Parashat Pekudei

'''Parashas Pekudei''' is the eleventh and final parsha in the Book of Shemos. Most years is read along with Parshas Vayakhel. It contains 92 pesukim. For the Haftora, the inauguration of the First Beis Hamikdosh by King Shlomo is read.

==Accounting of Mishkan Collection==
Creation of the Mishkan was supervised by Bezalel the son of Uri from the tribe of Yehudah and Oholiab the son of Achisamach from the tribe of Dan.

# '''Gold''' - 29 Kikar  and 730 Shekels
# '''Silver''' - 100 Kikar and 1,775 Shekel. This silver was collected in a separate Machatzit Hashekel collection where each one of the 603,550 adult males donated a half a shekel. Since each Kikar was equivalent to 3,000 shekel, 600,000 half shekels produced 300,000 full shikalim which equaled 100 Kikarim. An additional 3,550 half shekel equaled 1,175 full shikalim.<ref>Rashi Shemos 38:26</ref>
## '''Adonim / Sockets''' - Used for both, Adonim of the Kirashim and the Adonim of the Parochet Amudim, created from the 100 Kikar. In total 100 sockets were created, 2 for each of the 48 Kirashim, totaling 96 and one for each one of the Amudim. Each  one of the Adonim was composed of a full kikar of silver.<ref>Rashi</ref>
## '''Vavim / Hooks''' - created from remaining 1,775 Shekalim
## '''Chashukim / Top Coating''' - tops of the courtyard pillars were coated with silver, also created from the remaining 1,775 Shekalim.
# '''Copper''' - 70 Kikar and 2,400 Shekel
## '''Adonim''' - used for the Adonim of the Ohel Moed entrance, Adonim of the Chatzer and the Adonim Chatzer entrance.
## '''Mezbeach Hanichoshes''' - used to coat external alter and for the creation of its copper grating and all its vessels.
## '''Yisedos / Pegs ''' - used to create pegs of the Mishkan and the pegs that held up courtyard.
# '''Dyed Wool & Linen''' - Wool was dyed blue, purple, and crimson, while the linen was  white.
##'''Begdi Hasrad / Meshwork Garments''' - created for covering the vessels  during their transportation. No linen was used in these coverings.<ref>Rashi</ref>
##'''Bigdei Kehuna'''
### '''Efod / Apron''' and connected Sardonyx Shoam stones. Ephod was made of  blue, purple, and crimson wool, twisted fine linen, and gold threads. They would hammer the gold into thin sheets and then cut threads from the length of the sheet. Each of these golden threads was intertwined with six threads of each variety (blue, red, purple, linen), making each thread composed of seven strands, six of its variety and one of gold.<ref>Rashi</ref> Two shoulder straps were created, one on each end of the Efod, on which Shoham stones were enclosed in gold settings and had the names of the 12 Tribes engraved on them. The Ephod also contained a Cheshev belt.
### '''Choshen / Breastplate''' - created with the expertise of master weavers,  using the same type of threads created for the Ephod. Its final shape was square and it contained four rows set with gemstones. First row: odem, pitdah and bareketh. Second row: nofech, sappir and yahalom. Third row: leshem, shevo and achlamah. Fourth row: tarshish, shoham and yashpheh. Names of the Twelve Tribes were engraved on these stones as well. The Chosehn was held in place by two gold chains running between rings on each of its top corners and the shoulder straps of the Efod. Additional blue dyed wool straps connected rings on the bottom corners of the Choshen to rings on the lower part of the Ephod straps right before they connected to the Cheshev.
### '''Me’il / Robe''' - created from pure dyed wool using the craftsmanship of a weaver. On top was an opening for the head, which was turned inward like the opening of a coat of armor and had a border around it so that it should not tear. On its bottom hem were alternating pomegranates and bells. Pomegranates were created from twisted blue, purple, and crimson dyed wool. Bells were created from pure gold. 
### '''Katonet / Tunic''' - Was created from pure linen using the craftsmanship of a weaver.
### '''Mitznefet / Turban''' - for Kohen Gadoel, created from linen.
### '''Migbaot / Turban''' - glorious high hats for regular Kohanim, created from linen.
### '''Michnasaim / Pants''' -  created from linen.
### '''Avnet / Belt''' - sash was created from twisted fine linen, and blue, purple and crimson dyed wool, using embroidery craftsmanship.
### '''Tzitz / Headband''' - showplate was created from pure gold. Upon it was engraved "Holy to YKVK".  It was worn on the forehead of the Kohen Gdoel, spaced far enough from the edge of the Mitznefet to don his Tefilin in between the two. It was held in place on by 6 cords of blue wool, two tied to each of its two sides and two to its center which ran over the turban. All of 6 cords met opposite his nape and were tied together.

==Stockpiling==
When the work of the Mishkan was complete the Jews brought everything to Moshe and he blessed them.

#Ohel / Tent
##Kalim / Furnishings
##Kirasim / Clasps
##Kirashim / Planks
##Birichim / Bars
##Amudim / Pillars
##Adonim / Sockets
## Red dyed ram skin covering
## Tachash skin covering
## Parochet / Curtain
## Masach / Entrance screen for tent
## Kalim / Accessories for services of Ohel Moed
#Kalim / Vessels
##Aron HaEdut / Ark of Testimony - including its poles and cover.
##Shulchan / Table  - including its accessories and the Lechem Hapanim showbread.
## Menorah - including its lamps, accessories and lighting oil.
## Mezbeach HaZahav / Golden altar
## Mezbeach HaNechoshet / Copper altar - including its copper grating, poles and accessories.
##Kiyor / Washstand - including its base.
## Shemen Hamishcha / Anointing oil
##Ketoret / Incense
#Chatzer / Courtyard
## Kilaim / Courtyard curtains
## Amudim / Pillars
## Adonim / Sockets
## Masach / Entrance screen for courtyard
## Masrim / Ropes
## Yesedos / Pegs
#Bigadim / Garments
##Begdi Hasrad / Meshwork Garments - to cover vessels during transit.
##Bigdei Kehuna / Priestly Garments

===Moshe's Blessing===
Moshe then blessed the Nation; “May it be His will that the Shechinah should rest in the work of your hands. And may the pleasantness of  Hashem Elokim be upon us…”. This blessing was later integrated into Tehilim chapter 90 which was structured based on the prayers of Moshe.

==Assembly of Mishkan==
===Order===
Hashem commanded that the Mishkan to be assembled in the following order.

# Ohel Moed structure is to be created.
# Aron is to be placed in Kodesh Kodashem which is then to be sealed with the Parochet curtain.
# Table, Menorah and Golden Altar are to be brought into Ohel Moed. Bringing of Table includes its full setup and bringing Menorah includes a kindling of its lamps. Ohel Moed is then to be closed with its Masach curtain.
# Copper Altar is to be placed parallel to Ohel Moed entrance. Kiyor is to be filled with water and placed between the two but protruding to the side. Courtyard is then to be erected and closed with its Masach curtain.
# Everything is then to be daub with the anointing oil, sanctifying them and making them holy. First the Ohel Moed and all its vessels are to be anointed, then the Copper Alter and the Kiyor.
# Aharon and his sons are to be brought near the entrance of Ohel Moed and bathed in water. Aharon is then to be dressed with the holy garments, after which he is to be anointed and sanctified as a kohen. His sons are then to be dressed in tunics and anointed like their father, establishing all their future offspring as kohanim.

===Assembly===
Moshe assembles the Mishkan on the first day of Nissan, almost a year after the exodus from Egypt. When the Jews did not succeed in erecting the Mishkan, since no human being was strong enough to put up the heavy Kirashim, they brought it to Moshe. He asked Hashem how it was possible for him to do so and Hashem replied that Moshe should just pretend as if he was doing the work and Mishkan would erect itself. Moshe was given the honor of erecting the Mishkan since he took no part in its actual creation.

Moshe then assembles the Mishkan in the following order...

# Placed its Adanim sockets
# Put up its Kirashim planks
# Put in its Brichim bars
# Set up its Amudim pillars
# Spread the Yirios Ezim - goat hair tent covering over the Mishkan
# Placed the other cover over it from above
# Placed the Luchot of testimony into the Aron ark
# Put the Badim poles upon the ark
# Placed the Kaporet ark cover on it from above
# Brought the ark into the Mishkan.
# Placed the Parochet dividing curtain, forming a protective covering before the Ark.
# Placed the Shulchan table on the northern half of the Ohel Moed's width, outside the dividing curtain.
# Set upon the table an arrangement of Lechem HaPanim bread.
# Placed the menorah on the southern side of Ohel Moed, opposite the table.
# Kindled the lamps of the Menorah.
# Placed the Mezbeach HaZahav - golden altar in the Ohel Moed, facing the Parochet dividing curtain.
# Burnt incense, producing a smoke upon it.
# Placed the Masach screen at the entrance of the Ohel Moed.
# Placed Mezbeach HaNichoshet - altar of the burnt offering in front of the entrance of the Ohel Moed.
# Offered upon alter the daily Tomid burnt offering along with its Mincha meal offering and its libations. These communal sacrifices were offered by Moshe during all the days of the inauguration, including the eighth day when Aaron began partaking in the services.
# Placed the Kiyor washstand between the Ohel Moed and Mezbeach HaNichoshet.
# Put water for washing in the Kiyor, this was used by Ahron and his sons when entering Ohel Moed or approaching the altar, as well as Moshe during the '8 days of inauguration'.
# Set up the courtyard all around the Ohel Moed and the altar.
# Put up the Masach screen at the entrance to the courtyard.

===Descent of Shichina===
Upon Moshe's completion of the Mishakan's assembly, the Shichina descended and dwelled upon it. A cloud covered the Ohel Moed, and the glory of Hashem filled the Mishkan. As long as the cloud covered the Ohel Moed, Moshe was unable to enter it. When it withdrew he would enter and Hashem would speak with him.

==Transit==
The Jews travel and encamped based on the instruction displayed by the Pillar of Cloud. When it moved, they would move and as long as it stood steady, they would remain encamped. At night the camp was illuminated by the Pillar of Fire.

===Transport of the Mishkan===
The Mishkan was transported by the Levim who were managed by Ithamar the son of Ahraon the Kohen. It was his job to assign  different tasks and responsibilities for each of the Levite families.<ref>Rashi</ref>

==References==
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{{Weekly Parsha}}

[[Category:Parsha]]