Half-Shekel Equality- Before Purim, the rabbi put out a plate and told everyone to give a half-shekel (or its local equivalent). I understand this was done in the times of the Tempe to purchase public offerings. But what is its relevance today? More »
Number of Branches on Menorah- I'm confused. My Chanukah menorah has 9 branches, but the Menorah in our synagogue has 7. Why the difference? More »
The Cherubim Versus Idols- What exactly were the Cherubim on the Ark of the Covenant? It seems strange to me that they were part of the Tabernacle and Temple. Aren’t they basically a form of idol? More »
The Purpose of the Mishkan (Tabernacle)- I’ve heard that the Mishkan (Tabernacle) served as an atonement for the Sin of the Golden Calf. But if so, why is it commanded in Exodus before the story of the Golden Calf? It seems like they were going to… More »
The Tabernacle’s Construction and the Shamir- When the Children of Israel constructed the Tabernacle, some of the tasks required doing very fine, delicate work – which seems to be beyond the technology that existed in those days. How for example were they able to carve out… More »
Urim and Thummim- What exactly are the “Urim and Thummim” of Aaron’s breastplate? The Torah mentions it without any further explanation. More »
You Know More Hebrew Words Than You Think
