Holy Ark – Peninim on the Torah

אלה פקודי המשכן משכן העדת

“These are the reckonings of the Mishkan, the Tabernacle of Testimony.” (38:21)

Lecha Hashem ha’gedulah…, “Yours, Hashem, is the greatness, the strength, the splendor, the triumph, and the glory, even everything in Heaven and earth” (Divrei HaYamim I, 29:11). In Midrash Tanchuma, Chazal suggest that this pasuk – which we recite daily in the Va’yivarech David prayer – alludes to the fact that the building of the Mishkan had a profound relationship with the creation of Heaven and earth. Horav Nissan Alpert, z.l., renders a penetrating interpretation of this Midrash, which we take the liberty of citing. On the First Day of Creation, Hashem created Shomayim va’aretz, “Heaven and earth.” This creation…

Home -> 5762 -> Terumah

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Terumah, 5762

“They shall make an Ark.” (25:10)

The use of the plural “they” implies that Hashem’s command to make an Aron is directed towards the entire nation. Notably, this is the only instance where we find the command given in the plural; the rest of the chapter is in the singular. Chazal derive from here that everyone should be involved and, therefore, deserves a share in the Aron HaKodesh, Holy Ark, the symbol of Torah. The other vessels can be made by individuals. In order to bequeath Torah to the entire nation, it is incumbent that everybody be involved in the making of the Aron. What about the…

Home -> Bamidbar -> 5776

ולא יבואו לראות כבלע את הקדש ומתו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5776, Bamidbar

But they shall not come and look as the holy is inserted, lest they die. (4:20)

Bnei Kehas were blessed to be participants in a very auspicious service: transporting the holy vessels which include the Aron Hakodesh, Holy Ark. One who works with nitroglycerine cannot take any chance. His every movement must be precise and organized. Thus, great care was exerted to see to it that Bnei Kehas approached their service in the Mishkan in the most orderly manner. It is forbidden for anyone other than a Kohen to gaze upon the holiest vessels in their uncovered state. Thus, the Kohanim were given the sole responsibility of inserting these items into their wrapping prior to their…

Home -> 5777 -> Terumah

מקשה תיעשה המנורה

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Terumah, 5777

Hammered out shall the Menorah be made. (25:31)

The Menorah consisted of a number of shapes and forms, all of which were hammered out from one large ingot of gold. Nothing was made separately and attached. The Midrash relates that Moshe Rebbeinu had great difficulty in creating the Menorah. He could not visualize the finished product. Hashem went as far as to show him a Menorah made of fire. Still, Moshe felt uncertain concerning making the Menorah in accordance with Hashem’s plan. It was then that Hashem instructed Moshe to fling the ingot into a fire, such that a completed Menorah miraculously emerged. In other words, the Menorah…

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אלה פקודי המשכן משכן העדת

“These are the reckonings of the Mishkan, the Tabernacle of Testimony.” (38:21)

“They shall make an Ark.” (25:10)

ולא יבואו לראות כבלע את הקדש ומתו

But they shall not come and look as the holy is inserted, lest they die. (4:20)

מקשה תיעשה המנורה

Hammered out shall the Menorah be made. (25:31)

YEARS

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