In this portion, Moses addresses the entire nation and charges them with the privilege of building the Tabernacle. Much of the text is a repetition of the directions given in the previous chapters. Israel’s ability to create a setting for יהוה’s Presence is a measure of its greatness and, indeed, a primary reason for its very existence. Its future history …
VA’EIRA I appeared (to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob)
Exodus 6:2 And Elohim spoke to Moses and said to him, I am יהוה: 3 And I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob, by the name of El Shaddai, but by My name יהוה I was not known to them. C-MATS Question: What was יהוה saying to Moses? יהוה rebuked Moses harshly: Many times I revealed Myself to …
VAYETZE (and he went out)
Genesis 28:10 Jacob went out from Beer-sheba and went toward Haran (burning anger). C-MATS Question: Where did Jacob go before he went to Haran? Aware of the challenges awaiting him in Haran, Jacob realized that he needed to prepare himself spiritually before going there. He therefore returned to the academy of Ever in Salem (Shem had already died by then), …
VAYELECH (and he went)
Deuteronomy 31:1 And Moses went and spoke אֶת־ these words to all Israel. 2 And he said to them, I am 120 years old this day; I cannot go out and come in anymore: and ויהוה said to me, You will not cross over אֶת־ the Jordan this day. C-MATS Question: Why did Moses say “I am 120 years old …