Rabbi L. Scheinbaum

“These are the accounts of the Mishkan, the Mishkan of the Testimony, as they were rendered according to the directive of Moshe, the service of the Leviim was by the hand (authority) of Isamar son of Aharon the Kohen. And Betzalel son of Uri son of Chur, of the tribe of Yehudah, made everything that Hashem commanded Moshe.” (38:21,22)

The Sforno states four characteristics which enabled the perpetuation of the Mishkan, not letting it fall into the hands of enemies. First, it was “Mishkan Ha’eidus,” the Tabernacle of the Testimony, in which the two luchos were deposited attesting to Hashem’s covenant with Bnei Yisrael. Second, it was “rendered according to the directive of Moshe,” the master of all neviim. It was, therefore, especially protected by Hashem. Third, it represented “the service of Leviim by the hands of Isamar.” Isamar was a man of outstanding piety and integrity, whose contribution undoubtedly elevated the spiritual status of the Mishkan. Fourth, it…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Vayakhel

“These are the accounts of the Mishkan.” (38:21)

The Midrash makes an interesting statement with regard to the word vkt, “these”. Hashem said to Klal Yisrael, “With the word vkt you sinned against Me, when you proclaimed “lhvkt vkt ktrah, these are your god(s), Yisrael”; with vkt you will offer penance and I will forgive you.” Chazal infer that the Mishkan serves as an atonement for the sin of the Golden Calf, the incident in which Klal Yisrael deviated from worship of Hashem and embraced the eigel. Chazal’s statement implies that the core of the sin of the Golden Calf lay in the words, “These are your gods.”…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Vayakhel

“See, Hashem has called by name, Betzalel the son of Uri son of Chur, of the tribe of Yehudah. He has filled him with G-dly spirit, with wisdom, insight and knowledge, and with every craft.” (35:30,31)

Why did Moshe believe that everyone noticed that Hashem had selected Betzalel? Indeed, why should his appointment be any more discernible than Aharon’s, about which there is no mention of “seeing”? Horav Moshe Feinstein z.l., contends that any individual who has been granted special talents — as was Betzalel — should realize that Hashem bestowed his gift upon him for a reason. These talents are to be employed in the service of Hashem, either on behalf of Am Yisrael or to promote Hashem’s Name in the world. Demanding that the individual must fulfill a specific mitzvah with his talent would…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Vayakhel

“See, Hashem has called by name, Betzalel the son of Uri son of Chur.” (35:30)

The Daas Zekeinim indicates that Moshe originally believed that he would be the one to build the Mishkan. Hashem told Moshe that, on the contrary, Betzalel was a more suitable candidate to build it. It was Betzalel’s grandfather, Chur, who had sacrificed his life attempting to dissuade Bnei Yisrael from making the Golden Calf. The Mishkan serves as an atonement for the sin of the Golden Calf. Therefore, it is appropriate for the grandson of the individual who gave up his life fighting against that sin to be the one to build the Mishkan. This atonement is, indeed, different from…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Vayakhel

“And the entire congregation of Bnei Yisrael left Moshe’s presence. Each person who was ready to volunteer then came forward. And everyone who wanted to give brought a donation to Hashem for the making of the Ohel Moed, for all its labor and for the sacred vestments.”(35:20,21)

There seems to be a disparity between the “entire congregation” — which left Moshe’s presence — and “each person” — who volunteered to donate for the Mishkan. What happened to everyone who left Moshe’s appeal excited and enthusiastic, ready to respond? When Moshe spoke, the entire Klal Yisrael listened eagerly. When it came time to send in their donations, however, only the truly committed actually responded. Regrettably, as the Chida notes, there is a chasm between listening and committing oneself. What initially excites the person does not always translate into serious contribution. At times the disparity between intent and implementation…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Vayakhel

“And Moshe assembled all the congregation of Bnei Yisrael and he said unto them, ‘These (are) the words (things) that Hashem has commanded that you should do them. Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day (there) shall be to you a holy (day).'” (35:1,2)

Moshe gathered all of Klal Yisrael together and commenced his speech, declaring, “These are the words (things) that Hashem has commanded that you should do them.” Moshe, however, followed his announcement of what the people should do with the exhortation concerning the laws of Shabbos, which are clearly things they should not do. How do we reconcile this seeming inconsistency in the text? In response to this question, Horav Simcha Z. Broide, Shlita, cites the Yalkut Shimoni that attributes a different meaning to these pesukim. The Yalkut states: Hashem said to Moshe, “Make for yourself great congregations and study before…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Ki Sisa

“And when Moshe had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face.” (34:33)

Horav Moshe Feinstein z.l., takes note of the fact that Moshe did not wear the veil on his face when he taught Torah to Klal Yisrael. He infers two valuable pedagogical lessons from this fact. First, a rebbe/teacher must be able to make eye contact with his students in order to delve into their hearts and minds. He must attempt to understand every aspect of their lives. He must literally find out what makes them “tick.” A rebbe should not shy away and “hide” his face, remaining aloof from his students. He should always be accessible to them, to guide,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Ki Sisa

“Hew out for yourself two tablets of stone like the first ones.” (34:1)

Upon descending from Har Sinai and witnessing the degradation of Am Yisrael with the Golden Calf, Moshe immediately broke the luchos. After entreating Hashem on behalf of Am Yisrael, Moshe was commanded to hew out a second set of luchos. This time Moshe was to ascend the mountain alone. The Midrash notes the disparity between the aura surrounding the giving of the first luchos and the aura surrounding the giving of the second ones. The first luchos were given amidst great publicity, before the entire nation, accompanied with thunder, lightning and smoke. Chazal point out that the first luchos were…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Ki Sisa

“And he cast out of his hands the tablets and he broke them beneath the mountain.” (32:19)

In the Talmud Shabbos 87 Chazal state that Hashem acquiesced with Moshe’s decision to break the luchos. What is the rationale for breaking the luchos? Was there no other alternative than to destroy Hashem’s handiwork? Horav Mordechai Ilan z.l., explains the spirit behind the breaking of the luchos in the following manner. Man must clear a path in which he can fulfill the lifestyle he chooses to adopt. Differentiating between good and evil, he must select a definite way of life. When one vacillates back and forth in a quasi-darkness between good and evil, it is worse than complete abdication…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Ki Sisa

“Go down, for your people have dealt corruptly… they have turned aside quickly from the way… they have made for themselves a molten calf.” (32:7,8)

In its narrative regarding the chet ha’eigel, sin of the Golden Calf, the Torah paints Klal Yisrael’s transgression as a truly dark and bleak picture. Aharon Ha’Kohen yielded to the demands of the people and made the eigel, which was to be used as an avodah zarah, idol. The people responded to this idol as if it were some sort of pagan divinity. They sang and danced with excitement at the prospect of “worshipping” their newly found god. The Talmud, on the other hand, does not seem to indict Bnei Yisrael in such sharp terms. First, Chazal teach us that…

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“These are the accounts of the Mishkan.” (38:21)

“See, Hashem has called by name, Betzalel the son of Uri son of Chur, of the tribe of Yehudah. He has filled him with G-dly spirit, with wisdom, insight and knowledge, and with every craft.” (35:30,31)

“See, Hashem has called by name, Betzalel the son of Uri son of Chur.” (35:30)

“And the entire congregation of Bnei Yisrael left Moshe’s presence. Each person who was ready to volunteer then came forward. And everyone who wanted to give brought a donation to Hashem for the making of the Ohel Moed, for all its labor and for the sacred vestments.”(35:20,21)

“And Moshe assembled all the congregation of Bnei Yisrael and he said unto them, ‘These (are) the words (things) that Hashem has commanded that you should do them. Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day (there) shall be to you a holy (day).'” (35:1,2)

“And when Moshe had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face.” (34:33)

“Hew out for yourself two tablets of stone like the first ones.” (34:1)

“And he cast out of his hands the tablets and he broke them beneath the mountain.” (32:19)

“Go down, for your people have dealt corruptly… they have turned aside quickly from the way… they have made for themselves a molten calf.” (32:7,8)

YEARS

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