Sruly Schnair

“You shall make a copper laver… and put water there… Now take for yourself choice spices… of it you shall make sacred anointing oil… Take for yourself spices… You shall make it into a spice compound (for the incense)…” (30:18,23,25,34,35)

The section devoted to the Mishkan and its appurtenances closes with a discourse regarding three natural substances which are designated for use in the Mishkan. They are: water, reserved for washing and consecrating the Kohanim; choice spices, which were to be mixed with oil to anoint the Kohanim and various holy objects; and sweet spices, assigned to the offering of incense. Horav Eli Munk, z.l., conjectures that although no obvious thread connects these elements with sanctity, nonetheless, they, each have a distinguishing characteristic that makes them well-suited for holiness. Water’s clarity and simplicity are the traits that symbolize external purity….

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Sruly Schnair In Tetzaveh, 5756

“Every morning when he cleans the lamps, he shall bring it up in smoke. And when Aharon kindles the lamps in the afternoon he shall bring it up in smoke.” (30:7,8)

It is notable that Aharon would burn the ketores, incense, daily at the same time as he would clean and kindle the Menorah. What is the significance of the juxtaposition of these various forms of service? Horav Moshe Feinstein, z.l., offers two lessons to be derived from this relationship. The Menorah symbolizes Torah scholars who illuminate the world by virtue of their Torah study and dissemination. The ketores gave off a fragrant smell. The connection between these avodos is that a Torah scholar should possess an acute sense of smell. He should have the capacity to “sniff out” which philosophies…

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Sruly Schnair In Tetzaveh, 5756

“And you shall slaughter the ram and take its blood and put it upon the tip of Aharon’s ear… and upon the thumb of their right hand and upon the big toe of their right foot.” (29:20)

The commentators observe that every Kohen and Torah leader must be prepared to minister to the needs of every individual Jew. The “ear” must be sensitive, prepared to listen and empathize with the plight of another Jew. It must have the capacity to discern and acknowledge the cries of the afflicted. The “hand” is not there only to take — to accept gifts, regardless of their nature and the intent of the benefactor. The hand must also accustom itself to give — to assist whenever and wherever it may be needed. The “foot” represents the leader’s willingness to go any…

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Sruly Schnair In Tetzaveh, 5756

“And you shall bring near to you Aharon your brother and his sons with him, from amongst the Bnei Yisrael, that they minister unto Me.” (28:1)

The Midrash comments that Moshe seemed to be upset when Hashem instructed him to induct Aharon into the Kehunah. When Moshe indicated his displeasure, Hashem responded that the Torah was His and that it had been given to Moshe. The Midrash seems to imply that Moshe desired to have a share in the Kehunah, to which Hashem responded that he already had his portion — the Torah. This Midrash is perplexing. Moshe Rabbeinu was the paragon of humility. It is difficult to understand why Moshe would be envious of his brother’s new function. Horav Mordechai Rogov, z.l., delineates between the…

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Sruly Schnair In Tetzaveh, 5756

“And they shall take unto you pure beaten olive oil for the light.” (27:20)

Klal Yisrael is compared to the olive. This is the reason that the oil used for the Menorah was to be extracted from an olive. What is the basis of the parallel between the olive and the nature of Klal Yisrael? After all, Klal Yisrael has been compared to the fruits of many trees. What unique characteristic of the olive is reflected in Klal Yisrael’s personality? The Midrash explains that Klal Yisrael’s destiny is very much like that of the olive. In order to obtain oil from the olive, it must first be “knocked” off the tree. Afterwards, it is…

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Sruly Schnair In Terumah, 5756

“You shall make a Menorah of pure gold, hammered out shall the Menorah be made… see and make, according to their form which you are shown on the mountain.” (25:31,40)

The various forms of the Menorah were to be hammered out from one large ingot of gold. The Midrash teaches that Moshe had great difficulty visualizing the exact appearance of the Menorah. In response, Hashem showed him a Menorah made of fire. Moshe was still concerned regarding his ability to make the Menorah to Hashem’s specifications. Hashem told Moshe to cast the ingot into a fire, and a completed Menorah emerged. The Menorah, therefore, was actually created without human intervention. The Maharal suggests that Moshe fashioned the Menorah, but when he cast it into the fire as part of the…

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Sruly Schnair In Terumah, 5756

“You shall make a table.. you shall cover it with pure gold and you shall make for it a gold crown all around.” (25:23,24)

Rashi contends that the gold crown which surrounded the Shulchan was above the misgeres, molding. In contrast, the crown surrounding the Aron was part of the actual box that projected upward, encircling the top of the Aron. The crown of the Shulchan is called the keser malchus, crown of monarchy. The Shulchan was the medium through which the blessing of nourishment flowed to the world. The golden rim surrounding the upper edge of the Shulchan symbolized the loftiest position of material power in Klal Yisrael — the crown of monarchy. The Aron which contained the Luchos symbolized the Torah, and…

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Sruly Schnair In Terumah, 5756

“And I shall speak with you from atop the cover… that is on the ark of the testimonial tablets… and you shall make a table of shittim (acacia) wood.” (25:22,23)

In a novel exposition, a number of commentators explain the juxtaposition of the Shulchan to the Aron in the following manner. The Shulchan attests to an individual’s integrity and worthiness for Olam Haba. The Shulchan is the symbol of prosperity. It represents the demand upon every Jew to share his material abundance with those less fortunate than he. The Shulchan testifies that its owner has fulfilled his obligation to others. Rabbeinu Bachya cites a custom that was performed by a number of pious individuals in France. They would have their table taken apart in order to build their aron, coffin….

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Sruly Schnair In Terumah, 5756

“Within the rings of the Aron shall remain the poles, they may never be removed from it.” (25:15)

Rashi adds one word, okugk, forever, which according to Horav Yitzchak Goldwasser, Shlita, implies a profound thought. The badim, carrying poles of the Aron Ha’Kodesh, were never to be removed from the Aron. Thus, the badim were an integral part of the Aron. The Leviim who carried the Aron by “the badim” were carrying the actual Aron. There is no distinction between the Aron and its badim; they are one and the same. We may add to this thought. Badim serve as a metaphor for the supporters of the Torah. They can never separate themselves from the Torah which they…

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Sruly Schnair In Terumah, 5756

“This is the portion that you shall take from them: gold, silver and copper … Shoham stones and stones for the settings, for the Eiphod and the Choshen.” (25:3,7)

Various means may be employed to establish the value of a given item. Obviously, not all items have the same value to everyone. Supply and demand increase or decrease the market value of most items. The Torah has its own unique measuring stick for determining the value of an object. Let us explain: The Ohr Ha’Chaim Ha’kadosh questions the sequence for enumerating the various gifts to the Mishkan. The Torah’s arrangement seems to imply that the most valuable item is cited first, followed by the other gifts in order of their decreasing value. After all, the Torah first enumerates the…

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“You shall make a copper laver… and put water there… Now take for yourself choice spices… of it you shall make sacred anointing oil… Take for yourself spices… You shall make it into a spice compound (for the incense)…” (30:18,23,25,34,35)

“Every morning when he cleans the lamps, he shall bring it up in smoke. And when Aharon kindles the lamps in the afternoon he shall bring it up in smoke.” (30:7,8)

“And you shall slaughter the ram and take its blood and put it upon the tip of Aharon’s ear… and upon the thumb of their right hand and upon the big toe of their right foot.” (29:20)

“And you shall bring near to you Aharon your brother and his sons with him, from amongst the Bnei Yisrael, that they minister unto Me.” (28:1)

“And they shall take unto you pure beaten olive oil for the light.” (27:20)

“You shall make a Menorah of pure gold, hammered out shall the Menorah be made… see and make, according to their form which you are shown on the mountain.” (25:31,40)

“You shall make a table.. you shall cover it with pure gold and you shall make for it a gold crown all around.” (25:23,24)

“And I shall speak with you from atop the cover… that is on the ark of the testimonial tablets… and you shall make a table of shittim (acacia) wood.” (25:22,23)

“Within the rings of the Aron shall remain the poles, they may never be removed from it.” (25:15)

“This is the portion that you shall take from them: gold, silver and copper … Shoham stones and stones for the settings, for the Eiphod and the Choshen.” (25:3,7)

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