parsha bit: T'rumah

[cellio]

In this week's parsha God commands Israel to build the mishkan, a rather large sanctuary in which God will dwell. I've long wondered where the Israelites found all the needed wood (and other materials) in the desert. One midrash says that the trees used for this wood were planted by Yaakov, who foresaw that wood would be needed by his descendants later. He instructed his sons to plant the trees, and when Israel came out of Mitzrayim the full-grown trees waited, ready to be used. (Tanhuma, T'rumah 9)

Comments

[cellio]

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks! (I thought a forge required more specialized materials, including iron.)