Exodus 38:27 - Divine accounting for sacred sockets

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Hebrew Text

וַיְהִי מְאַת כִּכַּר הַכֶּסֶף לָצֶקֶת אֵת אַדְנֵי הַקֹּדֶשׁ וְאֵת אַדְנֵי הַפָּרֹכֶת מְאַת אֲדָנִים לִמְאַת הַכִּכָּר כִּכָּר לָאָדֶן׃

English Translation

And of the hundred talents of silver were cast the sockets of the sanctuary, and the sockets of the veil; a hundred sockets of the hundred talents, a talent for a socket.

Transliteration

Vayehi me'at kikar hakesef latzeket et adnei hakodesh ve'et adnei haparochet me'at adanim lime'at hakikar kikar la'aden.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיְהִ֗י מְאַת֙ כִּכַּ֣ר הַכֶּ֔סֶף לָצֶ֗קֶת אֵ֚ת אַדְנֵ֣י הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ וְאֵ֖ת אַדְנֵ֣י הַפָּרֹ֑כֶת מְאַ֧ת אֲדָנִ֛ים לִמְאַ֥ת הַכִּכָּ֖ר כִּכָּ֥ר לָאָֽדֶן׃

Parasha Commentary

The Significance of the Silver Sockets

The verse (Shemot 38:27) describes the use of 100 talents of silver to cast the sockets (adanim) for the Mishkan (sanctuary) and the sockets for the parochet (veil). Rashi explains that these sockets served as the foundation for the Mishkan's beams, emphasizing their structural and spiritual importance. Each socket weighed exactly one talent, totaling 100 sockets for 100 talents, demonstrating precise divine measurement.

Symbolism of the Silver

The Midrash (Tanchuma, Pekudei 4) connects the silver used for the sockets to the atonement for the sin of the golden calf. Silver (kesef) is linguistically linked to longing (kisufin), representing the Jewish people's desire to rectify their mistake and reconnect with Hashem. The Ibn Ezra adds that silver, being a precious metal, signifies the enduring value of the Mishkan as a dwelling place for the Divine Presence.

The Number 100 and Its Meaning

The repetition of the number 100 highlights its significance. The Kli Yakar notes that 100 corresponds to the 100 blessings one should strive to recite daily (based on Devarim 10:12), suggesting that the Mishkan's foundation was built upon spiritual devotion. Additionally, the Sforno teaches that the uniformity of one talent per socket reflects the equal responsibility of each Jew in upholding the Mishkan's sanctity.

The Sockets as a Foundation

Structural Role: The adanim provided stability for the Mishkan, just as Torah and mitzvot stabilize Jewish life (Malbim).
Spiritual Role: The Ohr HaChaim interprets the sockets as symbols of humility—silver, a lesser metal than gold, forming the base, teaching that humility is the foundation of holiness.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Exodus 38:27 mean?
A: This verse describes how the silver collected for the Mishkan (Tabernacle) was used. Specifically, 100 talents of silver were used to make the sockets (bases) for the sanctuary and the veil. Each socket weighed one talent, totaling 100 sockets for the 100 talents of silver.

Q: Why is the silver used for the sockets important?
A: The sockets were foundational to the Mishkan, holding up its structure. According to Rashi, the silver symbolizes stability and purity, reflecting the importance of a strong spiritual foundation in serving Hashem. The precise measurement (one talent per socket) also teaches the value of exactness in fulfilling mitzvot.

Q: What can we learn from the way the silver was allocated in this verse?
A: The verse teaches about fairness and precision in dedicating resources to holy purposes. The Midrash notes that every detail of the Mishkan's construction had divine significance, and the equal distribution of silver (one talent per socket) reflects the principle of balanced and intentional giving for sacred causes.

Q: How does this verse apply to us today?
A: Just as the silver was carefully measured and used for a sacred purpose, we learn to be mindful in how we allocate our resources—whether time, money, or effort—toward mitzvot and community needs. The Rambam teaches that supporting holy causes should be done with the same precision and sincerity as in the Mishkan's construction.