Exodus 40: A Little Help From My Friends

YINR 929: Tanach Yomi · Jan 1, 2026 · 1m

“In the first month of the second year, on the first of the month, the Tabernacle was set up/ Moses set up the Tabernacle, placing its sockets, setting up its planks, inserting its bars, and erecting its posts.” (verses 17–18)

וַיְהִי בַּחֹדֶשׁ הָרִאשׁוֹן בַּשָּׁנָה הַשֵּׁנִית בְּאֶחָד לַחֹדֶשׁ הוּקַם הַמִּשְׁכָּן׃

וַיָּקֶם מֹשֶׁה אֶת־הַמִּשְׁכָּן וַיִּתֵּן אֶת־אֲדָנָיו וַיָּשֶׂם אֶת־קְרָשָׁיו וַיִּתֵּן אֶת־בְּרִיחָיו וַיָּקֶם אֶת־עַמּוּדָיו׃

The use of passive voice in the verse is puzzling. Moshe is the one who puts the building together and the people create the Mishkan. Why does verse 17…