The mysterious furniture of the Tabernacle of Moses has long been a subject of fascination for scholars and curious minds alike. The cha

Explore the significance of the Brazen Laver in the Tabernacle of Moses. Discover how the Brazen Laver, though last, plays a pivotal...

"The altar that alters." The altar of burnt sacrifice, commonly called the brazen altar, stood in the eastern half of the courtyard of the Tabernacle (Hebrew Mishkan “dwelling place”). This holy vessel was the first station encountered when anyone passed through the gate or entrance to the Mishkan.

When the Ark arrived from its captivity among the Philistines, broken and battered, Israel needed a haven for it. My house was chosen - a dwelling atop the hill, a place set apart. I remember the day we welcomed the Ark into our home, trembling with fear and gratitude. My son Eleazar was consecrated to guard it, a mark of our devotion to the God of Israel. For twenty years (1 Samuel 7:1-2), the Ark stood silently among us as the very symbol of God’s presence among His peop

How would you feel if your sin was fully displayed before the world, the subject of juicy gossip? You are the talk of the community. What would be your thoughts if you walked into a room and all eyes turned toward you in a silent gaze? What if the room you walked into was your church or synagogue? Would the fear of rejection cause you to turn the other way and run out the door?

The biblical incense of Exodus 30 was a unique blend of spices. The Hebrew word for “spices” (besamim) is derived from basam which means “to

“There is a first time for everything.” This may be true. Imagine if a “once in a lifetime” opportunity comes your way.

The "mercy seat" is the place on the Ark of the Covenant that covers the Ten Commandments (Law of God). This is the place where the blood is applied to make atonement or cover over the sin(s) being atoned for. A friend of mine explains it this way. Inside the Ark of the Covenant were the Ten Commandments, or the standards the Lord expects his people to live by. But the Lord's children sin and break those commandments. The Lord made provisions for this sin to be "covere

As the incense would lie upon the hot coals, a sweet-smelling aroma or a fragrance would begin to rise. Often, this aroma is just called smoke, but it is not ordinary smoke; it is a “sweet” smelling fragrance or aroma. When Aaron burned the incense at the golden altar, the entire holy place was filled with the aroma. This sweet-smelling aroma went beyond the holy place as it wafted past the entrance to the tabernacle and eventually beyond the gate of the tabernacle. 

Photo by William P. and Rochelle A. Houser - Creative Commons License Free Bible Images Secret Recipe for Showbread "I want to make to...

Introduction In my work with addicts over the last forty years, I have learned one thing. People act out impulsively. Our current culture...

Two Rabbis – How Many Opinions? My chaplaincy mentor, Rabbi Minard Klein of blessed memory, told me this joke. “How many opinions do you...

Exodus 26:14 JPS 1917 And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams’ skins dyed red and a covering of sealskins above. The...

Exodus 26:7 JPS 1917 And thou shalt make curtains of goats’ hair for a tent over the tabernacle curtains shalt thou make them. The Rationale of the 4 Part Series Both Judaism and Christianity understand our bodies and souls to be God’s Temple (see also Silberberg, The Inner Dimension of Plag Hamincha , Chabad.org; Hecht, What was the Holy Temple? Chabad.org; 1 Corinthians 6:19). Therefore, in these four-part series, I intend to first, examine the historical or practical use

Illustration created for The Tabernacle Man by Gilbert Contreras – Beryl Martin, Inc. 2008 Exodus 26:1 JPS 1917 Moreover, thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains: of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, with cherubim the work of the skillful workman shalt thou make them. 4 Coverings of the Tabernacle The roof was constructed of four separate coverings: (a) an inner wall hanging of multicolored wool and linen with cherubim; (b) a covering made of goa

The Moses Method for Raising Money The story of raising the materials and the construction of the Tabernacle is fascinating. I wish Moses...

The Mishkan is studied each year in the Torah's regular reading cycle. Numerous Parshiyot and thirty chapters of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy are devoted to the Mishkan and the Levitical offerings associated with it. Although the Mishkan was the portable place of worship for nearly four centuries, it provided the pattern or blueprint for the first and second Temples in Jerusalem. The Mishkan was the forerunner of the intended permanent house of prayer in Jerusa

The Altar of Incense: “What’s That Smell?” As the incense would lay upon the hot coals a sweet-smelling aroma or a fragrance would begin...

12 Loaves of bread representing the 12 tribes Exodus 37:10-16 JPS 1917 - Description of the Table And he made the table of acacia wood:...

The Tabernacle of Moses or the Mosaic Tabernacle, is divided into three sections. The specific pattern and layout of the three sections are important for our study because it illustrates God’s prescribed pattern, path, or way for a flawed human being to approach a holy God. Preparing "The Way" to Approach a Holy God   As the early morning sun rises above the horizon, the priest approaches the laver, the priest ceremonially cleanses himself by pouring water on each hand and fo