Tonight we had the first of our two dual portion weeks; fortunately the second portion is pretty short and the first portion is a relatively straightforward read! Less fortunately, this is because Moses is repeating the instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and associated ritual implements again, because this is the part where they're actually making the things. Lotta discussion about some of the particulars of how things were made and the craftspeople who were inspired by G-d to make them, as well as some of the rules of the Sabbath that are discussed here, and the descent of G-d's Presence into the Tabernacle.
This also closed out the book of Exodus! It really runs the gamut between foundational narratives to ethics to technical descriptions of how to make candelabra.
Anyways, now to talk about some commentaries
Ibn Ezra has some interesting things to say on metals and how women be doing magic
hmmmm
Two people are called out in particular as leading the crafting of the Tabernacle, having been bestowed/inspired by G-d in all manner of art and craft- Bezalel of Judah, the noblest of the tribes, and Oholiab of Dan, one of the lowest. Ibn Ezra also calls out how they're given talent for instructing others, as he notes that many learned men are kinda shit at it. Regardless, we are curious to know if there's BezalelxOholiab yaoi.
We also learn that the wash basin (laver) for the Tabernacle was made specifically from the burnished brass mirrors of the women, and in the commentaries we find a discussion by Rashi about how G-d finds them dearer than all the other materials contributed because of their resonance with how women make themselves beautiful and the joy and strength they represent between themselves and their partners. There's something really sweet about the idea of it! These discussions of beauty and joy and pleasure in both the Torah and the commentaries always kinda show up unexpectedly, and it's always a pleasure to run across them. G-d likes mirrors and how we can use them to please each other!
Now. I'm sure the question on all your minds, now that the Torah has explained to how build the Tabernacle at least two of the promised five times it does so:
How did they put it all together?
Easy! Moses did it.
By himself.
How? Well,
We have also determined the XP emotions of our lads in the Pentateuch:
- Rashi: gratitude hands
- Ibn Ezra: [speechlessness]
- Ramban: thumbs up
