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מקבץ נדחי עמו ישראל

Mekabeitz nidchei Amo Yisrael. Who gathers the dispersed of His People Yisrael.

Three elements are to be discerned in this brachah. It begins with Teka b’shofar which shall proclaim to the nations, commanding them to set free the Jewish people and allow them to liberate their Land. Following this, a banner will be raised for all that long for redemption. This is now possible because the nations have been given the “message” via the blast of the great shofar. The opportunity for return is now available for all who seek it. Last, the opportunity is available for all of the lost Jews who have strayed due to ignorance, who, through no fault…

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ביום החדש הראשון באחד לחדש תקים את משכן אהל מועד

On the first day of the new moon, on the first day of the month, you shall set up the Mishkan of the Ohel Moed. (40:1,2)

Chazal (Yalkut Melachim 184) teach that the work of constructing the parts of the Mishkan actually concluded on Kislev 25, but Hashem delayed its completion until the month of Nissan – the month in which Yitzchak Avinu was born. What is the significance of the date of Kislev 25 as the date on which the Mishkan was ready? Why did they delay until Rosh Chodesh Nissan to use the Mishkan? Last, what role does Yitzchak play vis-à-vis the implementation of the Mishkan? The Zera Shimshon quotes Rabbeinu Bachya (Pikudei 21) who says that the construction of the Mishkan corresponded to…

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אשר צוה ד' את משה

As Hashem commanded Moshe. (38:22)

Nineteen times (actually eighteen, with a slight deviation in the nineteenth), the Torah makes a point of emphasizing the peoples’ dedication to prepare the Mishkan and all of its appurtenances in accordance with Hashem’s command, as conveyed through Moshe Rabbeinu. This teaches us, explains Horav Mordechai Illan, zl, that, even concerning the Mishkan, which is totally imbued with Hashem’s Presence and is the essence of kedushah, sanctity, it is possible to be penetrated with a machasheves pigal, an unacceptable, deviated thought, as was evinced with the construction of the eigal ha’zahav, Golden Calf, so close following the Giving of the…

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קחו מאתכם תרומה לה'

Take from yourselves a terumah, portion, for Hashem. (35:5)

What is the meaning of Kechu me’itchem, “Take from yourselves?” From whom else should they take, if not from themselves? The sefer, Torei Zahav, offers an insightful interpretation of this phrase. One who is about to offer a terumah, portion, to Hashem; i.e., one who wants to determine the best medium, the strongest motivation, for serving Hashem, should take from himself. He should study his own life experiences and ask himself, “I receive so much from Hashem. I owe Him everything. I should serve Him in a manner that shows that I know, I care, I am thankful.” The author…

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