
Pekudei (פקודי – Inventories) and Shabbat HaChodesh (החודש – Of Renewal)
Exodus 38:21–40:38, Exodus 12:1–20, and Ezekiel 45:16–46:18
The Torah provides an inventory of the materials used for the Mishkan (Tabernacle), where the Divine Presence resides. It also outlines instructions for preparing for Pesach (Passover) and the sanctification(1) of the month of Nissan. The Haftarah for Shabbat HaChodesh discusses laws related to the Third Temple.
Exodus 39:6
וַיַּעֲשׂוּ אֶת-אַבְנֵי הַשֹּׁהַם, מֻסַבֹּת מִשְׁבְּצֹת זָהָב, מְפֻתָּחֹת פִּתּוּחֵי חוֹתָם, עַל-שְׁמוֹת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל
They prepared the onyx stones, set in gold mounts, engraved as seals are engraved, with the names of the sons of Israel.
The Edmond Safra(2) Complex (קרית אדמונד ספרא – Kiryat Edmond Safra) in Shoham (שֹׁהַם – Onyx) is home to various shops and services, including several synagogues representing Sephardic, Ashkenazi, Chabad, and Yemenite traditions. It is situated in a neighborhood where streets bear the names of the stones(3) from the Hoshen Mishpat (חֹשֶׁן מִשְׁפָּט – Breastplate of Judgment): Odem (אֹדֶם – Ruby), Pitdah (פִּטְדָה – Topaz), Bareket (ברקת – Emerald), Sapir (סַפִּיר – Sapphire), Yahalom (יהלום – Diamond), Leshem (לֶשֶׁם – Opal), and Tarshish (תַּרְשִׁישׁ – Beryl). This toponymic choice reflects an intentional effort to connect spiritual heritage to modern living spaces.
(1) Four New Years are mentioned in the Mishnah (Rosh Hashanah 1:1):
– The 15th of Shevat (Tu BiShevat), the New Year for Trees, determines the agricultural year for fruits. This date is significant for applying laws regarding tithes and offerings.
– The 1st of Nissan, the New Year for Kings and Festivals, marks the beginning of the month cycle in the Jewish calendar. It is associated with the Exodus from Egypt (Exodus 12:2, Shabbat HaChodesh).
– The 1st of Elul, the New Year for Cattle, is the time to calculate tithes for cattle to be offered as sacrifices at the Temple.
– The 1st of Tishrei (Rosh Hashanah), the Universal New Year, marks the start of the civil year. It is the day when the world is judged by Lord.
(2) Edmond Jacob Safra (1932–1999), a Lebanese-Brazilian-Monégasque banker and philanthropist from a Sephardic family, founded several prestigious financial institutions. He is remembered for his support of humanitarian, educational, and cultural causes. His legacy continues through the Edmond J. Safra Foundation.
(3) Exodus 36:11-14: At first glance, the stones Nofekh (נֹפֶךְ – Malachite), Shevo (שְׁבוֹ – Agate), Ahlamah (אַחְלָמָה – Amethyst), and Yashfeh (יָשְׁפֵה – Jasper) do not appear to be represented in this neighborhood.
The translation of the names of fine and precious stones remains uncertain