Vayakhel – Page 9 – Peninim on the Torah

“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

“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

“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

“And you shall clothe Aharon with the holy garments and you shall anoint him and sanctify him… and his sons you shall bring near and you shall clothe them…. and you shall anoint them as you anointed Aharon their father.” (40:13 -15)

What is the meaning of “anointing” Aharon’s sons,“as you anointed Aharon their father“? Isn’t this statement superfluous, or is there a hidden message to be gleaned from these words? Horav Mordechai Rogov z.l. suggests the following homiletic rendering of the pasuk. In Parashas Beshalach (Shemos 15:2) the Torah states, “This is my G-d and I will glorify Him.” This statement, which was proclaimed by Moshe and Bnei Yisrael as they sang Shirah to Hashem, has served as a source of instruction in the correct manner in which to perform avodas Hashem, to serve the Almighty. What is the meaning of…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Vayakhel

“And it came to pass, in the first month, in the second year, on the first day of the month, the Mishkan was set up.” (40:17)

The Midrash Tanchuma states that the Mishkan was essentially completed months before the date mentioned in the Torah. Hashem, however, chose to delay the “official” establishment of the Mishkan until this date because it coincided with the date Yitzchak Avinu was born. This Midrash is perplexing! Why did Hashem specifically choose to integrate the joy of Hakomas ha’Mishkan with the birth of Yitzchak Avinu? Horav Elimelech Moller, Shlita, offers an insightful explanation for this. He cites Rabbeinu Yonah, who writes that one who is truly botei’ach, trusting in Hashem, will believe that his salvation will emerge even from the brink…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5753, Vayakhel

“And the stuff they had was “sufficient” for all the work to make it with some “left over.” (36:7)

The text of this pasuk seems enigmatic. The word “sufficient” implies an accounting of materials for a precise purpose, for which an accurate amount is necessary. “Left over,” on the other hand, denotes a surplus of these materials. Horav M. Shapiro, z.l., offers a novel approach to resolving this apparent “contradiction.” Every Jew contributed towards the Mishkan, each according to his own means. Some individuals wanted to donate more than their resources permitted, but were not allowed to do so. There were also probably individuals who had procrastinated, intending to give more before the call came to cease the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, Vayakhel

“And all of the congregation of Bnei Yisrael went out from before Moshe (35:20)

The Or Hachaim questions the apparent redundancy in mentioning from where the Bnei Yisrael departed. Is it not obvious that since Moshe had assembled Bnei Yisrael for a specific purpose, upon completion of his speech they would leave from “before Moshe”? The Alter of Kelm Z”l answers this question insightfully. When Bnei Yisrael left Moshe’s study hall after listening to a lecture from their great teacher, it was apparent from where they had come, and from whom they had heard words of Torah. Moshe’s students did not reflect his teaching only in his presence. Their essence was permeated by their…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, Vayakhel

“See, Hashem has called the name of Betzalel the son of Uri, the son of Chur, of the tribe of Yehudah.” – “And also the gift of teaching He has put in his heart, both he and Ahliav, the son of Achisamach, of the tribe of Dan.” (35:34)

The Midrash takes note of the various “partnerships” involved in the making of both the Mishkan and the Bais Hamikdash. Regarding the Mishkan it is stated that Betzalel of the tribe of Yehudah and Ahaliav of the tribe of Dan were the ones who spearheaded the work. The Bais Hamikdash was also built by individuals who descended from these respective tribes, such as Shlomo Hamelech of the tribe of Yehudah and the son of a widow from the tribe of Dan. The Midrash points out the significance of using an artisan who was a member of he tribe of Yehudah…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, Vayakhel

“And the bringing of the materials was enough for all the work that was to be done, and more than enough.” (36:7)

Upon reading this pasuk, one is confronted with an apparent contradiction. Initially we are told that the bringing of the materials was “enough,” implying that the people brought whatever was necessary to build the Mishkan, but not more than that. Then, immediately the pasuk concluded with “and more than enough.” To paraphrase the words of the Or Hachayim – If it was enough it was not extra; if it was extra, it was it was not enough! He offers the following resolution. The Torah is informing us of the unbounded love that Hashem has for Bnei Yisrael. Due to the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, Vayakhel

“And he made the laver of copper… out of the mirrors of the assembled women who assembled at the entrance of the Ohel Moed.” (38:8)

The word vag (to make) is defined as an action which carries out an idea in material or substance appropriate to that idea. Therefore, the making of the laver, its specific shape, and the nature of the materials out of which it was made, were designated to be inherent parts of its symbolic value. It is deeply significant that the vessel of the Mishkan which was to represent the concept of the preservation of the moral purity of one’s efforts, ohkdru ohsh aushe – the laver was used to wash the hands and feet of the Kohanim prior to their…

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“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)

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

“And you shall clothe Aharon with the holy garments and you shall anoint him and sanctify him… and his sons you shall bring near and you shall clothe them…. and you shall anoint them as you anointed Aharon their father.” (40:13 -15)

“And it came to pass, in the first month, in the second year, on the first day of the month, the Mishkan was set up.” (40:17)

“And the stuff they had was “sufficient” for all the work to make it with some “left over.” (36:7)

“And all of the congregation of Bnei Yisrael went out from before Moshe (35:20)

“See, Hashem has called the name of Betzalel the son of Uri, the son of Chur, of the tribe of Yehudah.” – “And also the gift of teaching He has put in his heart, both he and Ahliav, the son of Achisamach, of the tribe of Dan.” (35:34)

“And the bringing of the materials was enough for all the work that was to be done, and more than enough.” (36:7)

“And he made the laver of copper… out of the mirrors of the assembled women who assembled at the entrance of the Ohel Moed.” (38:8)

YEARS

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