Vayakhel – Page 8 – Peninim on the Torah

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

Every time the Torah details Betzalel’s pedigree, it goes back two generations to his grandfather, Chur. Apparently, Chur played an important role in molding Betzalel’s perspective on life. Indeed, it was probably because he had descended from Chur that Betzalel was selected to build the Mishkan. Only a very special individual, one whose devotion to Hashem had been exemplary, would undertake this unprecedented endeavor. Chur was the individual who challenged the erev rav, mixed multitude, when they rebelled against Hashem to build the Golden Calf. He was killed for his devotion. His spirit of mesiras nefesh, self-sacrifice, remained alive in…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5759, Vayakhel

Take from yourselves a portion for Hashem, everyone whose heart motivates him shall bring it, as a gift for Hashem. (35:5)

In recognizing the contributions towards the Mishkan of the dor ha’midbar, generation of the wilderness, the Torah uses the phrase nedivus ha’lev, donations of the heart. What is a donation of the heart? Ibn Ezra notes two variances in the Torah’s idiom regarding Klal Yisrael’s contribution. Hashem commanded them, “Kechu me’itchem,” “Take from yourselves.” To “take” is the opposite of to “give.” Placing the prefix “mem” (meitchem) before a word changes its meaning. Thus, “Kechu me’itchem” has the same meaning as “Tenu,” give. Why did the Torah express this idea in such an awkward manner? Second, what is the meaning…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5759, Vayakhel

The Nesiim brought the shoham stones and the stones for the settings for the Eiphod and the choshen. (35:27)

The Nesiim were the princes, or leaders, of every tribe. Rashi cites the Midrash which notes the word Nesiim is spelled in Hebrew without the two “yudin” that it would normally have. This defective spelling was deliberate – as a punishment for their not bringing their contributions together with everyone else. They had waited to see what would be lacking, so that they would fill the deficit. To their surprise and chagrin, the national response was so overwhelming that there was almost nothing left for them to give. Chazal note a taint of laziness on their part which caused their…

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Moshe Marcovich In 5758, Vayakhel

These are the things that Hashem has commanded, to do them…on six days, work may be done, but the seventh day shall be holy. (35:1,2)

The Torah introduces the laws regarding the building of the Mishkan with an admonition to observe Shabbos. Rashi notes the juxtaposition of these laws and infers that building the Mishkan does not override the observance of Shabbos. Abarbanel explains that since building the Mishkan is a symbol of the strong bond that exists between Hashem and Klal Yisrael, one might think that it should take precedence over everything, even Shabbos. After all, action is a positive expression of our love and commitment to Hashem. Should it not have preeminence over the observance of Shabbos, which represents a cessation from action? …

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Moshe Marcovich In 5758, Vayakhel

Moshe assembled the entire assembly of the Bnei Yisrael. (35:1)

Moshe Rabbeinu gathered together the entire nation for the specific purpose of instructing them regarding the building of the Mishkan. Horav Baruch Sorotzkin, zl, observes that the power of certain mitzvos is catalyzed by their acceptance and performance by the tzibbur, entire community. There are other mitzvos that attain validity even if only one person observes and fulfills them. The mitzvah of building the Mishkan, the place where the Shechinah will repose, the source of Klal Yisrael’s kedushah and taharah, holiness and purity, is one that must involve the entire Jewish People. No individual, regardless of his ability to…

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Moshe Marcovich In 5758, Vayakhel

Every man and woman whose heart motivated them to bring for any of the work…the Bnei Yisrael brought a free-willed offering to Hashem. (35:29)

If we read the text carefully, we note a redundancy. If “every man and woman” contributed towards the Mishkan, why is it necessary to reiterate that “Bnei Yisrael brought a free-willed offering”? Are not the “men and women” included in “Bnei Yisrael”? Horav Mordechai Rogov, zl, observes that many individuals who support Torah institutions and sustain those in need have themselves been educated in Torah institutions which stress the value of tzedakah. People contribute to those organizations with which they identify. When they see the importance of an institution or an endeavor, they support it. One who has been…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Vayakhel

“Moshe commanded that they proclaim throughout the camp, saying, ‘Man and woman shall do no more work towards the gift of the Sanctuary’ and the people were restrained from bringing.” (36:6)

Why did the people cease to bring donations for the Mishkan? The command was only that the people should stop building the Mishkan. Who mentioned money? Rav Shalom, the Admor M’Belz, zl, suggests a practical explanation. When people are involved in a davar she’bikdushah, holy endeavor, the spirit of sanctity and the desire to give more and more tzeddakah is overwhelming. As long as one is engaged, the mitzvah captivates him, inspiring him to contribute time, effort and money towards achieving its goal. Indeed, it is highly unlikely that one who is totally involved in a Torah endeavor will refrain…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Vayakhel

“The princes brought the Shoham stones and the stones for the settings for the Eiphod and the Choshen.” (35:27)

As soon as the nesiim heard that Hashem had commanded Moshe to build a Mishkan, they offered to supply all of the materials necessary for constructing this edifice. They believed that Hashem would rather repose in a Mishkan built of their donations than one constructed with the gifts of Klal Yisrael. First, they were not involved in the sin of the Golden Calf, as the other Jews were. Second, their motivation was pure and unblemished; they would contribute with a pure heart since they were outstanding in their wisdom and character. They believed that a Mishkan built with their contributions…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Vayakhel

“Every man and woman whose heart motivated them to bring… the Bnei Yisrael brought a free-willed offering to Hashem.” (35:29)

This pasuk seems ambiguous. It begins by stating that every man and woman contributed toward the Mishkan and ends by saying that all Bnei Yisrael contributed. Why is there a change in the text? Does the Torah seek to convey a secret message? Horav Gavriel Ze’ev Margolis, zl, suggests that the Torah implies a fundamental lesson for parents. If we want our children to grow up as committed Jews, we must train them as such. Being an observant Jew is no different than any other endeavor – it takes training. What better time to educate a person than when he…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Vayakhel

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

Chur protested the creation of the Golden Calf; he was killed. One might think that his ill-fated protest accomplished nothing. Had he been quiet, he would have remained alive. This has always been the excuse of those who choose the path of indifference. They shy away from any controversy, regardless of how it demeans the Torah and its adherents. Horav Elyakim Schlesinger, Shlita, cites the Midrash which states that Betzalel was selected as chief artisan of the Mishkan specifically because his grandfather, Chur, sacrificed his life for Torah ideals. This is the underlying meaning of the word, “See.” Take a…

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

Take from yourselves a portion for Hashem, everyone whose heart motivates him shall bring it, as a gift for Hashem. (35:5)

The Nesiim brought the shoham stones and the stones for the settings for the Eiphod and the choshen. (35:27)

These are the things that Hashem has commanded, to do them…on six days, work may be done, but the seventh day shall be holy. (35:1,2)

Moshe assembled the entire assembly of the Bnei Yisrael. (35:1)

Every man and woman whose heart motivated them to bring for any of the work…the Bnei Yisrael brought a free-willed offering to Hashem. (35:29)

“Moshe commanded that they proclaim throughout the camp, saying, ‘Man and woman shall do no more work towards the gift of the Sanctuary’ and the people were restrained from bringing.” (36:6)

“The princes brought the Shoham stones and the stones for the settings for the Eiphod and the Choshen.” (35:27)

“Every man and woman whose heart motivated them to bring… the Bnei Yisrael brought a free-willed offering to Hashem.” (35:29)

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

YEARS

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