Pekudei – Page 11 – Peninim on the Torah

“And so Moshe finished the work.” (40:33)

The parsha concludes with the final account of the erection of the Mishkan. It mandates the precise placement of the Shulchan, table, the menorah, and the Aron Hakodesh. The entire parsha is a study in detail, providing the exact description of each vessel and the specific verbs used to describe each activity necessary for creating these vessels. Examples include: “and he gave;” “and he placed;” “and he brought;” “and he spread out;” “and he screened.” Horav Moshe Swift, z.l., notes the Torah‘s emphasis on each activity. Every man has his own job to perform. One cannot be a silent…

Home -> Pekudei -> 5753

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5753, Pekudei

“For the cloud of Hashem (was) upon the Mishkan by day and used to be on it (by) night, before the eyes of all the House of Yisrael throughout their journeys.” (40:38)

The importance of the words, “before the eyes of all Yisrael,” is indicated by their placement at the end of Sefer Shemos. Similarly, at the end of Sefer Devarim we find a comparable statement, which concludes the entire Chumash. The emphasis is placed upon the fact that this generation has served as eternal witnesses to attest to Hashem’s wondrous glory to all future generations. Today we view events of the past through the eyes of that generation. Hashem’s power, might, and miracles were demonstrated before a whole nation, not in an isolated place before a select group of witnesses. Consequently,…

Home -> Pekudei -> 5752

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, Pekudei

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

The Ramban explains that the recounting of the details of the Mishkan demonstrates the virtue of those who were involved in its building. Hashem’s love for the Mishkan is obvious. The focal point of the Mishkan was the Kodesh Hakadashim (Holy of Holies). The Aron Hakodesh, which contained the two Luchos, was placed in its center. Thus, we are able to identify the real source of Hashem’s love for the Mishkan as being the Torah. The Midrash describes this love with a beautiful parable. A king, who loved his only daughter very much, married her off to a young prince…

Home -> Pekudei -> 5752

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, Pekudei

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

The Midrash states that the word vkt (these) which begins our parsha, is closely connected with another “vktw” namely “lhvkt vkt ktrah” (These are your Gods O’ Israel). This rebellious statement was uttered by the people who threw themselves at the feet of the Golden-Calf. Although Hashem responded to this uprising with grave measures, Bnei Yisrael were given the opportunity to repent and seek forgiveness. Hashem said to them “With one vkt you angered Me, and with the other vkt you will appease Me.” The shocking crime of the Golden-Calf was forgiven because Bnei Yisrael displayed the same zeal and…

Home -> Pekudei -> 5752

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, Pekudei

And all the work of the Mishkan of the Ohel Moed was completed.” (39:32)

The Midrash states that originally no one was capable of erecting the Mishkan. Betzalel, the prime artisan who so beautifully fashioned the Mishkan, was at a loss. Even Moshe, who was the leader of Am Yisrael and the Mishkan’s initiator, was not capable of raising it up. The Midrash states that this was due to Moshe’s disability as a result of a depression brought on by his exclusion from the work of the Mishkan. We may well be amazed by Moshe’s attitude. Was he envious of Bnei Yisrael? Was he not the one who had pleaded with Hashem on their…

Home -> Pekudei -> 5752

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, Pekudei

“And all the work of the Mishkan of the Ohel Moed was completed; and Bnei Yisrael did according to all that Hashem commanded Moshe, so they did.” (39:32)

The seemingly redundant words, “so they did” actually mean, “precisely they did.” Bnei Yisrael were tested after receiving the Torah at Sinai. At Sinai they had learned the lesson of perfect obedience to Hashem’s word through Moshe, without concern for their own reasoning. The construction of the Mishkan, which encompassed thousands of details almost for which no reason had not been given, demanded an exemplary from of compliance. This type of obeidence was demanded of the many thousands of individuals who had participated, who quite possibly could have substituted many more desirable designs. They never questioned what difference one slight…

Home -> Pekudei -> 5751

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Pekudei

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

After the Mishkan and all its holy vessels were completed, Moshe told the Bnei Yisroel, “Let me present to you an exact account of how I used the materials which you donated.” He then gave a complete reckoning of how he had employed every ounce of gold, silver, and copper which they had contributed. The Midrash explains that Moshe felt it necessary to justify his actions before the Jewish people, since he had overheard remarons concerning his honesty and trustworthiness. It is interesting to note that when the people were summoned to participate in the sin of the Golden Calf,…

Home -> Pekudei -> 5751

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Pekudei

“And Betzalel, the son of Uri, the son of Chur, of the tribe of Yehuda,had made all that Hashem had commanded Moshe. (38:22)

The Midrash explains the Torah‘s reason for citing Betzalel’s grandfather, Chur, when enumerating his lineage. Chur was slain during the incident involving the Golden Calf as a result of his opposition the Calf. The construction of the Mishkan through Chur’s grandson atoned for the guilt of Chur’s death. Betzalel was the recipient of many wonderful family qualities. He was also the great-grandson of Moshe’s sister, Miriam. As a reward for her fear of Hashem which prompted her to disobey Pharoah’s order to murder the Jewish babies, she was blessed with a descendant who knew how and was worthy of building…

Home -> -> Pekudei

ויעשו... כאשר צוה ד' את משה

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Pekudei

And they made… as Hashem had commanded Moshe. (39:1)

The Torah emphasizes the fact that all of the work for the Mishkan was done according to Hashem’s command to Moshe Rabbeinu. This means that they followed the word of G-d to a “T.” One wonders concerning the superfluity of this statement. Is there a question for one moment that Hashem’s instructions would not be followed to the most minute detail? What, then, is the meaning of underscoring the people’s adherence to Hashem’s command to Moshe? Horav Meir Rubman, zl, derives a powerful lesson from here. Being Jewish means being completely, totally and unequivocally Jewish. “Almost” – “just about” –…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> 5753 ->

“And so Moshe finished the work.” (40:33)

“For the cloud of Hashem (was) upon the Mishkan by day and used to be on it (by) night, before the eyes of all the House of Yisrael throughout their journeys.” (40:38)

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

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

And all the work of the Mishkan of the Ohel Moed was completed.” (39:32)

“And all the work of the Mishkan of the Ohel Moed was completed; and Bnei Yisrael did according to all that Hashem commanded Moshe, so they did.” (39:32)

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

“And Betzalel, the son of Uri, the son of Chur, of the tribe of Yehuda,had made all that Hashem had commanded Moshe. (38:22)

ויעשו... כאשר צוה ד' את משה

And they made… as Hashem had commanded Moshe. (39:1)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!