Parashat Ki Tisa
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===Ingredients=== | ===Ingredients=== | ||
| − | The Ketoret incense contained 11 main spices. Four are written openly in the Torah and the rest are alluded to in the verse. | + | The Ketoret incense contained 11 main spices. Four are written openly in the Torah and the rest are alluded to in the verse. All spices had to be pure (Tahor) from any spiritual impurities (Tumah), they had to be purchased using sacred money (Hekdesh) and had to be ground up very finely. |
# '''Nataf''' - Balsam sap equaling 70 Mana. Nataf is also called 'Tzari' since it is sap that comes from a 'Tzari' tree. | # '''Nataf''' - Balsam sap equaling 70 Mana. Nataf is also called 'Tzari' since it is sap that comes from a 'Tzari' tree. | ||
# '''Shichelet''' - Onycha equaling 70 Mana. Shichelet is also called 'Tziporen'. | # '''Shichelet''' - Onycha equaling 70 Mana. Shichelet is also called 'Tziporen'. | ||
# '''Chelbona''' - Galbanum equaling 70 Mana. This spice had a horrid smell and its inclusion comes to symbolize how the wicked should be included in gatherings of repentance. | # '''Chelbona''' - Galbanum equaling 70 Mana. This spice had a horrid smell and its inclusion comes to symbolize how the wicked should be included in gatherings of repentance. | ||
| − | # '''Levona''' - Pure frankincense equaling 70 Mana | + | # '''Levona''' - Pure frankincense equaling 70 Mana. This frankincense first had to undergo a purification process. |
===Exclusivity=== | ===Exclusivity=== | ||
Revision as of 07:36, 18 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.
Contents
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Machatzit HaShekel
Hashem tells Moshe to count the Jews by collecting a half a shekel per each male above the age twenty. By 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. This method was to be used any time the Jews are to be counted.
Here the Jews were counted to update their population status after the fatalities suffered due to the Chet Haegel from the drinking of the powdered waters, the mass execution led by the Levim and the large plague that took place. Counting the Jews was an act of love, just like a shepherd would recount his sheep after a plague befell his flock.
Additionally, the silver coins from this collection were used for the creation of the Adanim and Vavim in the Mishkan and served as a remembrance of the Jews before Hashem and as a partial rectification for the 'sin of the golden calf'.
Prevention of Plague
When things are counted it gives Ayin Hara a grasp over it and can lead to a plague when Jews are counted. This happened when King Dovid had the nation counted directly and a plague broke out, killing thousands.
Half a Shekel
Each shekel equaled 20 Gerahs or 4 Zuz, making each half shekel coin equal ten Gerah or 2 Zuz. Each Gerah was equivalent to one silver 'Manah' coin. This Shekel value was used throughout the Torah, specifically for the redemption of 'Arichin evaluations' and 'donated inherited properties'. Half shekel coins were minted from pure silver without any contaminations or mixed alloys. Hashem showed Moshe a coin made from fire whose dimensions would define the weight of the silver 'half shekel' coin.
The Collection
Only males over the age of twenty, were subject to the Machatzit HaShekel collection. This was the age of eligibility to enter the Jewish army, and at that age a male would enter the category of being a 'man'. Each individual had to submit precisely a half a shekel, not more, not less, regardless if the individual was wealthy or poor. As part of the process, everyone lined up then passed through the registration one by one, submitting their half shekel coin.
20 Years Old
The twenty year old age bracket for entering the Machzit Hashekel count was not dependent on the exact date of birth but rather if the individual had reached the age of twenty by Rosh Chodesh Teshri. Therefore anyone that was born between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kipor, although they were technically 20 years old, were not eligible for this count.
Total Count
The total count of the Jews was 603,550 adult males. This was the same exact total achieved for the Second Machtzit Hashekel count that place around six months later. Although the 'initial count' took place on the first year following the Egyptian exodus and the 'second count' took place during second year, there was no population increase, although more males had turned twenty. This was because the 'years in the desert' were calculated starting from Rosh Chodesh Nisson, while the eligibility bracket for being counted, was set by individuals that had already been 20 years old on Rosh Chodesh Tishri. Therefore, any individual that had not been eligible during the 'first count' was not eligible during the 'second count' and the same exact people were recounted. At the same time, no one had died during this six month period, since as long as the Jews did not commit any sins in the desert they were protected by the clouds from all natural death and illnesses.
Date
This was one of three collections and took place right at the start of the Mishkan collection right after Yom Kipor following Moshe's second descent upon attaining forgiveness for the sin of the golden calf. This independent collection yielded 100 kikraim and 1775 shekels of silver, the 100 kikrim were used for the Adanim - sockets and the remaining shikalim for the Vavim - hooks. The two other collections included the actual Mishkan collection and the second Machatzit HaShekel collection that took place immediately after the building of the Mishkan around six months following the first collection, during the month of Iyyar on the 2nd year following the Egyptian exodus and is mentioned in Parshas Bamidbar, whose proceeds were used to buy public sacrifices.
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 one's hands and feet was punishable by death. The washstand was placed between the 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
When 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 sons 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 Kohen 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. All spices had to be pure (Tahor) from any spiritual impurities (Tumah), they had to be purchased using sacred money (Hekdesh) and had to be ground up very finely.
- Nataf - Balsam sap equaling 70 Mana. Nataf is also called 'Tzari' since it is sap that comes from a 'Tzari' tree.
- Shichelet - Onycha equaling 70 Mana. Shichelet is also called 'Tziporen'.
- Chelbona - Galbanum equaling 70 Mana. This spice had a horrid smell and its inclusion comes to symbolize how the wicked should be included in gatherings of repentance.
- Levona - Pure frankincense equaling 70 Mana. This frankincense first had to undergo a purification process.
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.
Construction of Mishkan
Appointment of Betzalel
Hashem tell Moshe to appoint Betzalel ben Uri ben Chur from the tribe of Yehudah in charge of the Mishkan's construction. Hashem imbued Betzalel with divine spirit, wisdom, insight, knowledge and talent for all sorts of craftsmanship. He used his abilities to manage the master weaving, goldsmithing, silversmithing, copper work, gemstone setting and wood crafting.
Assistants
Betzalel was assisted in his job by a group of wise hearted men. Oholiav ben Achisamach, of the tribe of Dan served as his main assistant.
Tasks
Betzalel and his helpers created the main structure of the Mishkan as well as its vessels and associated items. These included;
- Tent of Meeting, its covers and all elements of the Tent
- Ark of testimony
- Table and all its accessories.
- Menorah and all its accessories.
- Altar of incense
- Altar for the burnt offering and all its accessories.
- Washstand and its base
- Meshwork garments
- Garments of Aharon and his sons
- Anointing oil
- Incense
Shabbat Warning
Despite the construction of the Mishkan, the Jews are warned to guard the laws of Shabbat. Those who desecrate it will be put to death. Whoever performs work on Shabbot, his soul will be cut off from the midst of its people. Shabbat serves as an eternal sign between Hashem and the Jews, that He created the heaven and earth in six days, resting on the seventh day.
Chet Haegel
The Luchos
After Hashem finished speaking with Moshe on Mount Sinai, He gave him the two stone tablets of the testimony, written with the finger of Hashem in His own inscription. Letters on the tablets were engraved and channels completely through. Yet despite this, regardless of which direction the tablets were looked at, miraculously they would be written in the correct direction.
Creation of Golden Calf
When the people saw that Moses was late in coming down from the mountain, they gathered against Aharon, and requested that he create for them a god to replace Moshe, as they do not know what happened to him. Aharon asked them to gather the golden earrings from the ears of their wives, sons and daughters and bring them to him. Instead of gathering them from their family members, the people stripped off their own gold earrings and brought them to Aharon.
Aharon took these from their hands, fashioned it with an engraving tool and made it into a molten calf. The people then exclaimed "These are your gods, Nation of Yisroel, who have brought you up from the land of Egypt!"
When Aharon saw this , he built an altar in front of the calf and proclaimed that tomorrow they will make a celebration. On the next day the people arose early, offered up burnt offerings, peace offerings and then sat down to eat, drink, and make merry.
Briefing of Moshe
Hashem told Moshe to go descend, for the people that he had brought up from Egypt had acted corruptly. They had quickly turned away from the path that Hashem commanded them, creating for themselves a molten calf, prostrating themselves before it, slaughtered sacrifices to it, and referring to it as the gods that redeemed them from Egypt.
Annihilation Plan
Hashem tells Moshe that he has seen the Jews and they are a stiff necked people. He requests that Moshe leave him alone so His anger will be kindled and He can annihilate them. He then promises to replace them with Moshe and his descendants, making him into a great nation.
Pleading of Moshe
Moshe began pleading in front of Hashem to calm His anger. Moshe then points out that the Egyptians will then claim that Hashem just brought them out with evil intent of killing them in the mountains and to annihilate them from upon the face of the earth. Moshe then tried invoking the merit of the Avos; Avraham, Yitzchok and Yackov and the oath He swore them by His very Self made that that He would multiply their descendants like the stars of the heavens and that they would inherit Eretz Yisroel. Upon hearing this, Hashem reconsidered the evil He had said He would do to His people.
Descent of Moshe
Moshe turned and went down from the mountain, holding the two Luchos in his hand. On the way he met Yehoshua, who had been waiting for his master for the past 40 days, halfway up Mount Sinai. Yehoshua had heard sounds and commotion coming from the camp and assumed there was a battle taking place and these were cries of war. Moshe corrected him, informing him that they were neither sounds of victory nor sounds of defeat but rather sounds of blasphemy.
Breaking of the Luchos
As Moshe drew close to the camp, he saw the calf and the dancing before it. Moshe became enraged, he flung the tablets from his hands, shattering them at the foot of the mountain.
Eradication of the Golden Calf
Moshe took the golden calf, burned it in fire, ground it to a fine powder, then scattered it upon the surface of the water. He then gave the Jews to drink that water.
Accusation of Aharon
Moshe turned to Ahraon and demanded to know what the nation had done to him causing him to bring such a grave sin upon them. Aharon responded, telling Moshe not to be angry as he himself knew that the people are disposed towards evil. He then related how the people had approached him to create gods as replacement of Moshe and to lead them following his disappearance. After which he had requested gold, which they brought and he then threw into a fire which produced the emergence of the golden calf.
Mass Execution
Moshe saw that the people were exposed for Aharon had exposed them to be disgraced before their adversaries. He stood at the gate of the camp and requested all those that had not sinned to gather by him, calling out "Whoever is for Hashem, come to me". The entire tribe of Levi had not sinned and gathered by Moshe. He commanded them in the name of Hashem to girdle their swords and pass from one end of the camp to the other, killing all those that had sinned, including their friends, relatives and even half brother from the same mother. This was carried out by the Tribe of Levi and they executed 3,000 men that day. Through this the Levim became appointed as sub-priests giving them the ability to serve as assistants in the Mishkan and Beis Hamikdash.
Killing Brothers
Since the entire Tribe of Levi had not sinned, the command to kill their convicted brothers only applied to half brothers born from their mother who had remarried into a different tribe. Although this was a rare occurrence, since there was a period during that generation where each woman gave birth to six kids at a time, even a few occurrences of such a situation produced many cases.
Moshe Requests Forgiveness
On the morning following the 'sin of the calf', Moshe told the Jews that they had committed a grave sin and he will now go up to Hashem to see if he could obtain an atonement for this.
Moshe returned to Hashem and acknowledged that the Jews had committed a grave sin by creating a god of gold. He proceeded to request that Hashem forgive their sin and if He refused then, he Moshe should be erased from the Torah. Hashem responded that He would erase from the Torah only those that had sinned against Him. For now Hashem will postpone the punishment of their sin but on the day He makes an accounting, He will bring their sin to account against them. Moshe could continue to lead the Jews to Eretz Yisroel, however they will no longer be lead directly by Hashem, instead an angel will go before them.
Erased From Torah
Moshe told Hashem that if he does not forgive the Jews his name should be erased from the Torah. Although this self inflicted curse was conditioned on the materialization of the destruction which did not come to pass, a curse of a Tzadik must happen to some degree once uttered, even if it was dependent on a condition that was never fulfilled. Therefore Moshe's name is completely omitted from the Parsha of Tetzaveh, which is the only Parsha since his birth not to mention him by name and all references to Moshe are done in first person.
The Plague
Hashem then hits the nation with a plague.
Aftermath
Hashem tells Moshe to continue traveling with the Nation towards Eretz Yisroel which he swore to Avraham, Yitzchak and Yackov that He will give to their descendants. Hashem will drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Chittites, Perizzites, Chivvites, and the Yevusites. No longer the Jews to be led directly by Hashem. Instead he will send an angel before them. When the Jews heard this bad news, they mourned. Hashem tells Moshe to explain to them that it is better this way for they are likely to do something wrong since they are a stiff necked nation and if Hashem goes in their midst, He will destroy them.
The Jews then lost their finery and crowns that they had attained during the giving of the Torah.