Parashat Pekudei

'''Parashas Pekudei''' is the eleventh and final parsha in the Book of Shemos. Most years is read along with Parshas Vayakhel. It contains 92 pesukim. For the Haftora, the inauguration of the First Beis Hamikdosh by King Shlomo is read.

# '''Silver''' - 100 Kikar and 1,775 Shekel. This silver was collected in a separate Machatzit Hashekel collection where each one of the 603,550 adult males donated a half a shekel. Since each Kikar was equivalent to 3,000 shekel, 600,000 half shekels produced 300,000 full shikalim which equaled 100 Kikarim. An additional 3,550 half shekel equaled 1,175 full shikalim.

## '''Adonim / Sockets''' - Used for both, Adonim of the Kirashim and the Adonim of the Parochet Amudim, created from the 100 Kikar. In total 100 sockets were created, 2 for each of the 48 Kirashim, totaling 96 and one for each one of the Amudim. Each  one of the Adonim was composed of a full kikar of silver.

##'''Begdi Hasrad / Meshwork Garments''' - created for covering the vessels  during their transportation. No linen was used in these coverings.

### '''Efod / Apron''' and connected Sardonyx Shoam stones. Ephod was made of  blue, purple, and crimson wool, twisted fine linen, and gold threads. They would hammer the gold into thin sheets and then cut threads from the length of the sheet. Each of these golden threads was intertwined with six threads of each variety (blue, red, purple, linen), making each thread composed of seven strands, six of its variety and one of gold. Two shoulder straps were created, one on each end of the Efod, on which Shoham stones were enclosed in gold settings and had the names of the 12 Tribes engraved on them. The Ephod also contained a Cheshev belt.

### '''Choshen / Breastplate''' - created with the expertise of master weavers,  using the same type of threads created for the Ephod. Its final shape was square and it contained four rows set with gemstones. First row: odem, pitdah and bareketh. Second row: nofech, sappir and yahalom. Third row: leshem, shevo and achlamah. Fourth row: tarshish, shoham and yashpheh. Names of the Twelve Tribes were engraved on these stones as well. The Chosehn was held in place by two gold chains running between rings on each of its top corners and the shoulder straps of the Efod. Additional blue dyed wool straps connected rings on the bottom corners of the Choshen to rings on the lower part of the Ephod straps right before they connected to the Cheshev.

### '''Migbaot / Turban''' - glorious high hats for regular Kohanim, created from linen.

### '''Tzitz / Headband''' - showplate was created from pure gold. Upon it was engraved "Holy to YKVK".  It was worn on the forehead of the Kohen Gdoel, spaced far enough from the edge of the Mitznefet to don his Tefilin in between the two. It was held in place on by 6 cords of blue wool, two tied to each of its two sides and two to its center which ran over the turban. All of 6 cords met opposite his nape and were tied together.

Moshe then blessed the Nation; “May it be His will that the Shechinah should rest in the work of your hands. And may the pleasantness of  Hashem Elokim be upon us…”. This blessing was later integrated into Tehilim chapter 90 which was structured based on the prayers of Moshe.

Moshe assembles the Mishkan on the first day of Nissan, almost a year after the exodus from Egypt. When the Jews did not succeed in erecting the Mishkan, since no human being was strong enough to put up the heavy Kirashim, they brought it to Moshe. He asked Hashem how it was possible for him to do so and Hashem replied that Moshe should just pretend as if he was doing the work and Mishkan would erect itself. Moshe was given the honor of erecting the Mishkan since he took no part in its actual creation.

# Spread the Yirios Ezim - goat hair tent covering over the Mishkan

# Placed the Shulchan table on the northern half of the Ohel Moed's width, outside the dividing curtain.

# Offered upon alter the daily Tomid burnt offering along with its Mincha meal offering and its libations. These communal sacrifices were offered by Moshe during all the days of the inauguration, including the eighth day when Aaron began partaking in the services.

Upon Moshe's completion of the Mishakan's assembly, the Shichina descended and dwelled upon it. A cloud covered the Ohel Moed, and the glory of Hashem filled the Mishkan. As long as the cloud covered the Ohel Moed, Moshe was unable to enter it. When it withdrew he would enter and Hashem would speak with him.

The Mishkan was transported by the Levim who were managed by Ithamar the son of Ahraon the Kohen. It was his job to assign  different tasks and responsibilities for each of the Levite families.