cane weighing 250 shekels.
- Kidah - Cassia weighing 500 shekels.
Anointments
One anointed these vessels became categorized as 'holy of holies' and any object that touched them became 'holy'.
- Ohel Moed - Tent of Meeting
- Aron Hadut - Ark of Testimony
- Shulchan - Table including all its vessels
- Menorah - Candelabra including all its vessels
- Mizbeach HaKetoret - Altar of incense
- Mizbeach Ha'olah - Altar of the burnt offering
- Aharon and his sons - Aharon and his four sone Nadav, Avihu, Elazar and Itamar.
Exclusivity
It is forbidden to compound oil using the Shemen Hamishcha formula. Additionally it is forbidden to use this oil on anyone other then Kings and the Kohe Gadol. Anyone who transgress the above receives Karet and becomes cut off from his people.
Ketoret HaSamim
Hashem tells Moshe to create an incense formula, compounding it according to the art of the perfumer, to be burnt twice daily on the golden altar inside Ohel Moed. It should be well blended, pure, and holy.
Ingredients
The Ketoret incense contained 11 main spices. Four are written openly in the Torah and the rest are alluded to in the verse.
- Nataf - Balsam sap equaling 70 Mana
- Shichelet - Onycha equaling 70 Mana
- Chelbona - Galbanum equaling 70 Mana
- Levona - Pure frankincense equaling 70 Mana
Exclusivity
It is forbidden to compound incense using the Ketoret formula. Anyone who clones the Ketoret to smell it's fragrance, receives Karet and becomes cut off from his people.