B"H

Tuesday, Adar1 21, 5782 / February 22, 2022

This week’s Parsha, Vayakhel, is all about the building of the Mishkan (Tabernacle).  The Parsha gives a detailed accounting of everything that was needed and collected for the construction of the Mishkan and what was done with it.

Yet, the very beginning of the Parsha is about the observance of Shabbat; “And Moshe gathered the entire community of the children of Israel and said to them, ‘These are the things which G-d commanded to be done.  Six days work may be done, but the seventh day should be holy for you, a day of complete rest to G-d.”  Then Moshe proceeds to tell the people about the construction of the Mishkan.

Q.   Why is the observance of Shabbat mentioned here in connection with the building of the Sanctuary when G-d had already commanded about Shabbat in the Ten Commandments?

A.   Moshe tells the people about the mitzvah of observing Shabbat in order to stress to them that even for the purpose of constructing the Holy Temple, a House for G-d, Shabbat may not be desecrated and the building of the Mishkan was not done on Shabbat.

Q.   On what day did this gathering take place?

A.  The day after Yom Kippur. On Yom Kippur, Moshe came down from Mount Sinai with the Second Tablets.  One day later he told them about the building of the Mishkan.

Q.   In the previous Parsha, Ki Tisa, G-d commanded Moshe about the building of the Mishkan first, and then about Shabbat.  Yet, in this Parsha, when Moshe relates G-d’s instructions to the people, he reverses the order, beginning with the observance of Shabbat and then about constructing the Mishkan.

A.   G-d’s instruction to build for Him a sanctuary, where He will dwell amongst the Jewish people, was a sign that their sin of worshipping the Golden Calf, was forgiven.  Thus, the Mishkan attests to the merit and importance of the Jewish people in G-d’s eyes. The observance of Shabbat attests to the greatness of G-d, that He created the world in six days and rested on the seventh day.

G-d mentioned first about the building of the Mishkan to show His love for the Jewish people, for the Mishkan symbolizes G-d’s forgiveness to them.  But Moshe spoke first about observing the Shabbat, for this is about G-d’s greatness, attesting to the fact that He created the world in six days and rested on the seventh.

Q.  Speaking of Shabbat:  Why is it customary to eat fish on Shabbat?

A.  Shabbat is the seventh day of the week. The numerical value of Dag (fish in Hebrew), is seven (4+3= 7). Every Jewish custom and tradition is rooted in Torah.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

B"H

Thursday, Adar1 23, 5782 / February 24, 2022

In this week's Parsha, Vayakhel, the Torah states the various materials which the Jewish people contributed for the construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and its inner contents. 

They contributed so quickly and generosly that the craftsmen said to Moshe, "The people are bringing much more than is needed."  As a result, only three days after Moshe told them to donate, he had an announcement made that, "No man or woman shall donate any more for the sanctuary."

Moshe said to them, "See G-d has called by nameBetzalelthe son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Yehudah.  And He has filled him with the spirit of G-d with wisdom, understanding and knowledge, to devise skillful works, to work in gold, silver, brass and cutting stone for setting and in carving wood to work in all skillful workmanship."  Together with Betzalel, G-d appointed Oholiav of the tribe of Dan.

The Midrash states, “Every word in the Torah is exact, nothing is extra. Yet, here the words ‘by name’ seem extra.  Moshe should have said, ‘G-d has called Betzalel’” 

The Midrash explains, that with the words "by name" the Torah tells us why Betzalel was appointed to head the construction of the Mishkan.  He was chosen because of the "good name" which he had earned for himself through the many good deeds which he had performed.

The Midrash continues: There are various names which a person has; one is the name which the parents give them; another is the name which other people may call them; and the third is the good name which the person acquires as a result of his/her good deeds.

"The most important name of all," says the Midrash, "is the one acquired as a result of being kind, performing mitzvot and good deeds."

King Solomon said, "A good name is better than good oil."  Our sages explain it as follows:

"The fragrance of good oil can only spread its aroma a short distance, while a good name carries from one end of the world to the other. A fragrant oil lasts only for a while, but a good name lasts for generations. Good oil can be acquired only by the rich, while a good name can be earned by everyone.  Good oil can only benefit one who is alive, but a good name is beneficial even after a person leaves this world.  Good oil can be destroyed by the elements, while a good name is indestructible."

In the fourth chapter of Pirkei Avot, the Talmudic sage Rabbi Shimon says, "There are three crowns; the crown of Torah; the crown of priesthood (Kehuna) and the crown of kingship (Malchut); but the crown of a good name surpasses them all."

Our sages emphasize the importance of being generous, kind and performing good deeds during one's lifetime, for they help us acquire the crown of a good name which is everlasting.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

B"H

Friday, Adar1 24, 5782 / February 25, 2022

This Shabbat we read from two Torahs. In the first Torah we will read the regular Shabbat Torah portion, Parshat Vayakhel. In the second Torah we will read the beginning of last week’s Parsha, Ki Tisa, about the half shekel which G-d commanded the Jewish people to contribute toward the building of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Due to this reading this Shabbat is called, Shabbat Shekalim.

Our sages say that when G-d told Moshe about the contribution of the half shekel, G-d showed Moshe a "coin of fire" and told him, "This they shall give".  

Q.  What is the significance of G-d showing Moshe a "coin of fire" and saying "this they shall give?"

A.  The sages explain: the purpose of giving the "half-shekel" was, as the Torah says, “an atonement for the soul.” The half shekel was so that G-d will forgive the Jewish people for their sin of the Golden Calf. But Moshe couldn’t understand how such a small sum of a half shekel will be enough to forgive for such a grave sin as worshiping the Golden Calf?  

By showing Moshe a "coin of fire" G-d implied that the giving should be with fire, feeling, and compassion. It is not the amount which counts, but the FIRE and enthusiasm with which it is given.    

The story is told of a flagman in Russia, whose job it was to wave a lantern at the approaching trains to signal it to stop.  One night there was a tragic accident, the train did not stop.  The flagman was brought to court for interrogation. 

The judge questioned him: “Were you at the train tracks at 10:00 P.M. Thursday night?”

“Yes, your Honor”, replied the flagman.

“Did you see the train approaching”, inquired the judge.

“Yes your Honor”, answered the flagman.

“Did you wave the lantern”, the judge asked.

“Yes, your Honor,” was the response.  The flagman was pronounced not guilty.

However, there was one question the judge forgot to ask.   “Was the lantern lit?”  For without the light, the lantern was totally useless in the dark.   

This is the lesson of the fiery half-shekel.  We must infuse our good deeds, charity and mitzvot, with fire, warmth and enthusiasm.  That is what makes all the difference.

SHABBAT  SHALOM - HAVE A GREAT, WARM & ENTHUSIASTIC SHABBAT

Montreal candle lighting time: 5:18 / Shabbat ends: 6:21