Exodus-Chapter-25

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Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.

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Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!

Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

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Exodus Chapter 25

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Introduction:
In this portion, the focus shifts from the sweeping narrative of the Exodus and the revelation at Sinai to the meticulous details of craftsmanship. The Mishkan serves as a physical focal point for the Divine Presence within the camp of Israel. The materials requested, gold, silver, copper, and vibrant textiles, representing the best of what the people possessed, offered willingly from the heart. This transition marks a new stage in the relationship between the Creator and the nation: the move from a transient experience at a mountain to a dwelling place that travels with the people through the wilderness. 

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Let us read Exodus Chapter 25, verses 1-40: Below the verses are the Explanation’s.  (The Chapter is from JPS-1917 version of the Torah).

Verses 1-9: “And יְהוָה - the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: ‘Speak unto the children of Israel, that they take for Me an offering; of every man whose heart maketh him willing ye shall take My offering. And this is the offering which ye shall take of them: gold, and silver, and brass; and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair; and rams’ skins dyed red, and sealskins, and acacia-wood; oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense; onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate. And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show thee, the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the furniture thereof, even so shall ye make it.

Explanation Verses 1-9, The call for a “contribution” (Terumah) emphasizes that the sanctuary is built on the foundation of the people’s free will. The list of materials, ‘metals’, ‘dyed wools’, ‘fine linen’, ‘skins’, ‘wood’, ‘oil’, and ‘precious stones’, covers the full spectrum of the natural world. The central purpose is stated clearly: “And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them”. The dwelling is not for the sake of the physical building, but for the sake of the communal relationship.

Verses 10-16: And they shall make an ark of acacia-wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof. And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about. And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in the four feet thereof; and two rings shall be on the one side of it, and two rings on the other side of it. And thou shalt make staves of acacia-wood, and overlay them with gold. And thou shalt put the staves into the rings on the sides of the ark, wherewith to bear the ark. The staves shall be in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it. And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.

Explanation Verses 10-16, The Ark (Aron) is the first vessel described because it holds the Testimony (the Tablets). Its construction of acacia wood overlaid with pure gold inside and out symbolizes an integrity where one’s inner character matches their outward appearance. The rings and staves ensure that the Ark is always ready to move, signifying that the word of the Law is never static or bound to a single location.

Verses 17-22: And thou shalt make an ark-cover of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof. And thou shalt make two cherubim of gold; of beaten work shalt thou make them, at the two ends of the ark-cover. And make one cherub at the one end, and one cherub at the other end; of one piece with the ark-cover shall ye make the cherubim of the two ends thereof. And the cherubim shall spread out their wings on high, screening the ark-cover with their wings, with their faces one to another; toward the ark-cover shall the faces of the cherubim be. And thou shalt put the ark-cover above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. And there I will meet with thee, and I will speak with thee from above the ark-cover, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

Explanation Verses 17-22, The Ark-cover (Kapporet) and the Cherubim are hammered from a single piece of pure gold. The wings of the Cherubim spread upward, shielding the Ark, while their faces turn toward one another. This positioning represents a state of harmony and protection. It is from this space, above the cover and between the Cherubim, that the Divine voice communicates, teaching us that clarity and revelation often emerge from a place of balanced connection.

Verses 23-30: And thou shalt make a table of acacia-wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof. And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and make thereto a crown of gold round about. And thou shalt make unto it a border of a handbreadth round about, and thou shalt make a golden crown to the border thereof round about. And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that are on the four feet thereof. Close by the border shall the rings be, for places for the staves to bear the table. And thou shalt make the staves of acacia-wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be borne with them. And thou shalt make the dishes thereof, and the pans thereof, and the jars thereof, and the bowls thereof, wherewith to pour out; of pure gold shalt thou make them. And thou shalt set upon the table showbread before Me always.

Explanation Verses 23-30, The Table (Shulchan) for the “showbread” represents the physical sustenance and economic life of the nation. Like the Ark, it is made of wood and gold, but it is characterized by its “border” and “crown”, suggesting that even the act of eating and providing can be elevated to a crown of holiness. The constant presence of the bread on the table signifies that our physical needs are always under the watchful eye of  אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם - Buruch Shem - “Blessed be His Name”.

Verses 31-39: And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made, even its base, and its shaft; its cups, its knops, and its flowers, shall be of one piece with it. And there shall be six branches going out of the sides thereof: three branches of the candlestick out of the one side thereof, and three branches of the candle-stick out of the other side thereof; three cups made like almond-blossoms in one branch, a knop and a flower; and three cups made like almond-blossoms in the other branch, a knop and a flower; so for the six branches going out of the candlestick. And in the candlestick four cups made like almond-blossoms, the knops thereof, and the flowers thereof. And a knop under two branches of one piece with it’ and a knop under two branches of one piece with it, and a knop under two branches of one piece with it, for the six branches going out of the candlestick. Their knops and their branches shall be of one piece with it; the whole of it one beaten work of pure gold. And thou shalt make the lamps thereof, seven; and they shall light the lamps thereof, to give light over against it. And the tongs thereof, and the snuff dishes thereof, shall be of pure gold. Of a talent of pure gold shall it be made, with all these vessels?

Explanation Verses 31-39, The Menorah is perhaps the most complex piece of craftsmanship, beaten out of a single talent of pure gold. Its design mimics a tree with branches, cups, knops, and flowers, symbolizing life and growth. The seven lamps are directed to shed light toward the centre, representing the unity of various branches of wisdom and the light of truth that must constantly burn within the sanctuary.

Verse 40: And see that thou make them after their pattern, which is being shown thee on the mount’”.

Explanation Verse 40, This final instruction serves as a solemn charge to ensure that the physical execution of the Sanctuary matches the spiritual vision. The “pattern” shown on the mount suggests that before the first piece of gold was hammered, a perfect, conceptual model was established. This verse emphasizes that the human craftsman is a partner in a Divine design; the beauty of the Mishkan lies not in human innovation, but in the faithful translation of a heavenly ideal into a reality that exists within time and space.

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My Closing Message:
The details of Exodus 25 remind us that holiness is found in the precision of our actions and the quality of our offerings. By bringing together the raw materials of the earth and refining them through skilled labour and a willing heart, the people of Israel created a space where the mundane became sacred. May we all find ways to bring that same intentionality and “willingness of heart” into our own lives today. 

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“The More Torah, the More Life”,

For Elohim is the One who gave us our ... Life!”

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָהthe LORD of hosts, be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s - Prayers and regular בְּרָכָה Be’ra’chah’s - blessings before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

 

 

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