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  --------------------------------------------- THE MYSTERIOUS TACHASH In Parshat Terumah we read about the offerings donated for the construction of the Mishkan. One of these offerings were Tachash skins.  At 26:14 we are instructed that the roof of the Mishkan is to be made up of animal skins, red dyed ram skins and the uppermost layer is to be composed of “tachash” skins. וְעָשִׂיתָ מִכְסֶה לָאֹהֶל, עֹרֹת אֵילִם מְאָדָּמִים, וּמִכְסֵה עֹרֹת תְּחָשִׁים, מִלְמָעְלָה "And you shall make a covering for the tent of ram skins dyed red and a covering of tachash skins above”. Additionally, in the Book of Numbers at Chapter 4 we learn that Tachash skins were used to wrap sacred objects and ready them for transport. It is puzzling that the Sages and the Commentators do not know what the Tachash is.  It seems so obvious. Since the Tachash forms the uppermost layer of the Mishkan roof the animal’s hide must have been tough and maybe sort a weather proofing material. One Rabbi in t...

  YITRO-JETHRO   The Many Faces Going against tradition is a difficult task. Let me say at the outset; I do not like Jethro or the Rabbinic white-washing given to him and his Midianite family. And these are the reasons why: From the get-go, Jethro was a self-serving conniving opportunist who had seven daughters who needed husbands. That is why he showed kindness to a runaway Egyptian criminal, wanted for homicide and perhaps sedition. Moses never really fully accepted his wife Zipporah or their children. He divorces her and refuses to circumcise his children, never accepting them as Jewish. In the Chumash and in our history they are absent and are not mentioned as part of the family tree. In contrast to Aaron’s family Moses’ offspring are not honored by leadership or Priesthood roles. When Moses banishes Zipporah, Jethro is stuck providing for her and the kids. Then Jethro learns of Moses’ success, that Moses has become a king of sorts, and kings are rich and...