Summary and Outline edit

Parashat Terumah (Exodus 25:1-27:19) begins the third major part of Exodus, which elaborately describes the construction of the Tabernacle (mishkan), its vessels, and the garments of its priests (Exodus 25-40). This third and last part of Exodus contains five parashot: Terumah, Tetzaveh, Ki Tissa, Vayakhel, Pekudei. The latter two are sometimes combined (Vayakhel-Pekudei).

Within this third and last part of Exodus there is just one major interruption to the topic of the Tabernacle, namely the sin of the Golden Calf, which will appear later in Parashat Ki Tissa (chaps. 32-34). Parashat Terumah itself has no interruption at all to its theme; it is entirely devoted to the Tabernacle, its vessels, and its courtyard.

The Tabernacle and its Vessels (chapters 25-26)

  • Preface: Contributions for the Tabernacle and its vessels (25:1-9)
  • Vessels of the Tabernacle (25:10-40)
    • The Ark (aron) and its Cover (kaporet) with Cherubs (25:10-22)
    • The Table (shulchan) of (25:23-30)
    • The Menorah (25:31-40)
  • The Tabernacle Itself (26)
    • Covers of the Tabernacle (26:1-14)
    • The Wooden Framework of the Tabernacle (26:15-30)
    • Conclusion: Layout of the Tabernacle (26:31-37)
      • The Partition (parokhet) between the Holy and Holy of Holies (31-34); Placement of the Ark, Table, and Menorah in the “Holy�? (35); the Entrance Screen to the Tabernacle from the Courtyard (36-37).

The Courtyard (chazer) of the Tabernacle (27)

  • The Alter in the Courtyard (27:1-8)
  • The Courtyard (27:9-19)

For study and review purposes, Parashat Terumah (96 verses) divides naturally into two or three parts:

  • Two sections:
    • Rishon-Shelishi (54 verses; 25:1-26:14)
    • Revii-Shevii (42 verses; 26:15-27:19)
  • Three sections:
    • Rishon-Sheni (40 verses; ch. 25)
    • Shelishi-Revii (30 verses; 26:1-30)
    • Chamishi-Shevii (26 verses; 26:31-27:19)

Helpful tips for reading edit

Sheni has a particularly rich selection of teamim, making it an excellent example for learners.

Usually the second aliya ends with Exodus 20:40, but in some books it ends with Exodus 20:30.

Recordings edit

Rishon edit

Sheni edit

Shelishi edit

Revi'i edit

Hamishi edit

Shishi edit

Shevi'i edit

maftir edit

Haftarah edit