“And the Lord spoke to Moses saying: Speak to the children of Israel that they take for Me an offering; of every person whose heart inclines to give, you shall take My offering” (Shemot 25:1-2).

The Israelites were invited to contribute to the building of the Mishkan, each according to the generosity of one’s heart. The Torah lists things to be donated: gold, silver and brass; various dyes; fine linen and goat’s hair; ram skins and seal skins; acacia wood; oil; spices; precious stones for the ephod and breastplate.

“Do not afflict or oppress the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 22:20)

“Do not oppress the stranger, for you know the soul of the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 23:9)

“When a stranger lives with you in your land, do not afflict him. As one of your citizens, the stranger who lives with you shall be to you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt, I am the Lord your God.”   ( Lev. 19:33-34)

Angel for Shabbat, Parashat Vaera

by Rabbi Marc D. Angel

"And Moses spoke before God saying: behold, the children of Israel did not listen to me; how then will Pharaoh listen to me..."

Moses brought the children of Israel a tremendous message: God was ready to end their slavery in Egypt; God would bring them to the Promised Land, a land flowing with milk and honey. After generations of harsh servitude, the Israelites would now become free.

When confronted with a blatant falsehood uttered by the President, his spokesperson said that the President was not lying but was presenting “alternative facts.” Apparently, “alternative facts” are not lies; they are to be considered as legitimate ways of describing things the way we wish to see them, regardless of whether or not they are true.