Parsha discussion

Question : In the description of the materials actually donated, why are כסף and נחשת separates from זהב? Approach:  It appears that the order of the items donated are listed in the order that they would be needed, starting from the gold covering of the כלים inside the משכן (all gold), followed by the materials for the actual משבן itself, then the other metals (used initially to link the יריעות) and the wood. And then finally the materials for the clothing of the כהנים.

Question:  32:32 What book is משה referring to? Especially given that the past tense is used. Approach: The only previous ספר that we've seen is the ספר הברית that משה read to the people ahead of the famous declaration of נעשה ונשמע. It would seem that the reference therefore is to this ספר; the contents of which are somewhat unclear. But there would seemingly have been mention of the history (similar to the תורה), which would include the role of משה.

Question:  Why is the command to offer the פר for all seven days mentioned after the rest of the procedure was commanded to be repeated? Approach: A close reading of the פסוקים shows that this particular פר is intended as part of the "inauguration" of the מזבח, rather than the כהנים, which has been the previous topic.

Question:  Why are no dimensions given for the מכסה האהל? Approach:  It would seem that the מכסה (both versions) were to be a single piece of material, rather than the intricate 10 and 11 section יריעות of the lower two levels. And perhaps there was no need for anything to overhang onto the sides and so the size can be understood without specific need to be mentioned.