Halachik Measurements, Weights, and the Kesuva

The Biblical measurements and weights are interrelated. If we know the size of the Biblical "amah" we can calculate the weight of the Biblical (pure) silver Shekel. The method that we use is to calculate the cubic volume of the socket "adon" of the Tabernacle of Moshe Rabainu (the prophet Moses) whose weight was equal to three thousand pure silver "shekolim" coins, and from there calculate the weight of the socket knowing the weight of pure silver per cubic volume, and we then know the weight of each Shekel.

The cubic volume of the socket = (1 amah) x (1 amah) x (0.75 amah) less the rectangular cut out in the middle made to receive the tenon of the wood beam. The cubic volume of this cutout measured, (1 amah) x (0.5 amah) x (0.25 amah). Therefore, the cubic volume of the adon = (0.625) x (amah³).

The calculation of the size of the amah is based on Tractate Pesachim (page 94 side one) that is interpreted to mean that the semi-circumference of the equator is six thousand Parsee. The Parsah referred to here uses the Construction Standard of measurement where 1 Construction Parsah = 8,000 Construction amos, and 1 Construction amah = 20 agodlim. Therefore, 6,000 Parsee = 960,000,000 agodlim = 12,450.775 mi.= 20,033.296,975 km. Therefore, an agodol = 2.086,801,768 cm. and an a halachik amah of 24 agodlim = 0.500,832,424,3 mt.

We now calculate the cu.ft. of the Adon (socket) by the previous formula. (0.625) x (amah)³ = (0.625) x (1.643,502,3)³ = 2.774,528,2 ft³ = 1 adon. The weight of pure silver per cu.ft. = 655 lb./ft.³ = 10,480 oz./ft.³ , and per cu.mt. = 10,499,005grams/mt³, therefore, the weight of 1 adon = 29,077.177,6 oz./adon º 3,000 Shekolim = 9.692,351 oz. = 1 silver shekel º 20 Gairah = 0.484,617,591 oz.= 13.738,908,718 gram = 1 Gairah of pure silver. Other Bible commentaries disagree with Rashi and are of the opinion that the Biblical Shekel is more or less about the same weight as the government coined Shekel during the times of the Roman occupation of Israel. However, no coins were found having markings that they belong to the Holy Temple. It would be necessary for such coins to bear such inscriptions in order that they are not mistaken with coins that are not Holy. According to these commentaries the weight of the Biblical Shekel varies between 11 grams and 17.22 grams. According to this, the weight of the two adonom for each beam was maximum (3,000) x (2) x (17.22) = 103 kilogram = 227 lb. The beam however weighed [(9 amah) x (1.5 amah) x (1 amah)] + {2 x [(1 amah) x (0.25 amah) x (0.5 amah)]} = (13.625 amah³) = 60.485ft³ x 39 lb./ft³/cedar-wood = 1,070 kg. = 2,359 lb. Therefore, a 227lb. adon could not support a beam weighing 2,359 lb. If so, how was it possible to align the beams in perfect order and hold them in place until they were ready to insert the rods (biree'chim) through them in order to join them together, when only one person was able to hold on beam one side and another person at the opposite side. They could not have used ropes with many people pulling them because the ropes would separate one beam from the other. The only way it could have been done is by many people lifting each beam and balancing it, then they would entrust it in the hands of a two people to keep the beams balanced. This still would be extremely difficult especially on a wind blowing day. However, according to Rashi, the two adonim weighed about 3,634 lb. or about 1,275 lb. more than the beam thus supporting the beams and aligning t