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The rest of the parashah is sometimes called tzuvui haMishkan, the commandment to build the Mishkan according to the pattern that Moses was given upon Mount Sinai (it proceeds from the inner to the outer - from the Holy of Holies to the Outer Court). Each component of the Mishkan, down to the smallest detail, is filled with symbolic significance about how to approach the LORD under the terms of brit yashanah (the Older Covenant of Moses with the Levitical priesthood as its ritualistic expression).
Where did the Israelites get the materials required to build the mishkan? After all, the following materials were required: gold, silver, copper, wool dyed purple and wool dyed blue, linen, goats' hair, “seal” (tachash) skins, shittim (acacia) wood, olive oil, spices, and various precious gems. This stuff normally isn’t seen lying around the desert....
Various midrashim state that the gold and jewels came from despoiling the Egyptians (though some especially rare jewels were found in the desert with the manna that fell); the acacia trees came from Jacob, who foresaw the need 300 years earlier; and the required extra long beam (i.e., the middle beam for the mishkan) came from a tree that Abraham himself had planted which the angels had chopped down and carried to the desert for the Israelites.
According to the Midrash Rabbah, the mishkan is the likened to the creation of the universe:
Regarding the work of the first day of creation, it says, "He who stretches out the heavens like a curtain" (Psalms 104:2). Regarding the making of the Mishkan it says, "And you shall make curtains of goat's hair for a tent over the Tabernacle" (Exodus 26:7).
Regarding the work of the second day of creation, it says, "Let there be a firmament... and let it divide between the waters and the waters" (Genesis 1:6). Regarding the making of the Mishkan it says, "And the veil shall divide for you between the Holy and the Holy of Holies" (Exodus 26:33).
Regarding the work of the third day of creation, it says, "Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together" (Genesis 1:9). Regarding the making of the Mishkan it says, "And you shall make a copper basin, and the base thereof of copper, for washing" (Exodus 30: 18).
Regarding the work of the fourth day of creation, it says, "Let there be luminaries in the heavens" (Genesis 1:14). Regarding the making of the Mishkan it says, "And you shall make a Menorah of pure gold" (Exodus 25:31).
Regarding the work of the fifth day of creation, it says, "Let fowl fly above the earth" (Gen. 1:20). Regarding the making of the Mishkan it says, "The cherubim shall spread out their wings upward" (Exodus 25:20).
On the sixth day man was created [to inhabit and cultivate the earth]. Regarding the Mishkan, G-d says to Moses, "Bring near Aaron your brother [to perform the service in the Sanctuary]" (Exodus. 28:1).
Of the seventh day we have it written, "And the heaven and the earth were completed... And G-d completed His work... and G-d blessed... and G-d sanctified... " (Genesis 2:1-3). Regarding the making of the Mishkan it says: "Thus was completed all the work of the Tabernacle... And Moses blessed them... And it came to pass on the day that Moses completed the Tabernacle... and sanctified it" (Exodus 39:32-43; Numbers 7:1).
The purpose of the Mishkan was to provide a symbolic means for an Israelite under the covenant of Moses to come before the Presence of the LORD. Note that under these terms, the approach to the Holy One was predicated on the recognition of His moral law (as expressed in Sefer HaBrit, and in particular, the Ten Commandments), but access for the sinner was graciously given through sacrificial blood rituals as mediated by the designated Levitical priest. Atonement (“at-one-ment”) was only made possible by means of adherence to the prescribed patterns and rituals (which were later transferred to the Bet HaMikdash located on Moriah). Since the blood rituals form the basis for the enactment of the covenant, it should not be surprising that the Heavenly Reality would be found in the sacrificial blood of Yeshua the Mashiach as Kohen Gadol of Brit Chadashah (for additional information, see my article on Yom Kippur as well as Moriah).
(סוֹף)
Later, of course, the miskhan was transformed into the Bet Hamikdash, the holy Temple. The Haftarah portion links the Mishkan with the first Temple, the Bet Hamikdash of Solomon. As the Midrash says, “The land of Israel is situated in the center of the world, and Jerusalem in the center of the land of Israel, and the Temple in the center of Jerusalem, and the Holy of holies in the center of the Temple, and the foundation-stone on which the world was grounded, is situated in front of the ark.” - Midrash Tillin Terumah, Kedoshim
The Brit Chadashah readings pertain to the blessings of giving. I would also add Hebrews chapter 9 to this Brit Chadashah portion.
Note: This is an abbreviated parashah summary. I am unable to provide Haftarah and Brit Chadashah summaries this week.
Blessing after Torah Study:
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