5755

“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…

Home -> Vayakhel -> 5755

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…

Home -> Vayakhel -> 5755

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…

Home -> Vayakhel -> 5755

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.”…

Home -> Vayakhel -> 5755

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Vayakhel

“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…

Home -> Vayakhel -> 5755

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Vayakhel

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

The Daas Zekeinim indicates that Moshe originally believed that he would be the one to build the Mishkan. Hashem told Moshe that, on the contrary, Betzalel was a more suitable candidate to build it. It was Betzalel’s grandfather, Chur, who had sacrificed his life attempting to dissuade Bnei Yisrael from making the Golden Calf. The Mishkan serves as an atonement for the sin of the Golden Calf. Therefore, it is appropriate for the grandson of the individual who gave up his life fighting against that sin to be the one to build the Mishkan. This atonement is, indeed, different from…

Home -> Vayakhel -> 5755

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Vayakhel

“And the entire congregation of Bnei Yisrael left Moshe’s presence. Each person who was ready to volunteer then came forward. And everyone who wanted to give brought a donation to Hashem for the making of the Ohel Moed, for all its labor and for the sacred vestments.”(35:20,21)

There seems to be a disparity between the “entire congregation” — which left Moshe’s presence — and “each person” — who volunteered to donate for the Mishkan. What happened to everyone who left Moshe’s appeal excited and enthusiastic, ready to respond? When Moshe spoke, the entire Klal Yisrael listened eagerly. When it came time to send in their donations, however, only the truly committed actually responded. Regrettably, as the Chida notes, there is a chasm between listening and committing oneself. What initially excites the person does not always translate into serious contribution. At times the disparity between intent and implementation…

Home -> Vayakhel -> 5755

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Vayakhel

“And Moshe assembled all the congregation of Bnei Yisrael and he said unto them, ‘These (are) the words (things) that Hashem has commanded that you should do them. Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day (there) shall be to you a holy (day).'” (35:1,2)

Moshe gathered all of Klal Yisrael together and commenced his speech, declaring, “These are the words (things) that Hashem has commanded that you should do them.” Moshe, however, followed his announcement of what the people should do with the exhortation concerning the laws of Shabbos, which are clearly things they should not do. How do we reconcile this seeming inconsistency in the text? In response to this question, Horav Simcha Z. Broide, Shlita, cites the Yalkut Shimoni that attributes a different meaning to these pesukim. The Yalkut states: Hashem said to Moshe, “Make for yourself great congregations and study before…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

YEARS

“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 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)

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

“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)

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

“And the entire congregation of Bnei Yisrael left Moshe’s presence. Each person who was ready to volunteer then came forward. And everyone who wanted to give brought a donation to Hashem for the making of the Ohel Moed, for all its labor and for the sacred vestments.”(35:20,21)

“And Moshe assembled all the congregation of Bnei Yisrael and he said unto them, ‘These (are) the words (things) that Hashem has commanded that you should do them. Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day (there) shall be to you a holy (day).'” (35:1,2)

BOOK OF BEREISHIS

BOOK OF SHEMOS

BOOK OF VAYIKRAH

BOOK OF BAMIDBAR

BOOK OF DEVARIM

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!