Tuesday, Adar 18, 5785 / March 18, 2025
B"H
Tuesday, Adar 18, 5785 / March 18, 2025
This week’s Parsha, Vayakhel and next week’s Parsha, Pekudei, (which in some years are read together), tell in great detail about the items which the people donated for the Mishkan-Tabernacle and how they were used to construct the Mishkan and all of its contents. These two Parshiot are mostly a repeat of the two Parshiot, Terumah and Tetzaveh, which we read a few weeks ago.
Q. What’s the connection between this Parsha, and the previous Parsha, Ki Tisa?
A. In the previous Parsha, Ki Tisa, we read the Story of the Golden Calf, the breaking of the Tablets as a result; Moshe’s prayers for G-d’s forgiveness and Moshe coming down with the Second Tablets on Yom Kippur.
This week’s Parsha, Vayakhel, begins with Moshe gathering the entire congregation and telling them about the donations and construction of the Mishkan. This gathering took place one day after Yom Kippur, the day in which G-d forgave the people for their sin of the Golden Calf. Thus, this Parsha is connected with the previous Parsha because the building of the Mishkan was a result of G-d’s forgiveness for the sin of the Golden Calf and to show them and the world that He forgave them.
Q. Every word, indeed, every letter, in the Torah is precise. Why is the story of the building of the Mishkan, G-d’s sanctuary and dwelling place, repeated in such great length in the Torah?
A. As mentioned, the building of the Mishkan was a sign of G-d’s forgiveness for the gravest sin committed by the Jewish people - the sin of worshipping the Golden Calf. The Mishkan is called, “Mishkan Ha’eidut” – “The Mishkan of Testimony.” It served as testimony that G-d forgave them for the sin of the Golden Calf. In order to prove that this sin was forgiven and show that His love for the Jewish people did not waver, G-d instructed Moshe to write about the Mishkan, in great length in the Torah.
Q. Moshe’s nephew, Betzalel, was in charge of the building of the Mishkan; The Torah says, “And Betzalel, son of Uri, son of Chur of the tribe of Yehuda, had made all that G-d had commanded Moshe.” How old was Betzalel when he took charge of building the Mishkan?
A. Betzalel was only thirteen years old when he built the Mishkan!
Q. The Mishkan was extremely heavy. How many people did it take to assemble it and put it up?
A. Moshe assembled and put it up by himself! This was a miracle in itself, for the weight of each of the beams of the Mishkan was beyond the capability of one person to lift. Moshe said to G-d, “How could one person erect it?” G-d said to Moshe, “You just put your hands to it and it will rise by itself.”
Lesson:Many times, G-d wants us to make the effort.. and then He takes care of the rest.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
OUR HEARTS ARE WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY - MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW
Monday, Adar 17, 5785 / March 17, 2025
B"H
Monday, Adar 17, 5785 / March 17, 2025
In the beginning of this week’s Parsha, Vayakhel, Moshe gathered the entire congregation to inform them about the contributions and the work for the Mishkan-Tabernacle.
First he began with the commandment of observing Shabbat. The Parsha begins, “And Moshe assembled the entire congregation and said to them, ‘These are the things which G-d commanded to be done, Six days you may work, but the seventh day should be holy to you, a day of complete rest to G-d.’” Then Moshe continues describing the details of the Mishkan.
Q. Moshe wants to tell the people to rest on Shabbat, why does he begin, “Six days you may work”?
A. Moshe wanted to impress upon them that not only resting on Shabbat is because G-d commanded us, but even the work we do during the six working days, is also because G-d told us to work. During the six working days we also have to conduct our work and business according to G-d’s wishes; with integrity, with honesty and contribute to charity as prescribed by the laws of the Torah.
Q. One of the mitzvot which apply every day, except Shabbat and holidays, is the mitzvah of Tefillin which we place on the arm and head. Why don’t we wear the Tefillin on Shabbat and Yom Tov?
A. The Tefillin serve as a sign that G-d took us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Shabbat and holidays are also called a “sign,” between the Jewish people and G-d. Being that Shabbat and Yom Tov are already a sign that G-d liberated us from Egyptian bondage, we don’t need the sign of the Tefillin.
Q. One of the foods which are customary to eat on Shabbat is fish. Why?
A. Fish in Hebrew is “Dag.” The numerical value of the word “dag” is seven, which represents the seventh day of the week – Shabbat.
Also, eating fish on Shabbat represents a triple blessing. Here is how; The Torah tells us that, on the fifth day of creation, when fish were created, G-d gave them a special blessing; “And G-d blessed them saying, ‘Be fruitful and multiply.’” (Gen. 1:22). Later when G-d created Adam and Eve he gave them also a special blessing, “And G-d blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply.” (Gen. 1:28). The day of Shabbat also has a very special blessing; “And G-d blessed the seventh day.” (Gen. 2:3).
Thus, when we eat fish on Shabbat we combine the three special blessings to fish, mankind, & Shabbat. A triple blessing has special significance, as we find with the blessing of the Kohen (priest), which is in the form of a triple blessing.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
OUR HEARTS ARE WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY - MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW
Tuesday, Adar 11, 5785 / March 11, 2025
B"H
Tuesday, Adar 11, 5785 / March 11, 2025
Purim is this Thursday night, March 13 & Friday March 14.
On Purim we perform the following five special mitzvot:
1) Reading of Megilat Esther. It is read Purim night (Thursday night) and again on Friday, during the Morning Prayer. One must hear every word of the Megilah.
2) Reciting the Al HaNisim. Al HaNisim is a prayer thanking G-d for the miracle of Purim. We recite it during the Amidah prayer (evening, morning and afternoon) and in the Grace-after-Meals.
3) Mishloach Manot - sending gifts. On Purim day (Friday), we send gifts of ready-to-eat food to friends. We send at least two kinds of food to at least one person. By exchanging gifts, we share the joy of Purim with others. Mishloach Manot is also an expression of Jewish unity and friendship.
The Megilah tells us that when Haman tried to convince the king to give him permission to annihilate the Jewish people, he said to the king, “There is one nation that is spread apart throughout your kingdom.” He identified the Jewish people as being spread apart. Although he meant that they were scattered throughout his kingdom, yet, there is a deeper meaning in this that there was a lack of unity amongst Jews themselves. Thus on Purim, to commemorate the great miracle that our lives were saved, we send gifts to each other as a sign of friendship and unity.
Our sages say, “G-d didn’t find a better vessel to contain blessings for Israel, other than Shalom-peace among each other.
4) Matanot LaEvyonim- gifts to the poor. On Purim day (Friday), we must give charity, more than usual. To perform this mitzvah properly, we must give charity to at least two poor people. Although one fulfills the mitzvah by giving to two poor people, our sages say that on Purim it is preferable to give to, "whoever stretches out their hand." Thus, it is customary that on Purim and the days before and after, we distribute more charity than usual and give to everyone – no questions asked...
5) Seudat Purim- Purim meal. During the day of Purim (Friday) we eat a sumptuous and festive meal as befitting the celebration of this great miracle.
Q. Why do we make so much noise when Haman’s name is mentioned in the Megilah?
A. The Torah commands us that we should erase the memory of the nation of Amalek. Haman, who wanted to annihilate the entire Jewish people, was a direct descendant of Amalek. Thus, we make noise when Haman’s name is mentioned in the Megilah as a form of erasing the memory of Amalek. Just as Haman was defeated at the time of Purim, so too, may this be the fate of today’s Hamans. Amen.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
OUR HEARTS ARE WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY - MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW
Monday, Adar 10, 5785 / March 10, 2025
B"H
Monday, Adar 10, 5785 / March 10, 2025
Purim is this Thursday night, March 13 & Friday March 14.
This past Shabbat, because it was the Shabbat before Purim, and Haman who wanted to have the entire Jewish nation killed was a descendant of Amalek, we read Parshat Zachor, in which G-d commanded the Jewish people to wipe out and erase the memory of Amalek.
The Torah states: "Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you came out of Egypt; how he met you on the way and cut down all the weak trailing behind you while you were weary and exhausted, and he did not fear G-d. Therefore, when the L-rd your G-d will relieve you of all your enemies around you, in the land which the L-rd your G-d gives you as a heritage, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from beneath the heaven. Do not forget!"
Q.Why is the nation of Amalek singled out in the Torah when there were many other nations who waged war against the people of Israel?
A.Our sages explain this with a parable: A tub of water was so hot; everyone was too terrified to go into the tub out of fear of getting burnt. Then one person decided to jump into the water. Although he got badly burnt, it diminished the fear of all other people and eventually they, too, tried to enter the tub.
The same was with Amalek. The Torah tells us that when G-d took the children of Israel out of Egypt, "The nations heard about it and trembled; pangs of fear gripped the inhabitants of Phlistia; the chieftains of Edom were terrified; the mighty men of Moab were panic-stricken; all the inhabitants of Canaan melted away.." (Exodus 15).
However, Amalek, like the man who jumped into the hot tub, was the first nation to wage war against the people of Israel after their Exodus. Although they lost the war and were defeated, the fear of the other nation was gone. All subsequent wars are, in a sense, a result of Amalek's war. This is why Amalek is singled out.
Q. What is the reason for sending gifts of foods (Mishloach Manot) to each other on Purim?
A.According to the Talmud, G-d allowed Haman's terrible decree to take place because Jews participated at King Achashverosh's party, where non-kosher food was served. By exchanging kosher food items, we symbolically rectify this fault.
Q. Why is it customary to drink "L'chayim" on Purim?
A. The Megilah tells us that the miracle of Purim was a result of banquets of wine. In the Megilah we read that Haman's downfall came about at a wine party. There, Esther revealed to the king that she was Jewish, and that Haman wanted to kill her and her people. Since wine played a major role in the miracle of Purim, we celebrate it by drinking a L’chayim or two (or more...) on Purim.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
OUR HEARTS ARE WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY - MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW
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