B"H
Thursday, 30 Adar 1, 5776 / March 10, 2016 – HAKHEL YEAR
Today is the first day Rosh Chodesh Adar 2.
Our sages tell us that the month of Adar is a very happy month for our people. As mentioned previously, this year is a leap year, in which we have two months of Adar, thus, we should have and enjoy a double measure of simcha – happiness.
This week’s Parsha, Pekudei, is about the finishing of the Mishkan and its contents. The Torah tells us in great detail, how the people, after they finished the Mishkan, brought all the items to Moshe and how he assembled the Mishkan and put it up.
The weight of the walls of the Mishkan was beyond the ability for one person to hold up, yet, Moshe himself put up the Mishkan.
Why did G-d want Moshe to put it up by himself? Because Moshe didn’t take part in any of the construction of the Mishkan. Thus, G-d gave him the opportunity to be part of this mitzvah and to perform the task of putting up the Mishkan.
But Moshe said to G-d, “How can one person attempt to accomplish this?” G-d replied, “You do what you are told to do. You put your hands to it and I will do the rest.” When Moshe finished putting up the Mishkan, a cloud covered the Mishkan and G-d’s presence filled the Mishkan.
There is a lesson in this for all of us. When facing a challenge. G-d wants us to do what we can. The rest He will accomplish.
Every Jew had a part in the Mishkan because everyone contributed toward the building of the Mishkan. In addition, the craftsmen and women who were artistic were involved in the workings of the Mshkan. Moshe only put it all together at the very end.
Q.Why didn’t Moshe contribute toward the Mishkan like everyone else?
A.The Mishkan, through which G-d rested amongst the Jewish people, was proof that He forgave them the sin of the Golden Calf. The contributions for the Mishkan were an atonement for that sin. Every person there at the time was affected by this sin. Even those who didn’t actually worship the Golden Calf themselves, were responsible for not protesting against the actions of those who did. Aaron had a hand in the making of the Golden Calf, despite his good intentions, in order to slow the process so that in the meantime Moshe would be back, still, it was through his actions that the Golden Calf came about.
Moshe was the only onewho had no connection whatsoever to the Golden Calf, as he was on Mount Sinai, while all this took place down below. This is why Moshe, who didn’t need atonment for this sin, was told to take contributions from the people, but not to give himself. Yet, G-d wanted to give Moshe a share in this great mitzvah. He gave him the honor of putting it all together.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & CHODESH-MONTH