שמות פרק כה, ב דַ בֵּ ר אֶ ל-בְ נֵּי יִשְ רָ אֵּ ל וְיִקְ חּו-לִ י תְ רּומָ ה
Why is this parsha connected to the preceding Parsha of Mishpatim? All of one’s actions of holiness also must be performed in a manner of justice. Doing holy acts does not exempt one from proper conduct. If not, then G-d does not accept one’s offering. This is similar to the concept of a Mitzvah that occurs by the means of a sin, such as a stolen estrog.
שמות פרק כה, ב מֵּ אֵּ ת כָל-אִ יש אֲשֶ ר יִדְ בֶ נּו לִ בֹו תִ קְ חּו אֶ ת-תְ רּומָ תִ י
A general concept is that saying (pledging) to the High (holy items), is similar to the physical passing of an item to another person. Thus, when a person pledges to charity, the Bais Din can coerce payment of the pledge. Conceptually, we understand that when a person makes a promise to G-d, then one’s soul will certainly wish to fulfill the pledge. However, we understand that one’s Yetzer may prevent fulfillment of the pledge. Therefore, they force the person (one’s body) to agree with the main part of a person (one’s soul).
שמות פרק כה, ז אַ בְ נֵּי-שֹהַ ם וְאַ בְ נֵּי מִ ּלֻּאִ ים לָאֵּ פֹד וְלַ חשֶ ן:
From the flow of the verse, it appears that the two types of stones were placed both on the Aifod and on the Choshen. However, like in many other places (listed by Rabbi Epstein), the verse is read in portions: the shoham stones were for the Aifod and the filling stones were for the Choshen.
שמות פרק כה, י וְעָ שּו אֲרֹון
Regarding the other vessels listed in this Parsha, the Torah uses the phrase ועשית (you singular shall make) referring to being done by Moshe. However, in the making of the Aron, a plural (they should make) is used. The allusion is that the Torah (the primary item in the Aron) can be “owned” by all Jews, whether rich or poor.
שמות פרק כה, י וְעָ שּו אֲרֹון עֲצֵּי שִ טִ ים אַ מָ תַ יִם וָחֵּ צִ י אָ רְ כֹו וְאַ מָ ה וָחֵּ צִ י רָ חְ בֹו וְאַ מָ ה וָ חֵּ צִ י קֹמָ תֹו:
The verses of the measurements of the other vessels in the Mishkah are in full numbers, whereas by the Aron a ½ amah is included. The Aron alludes to the Torah. And the Torah is not contained within the physical measurements of this world. In essence a portion of the Torah remains in the Heavens.
שמות פרק כה, יא וְצִ פִ יתָ אֹתֹו זָהָ ב טָ הֹור מִ בַ יִת ּומִ חּוץ
The Aron is the only vessel listed which included this detail of coating on the inside and the outside. The Aron is an allusion to the Torah and to Talmidei Chachamim. This detail alludes to the concept that a Talmid Chacham needs to have an inside that is like the outside, having good middos and a good appearance.
שמות פרק כה, יא וְצִ פִ יתָ אֹתֹו זָהָ ב טָ הֹור מִ בַ יִת ּומִ חּוץ תְ צַפֶ נּו וְעָשִ יתָ עָלָיו זֵּר זָהָ ב סָ בִ יב:
The inner Altar and the Shulchan, in addition to the Aron, also have a rim like a crown around their edges. However, by the other two items the Torah uses the word לו, whereas by the Aron, the word עליו is used. Rabbi Epstein explains the word לו implies an inheritance to one’s later generations. Whereas by the Aron (allusion to Torah), all people have an opportunity to own the crown (gold-plated rim) of Torah.