Join our weekly Peninim on the Torah list!

  • Reset
Category

Back to Home -> 5757 ->


Home -> Pekudei -> 5757

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5757, Pekudei

And Moshe raised up the Mishkan. (40:18)

Sforno explains that Moshe did not raise up the Mishkan in the usual sense. He first hung up the ten Yerios, curtains, which essentially represent the Mishkan. Afterwards, he laid down the Adanim, sockets, and interfaced the Kerashim, wooden beams, with them. Apparently, Moshe either had the Leviim hold up the curtains until the foundation was placed beneath them, or they were suspended miraculously in mid-air. Obviously, this is why no one but Moshe Rabbeinu was able to raise up the Mishkan. The question is why Moshe found it necessary to raise up the Mishkan in this manner. Furthermore, if…

Continue Reading

Home -> Pekudei -> 5756

Sruly Schnair
In 5756, Pekudei

“And they made the holy vestments … as Hashem had commanded Moshe.” (39:1)

The phrase “As Hashem had commanded Moshe,” is written eighteen times in the parsha.  Chazal note the Torah’s emphasis on the people’s strict compliance with Hashem’s command. We may wonder at the significance of this phrase. Can one do other than  “as Hashem commanded”? If one is told to perform a duty in a specific manner, then he should execute said activity in the prescribed manner — as he was told. Is that unreasonable to expect? When we explore the tendencies of human nature, we note that even when people are instructed to do something in a specific manner, when all…

Continue Reading

Home -> Pekudei -> 5756

Sruly Schnair
In 5756, Pekudei

“And they attached the Choshen by its rings to the rings of the Eiphod… the Choshen shall not be loosened from the Eiphod.” (39:21)

We may infer from the pasuk that once the Eiphod and the Choshen were attached, they were to remain that way always. Consequently, Aharon donned a single garment. This is inconsistent with the pasuk in Parashas Tzav (Vayikra 8:7,8), which implies that Aharon put on two separate garments. Horav David Feinstein, Shlita, suggests that in Parashas Tzav the Torah‘s intention was regarding the threads which connect the two garments, whether to be loosened or tightened, so that it fit the Kohen Gadol properly. Horav Feinstein proceeds to expound upon the symbolism between the two garments which were worn as one….

Continue Reading

Home -> Pekudei -> 5753

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5753, Pekudei

“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…

Continue Reading

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,…

Continue Reading

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…

Continue Reading

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…

Continue Reading

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…

Continue Reading

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…

Continue Reading

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,…

Continue Reading

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Join our weekly Peninim on the Torah list!

You have Successfully Subscribed!