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Daily Chumash By Rabbi Mendel Yusewitz · Rabbi Mendel Yusewitz

Vayakhel Pekudei, Wednesday

March 11, 2026·22 min·2 clips
The copper washing basin was made directly from women's mirrors, which were used to arouse their husbands in Egypt.
The episode begins with Parashit Yisrael Yaakov B'kodeh, describing the construction of the Mizbecha Oidla (altar) by Betzalel and Aholiav. The altar is detailed as five amas square, made of shittim wood, coated in copper, with horns from the same wood and copper utensils. Rabbi Yusewitz then moves to the washing basin (kior), made of copper from the mirrors donated by Jewish women in Egypt. He explains that these mirrors were used by women to arouse their husbands during slavery, leading to childbirth and the establishment of legions. The episode covers the courtyard curtains, with southern and northern sides having 100 amas curtains, 20 pillars each, and hooks of silver, while the western side has 50 amas and 10 pillars. The eastern side includes an entrance with 20 amas and four pillars. Parashas P'kodeh discusses the counting of materials: gold donations totaled 29 kikar and 730 shekel, with Rashi explaining the holy shekel measurement. Silver donations were 100 kikar and 1,775 shekel, calculated from half-shekel contributions per person among Bnei Yisrael's 603,550 people. Copper donations were 70 kikar and 2,400 shekel, used for sockets, the altar netting, and courtyard pegs. The episode notes that Betzalel understood God's commands intuitively, even beyond what Moshe conveyed. It concludes with mentions of coverings made from blue, purple, and red wool for traveling, distinct from priestly garments. Throughout, Rabbi Yusewitz integrates Rashi's commentary to clarify dimensions, materials, and spiritual insights, such as the Mishkan as testimony of God's forgiveness after the golden calf.

As heard by us

A brisk source reading class that turns the Mishkan's measures into meaning.

This Torah class stays close to the building work and the counting: the outside altar, the basin, the courtyard curtains, the coverings for the kelim on the road, and the exact silver, gold, and copper brought for the Mishkan.

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Why you'd press play

You want the Mishkan measured, counted, and built straight from the text.

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