Torah Trivia for Parshah 23. Pekudei (Questions Only)
1.) Who takes a count of all the contributions that the Israelites provide?
2.) What are the respective amounts of weights for the gold, silver, and copper that are contributed for the construction of the Mishkan?
3.) Which of these processes is utilised to turn the gold into thread for making the ephod and the hashon (breastplate): a.) Rumpelstelskin is hired; b.) a special goose is provided with fibrous laxatives; c.) extensions are acquired from Rapunzel; and/or, d.) the lyrical refrain from a contemporary folk song, written by a hippie-like trio, are applied in a direct and industrial manner?
4.) What are the dimensions of the hashon after being folded?
5.) Is the hashon detachable from, or continually affixed to, the ephod?
6.) What colour is Aaron’s robe, that is worn over the hashon and the ephod; and what colour are the pomegranates that are attached along the bottom fringe of Aaron’s robe?
7.) After inspecting the aggregate work of the craftspeople, how does Moshe respond:
a.) “You complete the task, however, it is over-budget and past the completion date, so the contract is now null and void”;
b.) “It’s time for a ‘brewski’!”;c.) Moshe shatters every item upon the ground, and commands the Israelites to return to work and complete it all over again;
d.) Moshe approves the work, and blesses the craftspeople?8.) This Torah Trivia iteration is written on 5772 Adar 20; how many additional days are on the calendar until the “3104-Year” commemoration of the actual construction of the Mishkan?
9.) What is the sequence for assembling, and anointing, the Mishkan and all its utensils and Priests?
10.) Are there any discrepancies between the instructed sequence, provided by Adonai (previously listed), and the actual sequence, enacted by Moshe, Aaron, and Aaron’s sons, regarding the assembly and anointing of the Mishkan and all its utensils and Priests?
11.) What covers the Mishkan during the day and what covers the Mishkan during the evening?
12.) What does Moshe do when the Mishkan is covered: a.) he sits at a respectful distance and roast Kosher marshmellows; b.) he goes inside for a shfitz; c.) he surrounds the entire courtyard with “Caution” tape; d.) he sends smoke signals describing the mitzvot that are communicated to him; e.) he orchestrates a light and laser show, set to upbeat, modern contemporary instrumental music; f.) he projects hand silhouettes on the tents of other Israelites; and/or g.) he utilises the light to write in a secret, personal diary that has yet to be revealed?
Torah Trivia for Parshah 23. Pekudei (with Answers)
1.) Who takes a count of all the contributions that the Israelites provide?
Answer: Aaron’s son, Ithamar, accounts for the contributions:
“These are the records of the Tabernacle, the Tabernacle of the Pact, which were drawn up at (Moshe’s) bidding--the work of the Levites under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.” Shemot 38:21.
2.) What are the respective amounts of weights for the gold, silver, and copper that are contributed for the construction of the Mishkan?
Answer: The proceeding amounts of weights are contributed:
a.) Gold: 29 Talents and 730 Shekels ( ~1000kg; ~3000lbs); (Shemot 38:24);
b.) Silver: 100 Talents and 1,775 Shekels (~3000kg; ~10,000lbs); (Shemot 38:25);
c.) Copper: 70 Talents and 2,400 Shekels (~2500kg; ~7000lbs); (Shemot 38:29);
1 Shekel = ~10 grams; ½ Ounce;
1 Talent = 3000 Shekels = ~30kg; ~1500 ounces (~100lbs);
1SDR = .1£ = .12E = .15US = 10￥;
Gold = 2,000SDR/g;
Silver = 40SDR/g;
Copper = 6SDR/g;
Contemporary Valuation of All Offered Gold: 2 Trillion SDR; 200£ Billion; 250€ Billion; 300US Billion; 20￥ Trillion;
Contemporary Valuation of All Offered Silver: 120 Million SDR; 12£ Million; 15€ Million; 20US Million; 1.2￥ Billion;
Contemporary Valuation of All Offered Copper: 15 Million SDR; 1.5£ Million; 2€ Million; 2.5US Million; 150￥ Million.
3.) Which of these processes is utilised to turn the gold into thread for making the ephod and the hashon (breastplate): a.) Rumpelstelskin is hired; b.) a special goose is provided with fibrous laxatives; c.) extensions are acquired from Rapunzel; and/or, d.) the lyrical refrain from a contemporary folk song, written by a hippie-like trio, are applied in a direct and industrial manner?
Answer: The answer is actually: “d.),” connecting Moshe with the tune, “If I Had a Hammer”:
“The ephod was made of gold, blue, purple, and crimson yarns, and fine twisted linen. They hammered out sheets of gold and cut threads to be worked into designs among the blue, the purple, and the crimson yarns, and the fine linen.” (Shemot 39:2 - 3);
“The breastpiece was made in the style of the ephod: of gold, blue, purple, and crimson yarns, and fine twisted linen.” (Shemot 39:8).
4.) What are the dimensions of the hashon after being folded?
Answer: After being folded, the hashon is 1 cubit x 1 cubit (approximately 50cm²; 18”²):
“It was square; they made the breastpiece doubled--a span in length and a span in width, doubled.” (Shemot 39:9).
5.) Is the hashon detachable from, or continually affixed to, the ephod?
Answer: “The breastpiece was held in place by a cord of blue from its ring to the rings of the ephod, so that the breastpiece rested on the decorated band and did not come loose from the ephod--as the Lord had commanded (Moshe).” (Shemot 39:21).
6.) What colour is Aaron’s robe, that is worn over the hashon and the ephod; and what colour are the pomegranates that are attached along the bottom fringe of Aaron’s robe?
Answer: Aaron’s robe is blue, and the pomegranates are blue, purple, and crimson, interspersed with gold bells (Shemot 39:22 - 25).
7.) After inspecting the aggregate work of the craftspeople, how does Moshe respond:
a.) “You complete the task, however, it is over-budget and past the completion date, so the contract is now null and void”;
b.) “It’s time for a ‘brewski’!”;c.) Moshe shatters every item upon the ground, and commands the Israelites to return to work and complete it all over again;
d.) Moshe approves the work, and blesses the craftspeople?Answer: The answer is: “d.)”: Moshe approves the work and blesses the craftspeople:
“Just as the Lord had commanded (Moshe), so the Israelites had done all the work. And when (Moshe) saw that they had performed all the tasks--as the Lord had commanded, so they had done--(Moshe) blessed them.” (Shemot 39:42 - 43).
8.) This Torah Trivia iteration is written on 5772 Adar 20; how many additional days are on the calendar until the “3104-Year” commemoration of the actual construction of the Mishkan?
Answer: Presumably, there are 9 days until this commemoration (5772 Nisan 1), although the actual year being commemorated seems to be arguable: some calculations describe the Mishkan being constructed approximately 3300 years ago; and whilst its congruency has yet to be affirmed, the calculations that are communicated within this Torah Trivia are derived from the confluence of: 1.) the common understanding that this year is currently 5772, and 2.) the proceeding summation of years, suggesting that the Mishkan is actually constructed in year 2668, after the Creation of the Universe:
Adam is born Year 1 Day 6 (Beresheit 1:27 - 31);
Seth is born Year 131 (Beresheit 5:3);
Enosh is born Year 236 (Beresheit 5:6);
Kenan is born Year 326 (Beresheit 5:9);
Mahalel is born Year 396 (Beresheit 5:12);
Yered is born Year 461 (Beresheit 5:15);
Enoch is born Year 623 (Beresheit 5:18);
Methuselah is born Year 688 (Beresheit 5:21);
Lemech is born Year 875 (Beresheit 5:25);
Noach is born Year 1057 (Beresheit 5:28 - 29);
Shem is born Year 1557 (Beresheit 5:32);
Arpachshad is born Year 1657 (Beresheit 11:10);
Shelach is born Year 1692 (Beresheit 11:12);
Eber is born Year 1722 (Beresheit 11:14);
Peleg is born Year 1756 (Beresheit 11:16);
Reu is born Year 1786 (Beresheit 11:18);
Serug is born Year 1818 (Beresheit 11:20);
Nachor is born Year 1848 (Beresheit 11:22);
Terach is born Year 1877 (Beresheit 11:24);
Avram is born Year 1947 (Beresheit 11:26);
Yitzak is born Year 2047 (Beresheit 21:5);
Yaakov is born Year 2107 (Beresheit 25:26);
Yaakov moves to Egypt Year 2237 (Beresheit 47:28);
Israelites leave Egypt Year 2667 (Shemot 12:40 - 42);
Israelites construct Mishkan Year 2668 Nisan 1 (Shemot 40:1, 17).
9.) What is the sequence for assembling, and anointing, the Mishkan and all its utensils and Priests?
Answer: There are at least nearly 40 distinct actions that are described and/or commanded within this passage (Shemot 40:1 - 16):
1.) “And the Lord spoke to (Moshe), saying:” (Shemot 40:1);
2.) “On the first day of the first month you shall set up the Tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting.” (Shemot 40:2);
3.) “Place there the Ark of the Pact, and...” (Shemot 40:3);4.) “...screen off the ark with the curtain.” (Shemot 40:3);
5.) “Bring in the table and...” (Shemot 40:4);
6.) “...lay out its due setting;” (Shemot 40:4);
7.) “Bring in the lampstand and...” (Shemot 40:4);
8.) “...light its lamps; and...” (Shemot 40:4)
9.) “place the gold altar of incense before the Ark of the Pact.” (Shemot 40:5);
10.) “Then put up the screen for the entrance of the Tabernacle.” (Shemot 40:5);
11.) “You shall place the altar of burnt offering before the entrance of the Tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting.” (Shemot 40:6);
12.) “Place the laver between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and...” (Shemot 40:7);
13.) “...put water in it.” (Shemot 40:7)
14.) “Set up the enclosure round about, and...” (Shemot 40:8);
15.) “...put in place the screen for the gate of the enclosure.” (Shemot 40:8);
16.) “You shall take the anointing oil and...” (Shemot 40:9);
17.) “...anoint the Tabernacle and...” (Shemot 40:9);
18.) “...(anoint) all that is in it to consecrate it and all its furnishings,” (Shemot 40:9);
19.) “so that it shall be holy.” (Shemot 40:9);
20.) “Then anoint the altar of burnt offering and...” (Shemot 40:10);
21.) “...(anoint) all its utensils to consecrate the altar, so that the altar shall be most holy.” (Shemot 40:10);
22.) “And anoint the laver and...” (Shemot 40:11);
23.) “...(anoint) its stand to consecrate it.” (Shemot 40:11);
24.) “You shall bring Aaron and his sons forward to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting and...” (Shemot 40:12);
25.) “...wash them with the water.” (Shemot 40:12);
26.) “Put the sacral vestments on Aaron, and...” (Shemot 40:13);
27.) “...anoint him and...” (Shemot 40:13);
28.) “consecrate him,” (Shemot 40:13);
29.) “that he may serve Me as priest.” (Shemot 40:13);
30.) “Then bring his sons forward,” (Shemot 40:14);
31.) “put tunics on them,” (Shemot 40:14);
32.) “and anoint them...” (Shemot 40:15);
33.) “...as you have anointed their father,” (Shemot 40:15);
34.) “that they may serve Me as priests.” (Shemot 40:15);
35.) “Thus their anointing shall serve them for everlasting priesthood throughout the ages.” (Shemot 40:15)
36.) “This (Moshe) did;” (Shemot 40:16);
37.) “just as the Lord had commanded him,” (Shemot 40:16);
38.) “so he did.” (Shemot 40:16).
10.) Are there any discrepancies between the instructed sequence, provided by Adonai (previously listed), and the actual sequence, enacted by Moshe, Aaron, and Aaron’s sons, regarding the assembly and anointing of the Mishkan and all its utensils and Priests?
Answer: Within this passage, (Shemot 40:17 - 33), there are over 40 described/commanded actions, many of which go into further detail, and many of which exactly coincide or complement the previously described instructions; it is also appropriate to note that there are 7 explicit descriptions of Moshe’s actions complying with Adonai’s instructions (compared to basically 1 such description within the previous passage); the numbers (from the previous passage) are juxtaposed with the lettered sequence of this passage:
(#1 - #2); (#16 - #19)
a.) “In the first month of the second year, on the first day of the month, the Tabernacle was set up.” (Shemot 40:17);
b.) “(Moshe) set up the Tabernacle,” (Shemot 40:18);
c.) “placing its sockets,” (Shemot 40:18);
d.) “setting up its planks,” (Shemot 40:18);
e.) “inserting its bars, and...” (Shemot 40:18);
f.) “...erecting its posts.” (Shemot 40:18);
g.) “He spread the tent over the Tabernacle,” (Shemot 40:19);
h.) “placing the covering of the tent on top of it--” (Shemot 40:19);
i.) “just as the Lord had commanded (Moshe).” (Shemot 40:19);
(#3)
j.) “He took the Pact and...” (Shemot 40:20);
k.) “...placed it in the ark;” (Shemot 40:20);
l.) “he fixed the poles to the ark,” (Shemot 40:20);
m.) “placed the cover on top of the ark, and...” (Shemot 40:20);
n.) “...brought the ark inside the Tabernacle.” (Shemot 40:21);
(#4)
o.) “Then he put up the curtain for screening, and...” (Shemot 40:21);
p.) “...screened off the Ark of the Pact--” (Shemot 40:21);
q.) “just as the Lord had commanded (Moshe).” (Shemot 40:21)
(#5)
r.) “He placed the table in the Tent of Meeting, outside the curtain, on the north side of the Tabernacle.” (Shemot 40:22);
(#6)
s.) “Upon it he laid out the setting of bread before the Lord--” (Shemot 40:23);
t.) “as the Lord had commanded (Moshe).” (Shemot 40:23);
(#7)
u.) “He placed the lampstand in the Tent of Meeting opposite the table, on the south side of the Tabernacle.” (Shemot 40:24);
(#8)
v.) “And he lit the lamps before the Lord--” (Shemot 40:25);
w.) “as the Lord had commanded (Moshe).” (Shemot 40:25);
(#9)
x.) “He placed the altar of gold in the Tent of Meeting, before the curtain.” (Shemot 40:26);
y.) “On it he burned aromatic incense--” (Shemot 40:27);
z.) “as the Lord had commanded (Moshe).” (Shemot 40:27);
(#10)
aa.) “Then he put up the screen for the entrance of the Tabernacle.” (Shemot 40:28);
(#11); (#20 - #21)
ab.) “At the entrance of the Tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting he placed the altar of burnt offering.” (Shemot 40:29);
ac.) “On it he offered up the burnt offering and...” (Shemot 40:29);
ad.) “...(offered up) the grain offering--” (Shemot 40:29);
ae.) “as the Lord had commanded (Moshe).” (Shemot 40:29);
(#12); (#22 - #23)
af.) “He placed the laver between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and...” (Shemot 40:30);
(#13); (#24 - #25)
ag.) “...put water in it...” (Shemot 40:30);
ah.) “...for washing.” (Shemot 40:30);
ai.) “From it (Moshe) and Aaron and his sons would wash their hands and feet;” (Shemot 40:31);
aj.) “they washed when...” (Shemot 40:32)
ak.) “...they entered the Tent of Meeting and...” (Shemot 40:32);
al.) “...they approached the altar--” (Shemot 40:32);
am.) “as the Lord had commanded (Moshe).” (Shemot 40:32);
(#14)
an.) “And he set up the enclosure around the Tabernacle and the altar, and...” (Shemot 40:33)
(#15)
ap.) “...put up the screen for the gate of the enclosure.” (Shemot 40:33).
(#26 - #38)
Within the 1st passage, the sequence basically involves: assembling, anointing, washing, clothing, and anointing; within the 2nd passage the sequence basically involves: assembling, offering, assembling, offering, washing, assembling.
11.) What covers the Mishkan during the day and what covers the Mishkan during the evening?
Answer: “For over the Tabernacle a cloud of the Lord rested by day. and fire would appear in it by night, in the view of all the house of Israel throughout their journeys.” (Shemot 40:38).
12.) What does Moshe do when the Mishkan is covered: a.) he sits at a respectful distance and roast Kosher marshmellows; b.) he goes inside for a shfitz; c.) he surrounds the entire courtyard with “Caution” tape; d.) he sends smoke signals describing the mitzvot that are communicated to him; e.) he orchestrates a light and laser show, set to upbeat, modern contemporary instrumental music; f.) he projects hand silhouettes on the tents of other Israelites; and/or g.) he utilises the light to write in a secret, personal diary that has yet to be revealed?
Answer: The answer is: “h.)”: an absence of all of the above, although it may be considered that “c.)” is slightly applicable:
“When (Moshe) had finished the work, the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the Presence of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. (Moshe) could not enter the Tent of Meeting, because the cloud had settled upon it and the Presence of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. When the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the Israelites would set out, on their various journeys; but if the cloud did not lift, they would not set out until such time as it did lift.” (Shemot 40:33 - 37).
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Discussion Questions:
What is the significance within the direct connexion between the hashon and the ephod?
There is the description that the construction of the Mishkan is the final recorded event within the Torah; what is relevance of the concept of linear time; and what is the relevance of “timelessness,” and the nature of existence therein; what irony and significance exist within the notion of the counting of time (linearality) concluding amidst the tangibility of the construction of the Mishkan?
How does the construction of the Mishkan compare with the construction of the 1st Temple, and what insight can this provide regarding the rebuilding of the Temple?
Within this Parshah, there is description of Moshe and Israelites doing exactly as Adonai commands; however, how plausible is it to perfectly abide by the Will of Adonai? What is the nature of dissonance that exists between the nature of this “Absolute Will,” the perception of this “Absolute Will,” and the adherence/manifestation of this “Absolute Will”? Can there actually be a distinction between adherence (or lack thereof) to this “Absolute Will” and the manifestation of this “Absolute Will”? Amidst the experience of such dissonance between the perception/understanding of this “Absolute Will” and the manifestation of this “Absolute Will,” is it the “Absolute Will” that is adjusted, or is it the perception/understanding of this “Absolute Will” that is adjusted? And what is the nature of the dissonance between the perception/understanding of this “Absolute Will” and the intent of an individual to adhere/manifest this “Absolute Will”? Amidst the tangible instructions described within this Parshah, and the presumed synonymity of “Absolute Will” with “perfection,” is it implausible to perceive that an imperfection individual is able to adhere to (and manifest) the perfection of “Absolute Will,” or is it that, amidst a perceived imperfection, each individual necessarily and perfectly adheres to (and manifests) the inevitable perfection of “Absolute Will”?
Amidst the distinction between animate and inanimate phenomena (and the coinciding beliefs regarding such phenomena respectively maintaining, or being absent of, a soul/spirit), what are the synonymous and distinctive natures between the “Holiness” that is ascribed to inanimate phenomena (and particularly matter, such as the Altar, and the anointing oil), and the “Holiness” that is ascribed to animate phenomena (and individuals such as Aaron, Aaron’s sons, and Moshe)?
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