B"H
Thursday, 23 Adar 1, 5776 / March 3, 2016 – HAKHEL YEAR
This year, 5776, being a leap year in the Hebrew calendar, we read this Shabbat Parshat Vayakhel. In a non-leap year, we would combine Vayakhel with the next Parsha, Pekudei.
The reason for this is that in a leap year, which consists of thirteen months, we have four additional weeks in the year. Being that we go through the entire Torah in the course of a year, we have to make adjustments to the Torah readings which will vary from a regular year to a leap-year. In a regular year we combine some Parshiot, whereas in a leap year we will read them separately.
This week’s Parsha, Vayakhel, begins; “Vayakhel Moshe” – “Moshe assembled the entire congregation of the people of Israel and said to them, ‘These are the things which G-d commanded…”
The purpose for this assembly was to inform them of G-d’s commandment to build the Mishkan, the Tabernacle, which will serve as a place where G-d’s presence will rest amongst the Jewish people. Moshe tells them that each one should participate and have a hand in the building of the Tabernacle.
Moshe tells them that each one should bring whatever items they have which can be used for the building of the Mishkan. Those who have special talent and can partake in the actual building of the structure and its contents should come forward and also participate in the actual work.
The building of the Mishkan was a collective project in which every person, men, women and children participated. Everyone was equal before G-d in building the House of G-d.
G-d told Moshe to choose his great nephew, Betzalel, of the tribe of Judah, and Oholiav of the tribe of Dan, to take charge of the workings of the Mishkan. In choosing Betzalel and Oholiav, G-d also emphasized that everyone was equal before Him.
The tribe of Judah was considered the supreme tribe. The tribe of Dan was considered the lowest of the tribes. G-d chose Betzalel from Judah and Oholiav from the tribe of Dan to be in charge of the work to show that everyone is equal when it comes to making a dwelling place for G-d.
Each one’s role in life may be different. But together we must all work for the same goal. Each one has their personal mission in life, which together we accomplish our collective mission in this world.
Our sages say, “Who is a wise person? He, who learns from everyone!”
Every person has something unique to offer. Every person has their special mission and responsibility to make this world a better and holier place. Every good deed and act, no matter how small it may seem, makes a big difference.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
B"H
Tuesday, 21 Adar 1, 5776 / March 1, 2016 – HAKHEL YEAR
In last week’s Parsha, Ki Tisa, and again at the beginning of this week’s Parsha, Vayakhel, Moshe reminds the Jewish people of the importance of the mitzvah of observing Shabbat.
In Ki Tisa, G-d tells Moshe, "My Shabbat you shall guard ("Ushmartem") for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the L-rd Who sanctifies you."
In this week’s Parsha, Vayakhel, Moshe tells the people, “Six days work may be done, but the seventh day shall be holy for you, a day of complete rest for G-d.”
Because Moshe is about to tell them, in this Parsha, about the specifics of the building of the Mishkan, he again reminds them that even for such a great mitzvah as the building of the Mishkan, they cannot desecrate the holy day of Shabbat.
Why does the Torah use the expression, "My Shabbat you shall guard"? What is the meaning of "guarding Shabbat"?
Our sages explain this concept with the following parable: A wealthy man bought very expensive material at the fair and gave it to a tailor to make a suit and coat for his son. When the tailor finished the pants, he brought it to the father who proudly gave it to his son.
The boy tried on the new pants, then went out to play. Before long the boy came home crying. He wasn't careful and, as a result, he dirtied and tore his pants. The same thing happened when the tailor brought the vest and jacket.
When the tailor finally brought the coat, the father called his son and said, "You were negligent and damaged the first garments. Please guard this garment, for this coat is all that remains from the expensive cloth which I originally bought!"
The same is with Shabbat. When G-d created the world, everything was perfect. The Torah tells us that when He examined His creation on each of the six days, "G-d saw that it was good." Adam and Eve were created on the sixth day, they were also perfect and resided in Gan Eden - Paradise.
Later on that day, Adam and Eve sinned. Like the story with the boy, their action had such great negative impact that it tarnished all the six days and everything created during those days. The only day which was not affected by their sin was the seventh day - Shabbat, for it had not come yet.
Just like in the story where the father pleads with his son to "guard" the coat, so too, G-d says, "Guard the Shabbat for it is holy". Shabbat is the only day of the week which stayed in its pure original form, so make sure to keep it that way.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
B"H
Tuesday, 21 Adar 1, 5776 / March 1, 2016 – HAKHEL YEAR
In last week’s Parsha, Ki Tisa, and again at the beginning of this week’s Parsha, Vayakhel, Moshe reminds the Jewish people of the importance of the mitzvah of observing Shabbat.
In Ki Tisa, G-d tells Moshe, "My Shabbat you shall guard ("Ushmartem") for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the L-rd Who sanctifies you."
In this week’s Parsha, Vayakhel, Moshe tells the people, “Six days work may be done, but the seventh day shall be holy for you, a day of complete rest for G-d.”
Because Moshe is about to tell them, in this Parsha, about the specifics of the building of the Mishkan, he again reminds them that even for such a great mitzvah as the building of the Mishkan, they cannot desecrate the holy day of Shabbat.
Why does the Torah use the expression, "My Shabbat you shall guard"? What is the meaning of "guarding Shabbat"?
Our sages explain this concept with the following parable: A wealthy man bought very expensive material at the fair and gave it to a tailor to make a suit and coat for his son. When the tailor finished the pants, he brought it to the father who proudly gave it to his son.
The boy tried on the new pants, then went out to play. Before long the boy came home crying. He wasn't careful and, as a result, he dirtied and tore his pants. The same thing happened when the tailor brought the vest and jacket.
When the tailor finally brought the coat, the father called his son and said, "You were negligent and damaged the first garments. Please guard this garment, for this coat is all that remains from the expensive cloth which I originally bought!"
The same is with Shabbat. When G-d created the world, everything was perfect. The Torah tells us that when He examined His creation on each of the six days, "G-d saw that it was good." Adam and Eve were created on the sixth day, they were also perfect and resided in Gan Eden - Paradise.
Later on that day, Adam and Eve sinned. Like the story with the boy, their action had such great negative impact that it tarnished all the six days and everything created during those days. The only day which was not affected by their sin was the seventh day - Shabbat, for it had not come yet.
Just like in the story where the father pleads with his son to "guard" the coat, so too, G-d says, "Guard the Shabbat for it is holy". Shabbat is the only day of the week which stayed in its pure original form, so make sure to keep it that way.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
B"H
Monday, 20 Adar 1, 5776 / February 29, 2016 – HAKHEL YEAR
One of the items in the Mishkan (Tabernacle), mentioned in this week’s Parsha, Vayakhel, was the ark (Aron).
The ark stood in the most sacred place in the Sanctuary, called “Holy of Holies,” which was at the western side of the Mishkan. No one was allowed to enter there, except for the High Priest and only on Yom Kippur in order to perform the special Yom Kippur service there.
The ark was made of three boxes. The outer and inner ones were made of pure gold while the middle one was made of acacia wood. Thus, the wood was completely covered, only the gold was visible.
The ark had four rings - two on each side, through which two poles were housed, with which the ark was carried when they had to travel while in the desert. It took four people to carry the ark.
Carrying the ark was a miracle in itself. The weight of all the gold, especially the cover of the ark, was too heavy for four people to carry. But, as our sages tell us, “It was the ark which carried its carriers.”
Other vessels of the Mishkan also had poles for carrying, yet, the ark was different. The Torah tells us that these poles were never to be removed from the ark. Even when they camped; or even when the permanent Temple in Jerusalem was built, the poles had to stay in their rings, never to be removed.
Q. What is the significance that the carrying poles have to always be together with the ark?
A. The ark, in which the Tablets and the Torah were stored, represents the Torah scholar. The carrying poles represent the business people who support Torah and make it possible for them to teach and study Torah. The reward for those who support Torah is no less then for those who study Torah, for one compliments the other. The future of Judaism depends on the scholar and the supporter. This is why they always have to stay together.
Q. The Holy of Holies was at the western side of the Mishkan and Temple, because G-d’s presence (Shechina) is in the west. Why then do we pray facing east?
A. We pray facing east toward Jerusalem. If someone is on the east side of Jerusalem, they would have to pray to the west.
The fact that G-d’s presence is in the west, is expressed during the Friday night Shabbat Service (Kabalat Shabbat). At one point, when we welcome the Shabbat Queen, we turn around facing west. This is an expression of welcoming the Shechina (Divine presence) which is in the west.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
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