Parashat Ki Tisa

Revision as of 14:17, 13 February 2014

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.

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....

1. Shemen Zayit - Olive oil measuring one Hin
2. Muhr Dror - Pure myrrh weighing 500 shekels.
3. Kinhamon Bosem - Fragrant cinnamon weighing 500 shekels.
4. Kaneh Bosem - Fragrant cane weighing 250 shekels.
5. Kidah - Cassia weighing 500 shekels.

Anointments

One anointed these vessels became categorized as 'holy of holies' and any object that touched them became 'holy'.

1. Ohel Moed - Tent of Meeting
2. Aron Hadut - Ark of Testimony
3. Shulchan - Table including all its vessels
4. Menorah - Candelabra including all its vessels
5. Mizbeach HaKetoret - Altar of incense
6. Mizbeach Ha'olah - Altar of the burnt offering
7. 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

Mishkan Construction

Chet Haegel

Punishment For Chet Haegel

Second Luchos