The Israelites bring so many materials for the construction of the Tabernacle that Moses tells them to stop; Bezalel and Oholiab, gifted craftspeople, construct the elements of the Tabernacle. Moses says to the people: “These are the objects which G-d commanded to be made. On six days work may be done, but the seventh day.

G-d had already commanded Moses how to build a Tent of Appointed Meeting for G-d. This Dwelling Place was a moveable holy sanctuary where the people can bring offerings to G-d. Priests were to wear special garments and wash before officiating in this sanctuary. Each person, rich and poor, was to donate half shekel …

G-d also reveals to Moses how to make the priestly garments and describes the seven day ritual to invest Aaron (Cohen Gadol) and his sons Nadav, Avihu, Elazar and Itamar (Cohanim) as priests. ”And Moses” G-d commands “you shall command the sons of Israel to use pure olive oil for kindling the light of the lamps.

During his forty-day vigil in the mountain, G-d provides Moses with detailed instructions about how to build the tabernacle, the Mishkan, and its furnishing, including the Ark of the Covenant, the seven branched Menorah, and the altar. G-d first instructs Moses how to fashion a Dwelling Place, a sanctuary for G-d’s presence.