* TORAH WEEKLY * Highlights of the Weekly Torah Portion Parshas Vayakhel (Parshas Parah) For the week ending 22 Adar 5754 4 & 5 March 1994 ========================================================================= Summary Moshe Rabbeinu instructs the Bnei Yisrael to observe the Sabbath. Moshe asks for donations for the materials necessary for the construction of the Mishkan. He collects gold, silver, precious stones, animal skins and yarn, as well as incense and olive oil for the Menorah and for anointing. The Princes of each of the twelve tribes bring the precious stones for the Kohen Gadol's breastplate and ephod. Hashem appoints Betzalel and Oholiav as the master craftsmen for the building of the Mishkan and its vessels. The Bnei Yisrael contribute so much that Moshe begins to refuse donations. A verbal blueprint of the various parts and vessels for the Mishkan describes how everything was made. Special curtains with two different covers were designed to serve as the material for the Mishkan's roof and door. Gold-covered boards set in silver bases were connected, and formed the walls of the Mishkan. Betzalel made the Ark, which contained the Tablets, from wood that was covered with gold on the inside and outside. On the cover of the Ark were two small figures facing each other with wings arching over the Ark. The Menorah and the Shulchan, the table with the showbreads were also made of gold. Two Altars were made: A small one for burning incense was made of wood overlaid with gold, and a larger Altar for the purpose of sacrifices that was made of wood that was covered with copper. ========================================================================= Commentaries "Moshe said...This is the word that Hashem commanded, saying: Collect among yourselves an elevated offering to Hashem" (35:4-5). When we give tzedaka to the needy it should be done quietly and discreetly, yet when we give to holy causes such as the Tabernacle, the Beis Hamikdash, Synagogues or Yeshivos it is a Mitzvah to let our names be publicized. Giving is contagious. When other people see the honor given to patrons of our institutions it will motivate them to donate to these special causes as well. The Torah uses the additional word "saying" to remind us that we must say who made the contribution. (Commentaries) "Each person who was ready to volunteer came forward" (35:21). Since the Jewish People had spent the last few hundred years in slavery performing menial tasks, none of them had been trained for the intricate crafts necessary to build the Mishkan. The only people who volunteered were those who had the courage and self-confidence to step forward and say that they were willing to attempt something for which they had no previous experience. If a person demonstrates a willingness to undertake new responsibilities, he will find that he possesses many latent talents. (Adapted from the Ramban) "And the Princes brought _shoam_ stones and stones to be set, in the _Ephod_ and the _Choshen_" (35:27). Although Divine wrath for our mistakes may often be severe, the reward for repentance and haste to do a Mitzvah is hundreds of times greater. Hashem's trait of mercy is "hundreds of times greater" than His trait of judgment. Rashi notes that the word "Princes" is lacking a yud. This is criticism of the Princes for accepting too small a responsibility in supplying the materials for the Mishkan. They offered only to donate that which the other people failed to contribute. Although their pledge appeared generous, it did not show enough initiative. Therefore, their name was minimized. Due to the Jewish People's generosity, only the precious stones were left to be donated. In Parshas Naso, the Princes made lavish dedication offerings for the Mishkan, yet although each one was exactly the same, the Torah detailed them 12 separate times, spanning 72 verses. This was in the merit of their haste to be first in the dedication of the Mishkan. (Chafetz Chaim) "And Betzalel make the Ark from shittim wood..." (37:1). If a person does a Mitzvah with the purest of intentions, solely to perform HaShem's will, then such a Mitzvah will be so special that it will leave a permanent mark in the world. Most of the items of the Mishkan which were also used later in the first Temple, were lost during the Temple's destruction, and replaced by new ones in the second Temple. Only Betzalel's Ark remained. Although many people engaged in creating the Mishkan's other holy vessels, the Ark was fashioned solely by Betzalel. Since the Ark had figurines on it, only an extremely pious man could build it. If the sculptor entertained even the slightest thought that the figurines were even remotely associated with idolatry, the sanctity of the Ark would have been invalidated. A matter as delicate as this could only be entrusted to Betzalel, a skilled and pious craftsman. Betzalel's family was renowned for fighting idol worship; his grandfather had been killed trying to ward off the sin of the golden calf. Because of his wisdom and purity of thought, Hashem called upon Betzalel by name in the Torah to be in charge of the entire building of the Mishkan. Moreover, so well did he perform the task that was his sole responsibility, the building of the Ark, that Providence protected his work throughout history. (Meshech Chochmah) ========================================================================= Haftorah Parshas Parah Yechezkel 36:16-38 This week's Haftorah continues the theme of purification enunciated in the final aliyah of the Torah reading. The Prophet tells us of Hashem's final purification of the Jewish people as he prepares to bring them back to Eretz Yisrael for the last time. But whereas the Parsha's purification came through "mayim tme'im" (water which left its carriers in a state of impurity), or through the all-encompassing waters of a mikveh, the waters which will purify us before the final redemption will not be much more than a few drops. This crucial difference symbolizes Hashem's willingness to accept even the slightest indication of our repentance. Small, but pure, gestures toward repentance will prompt Hashem to transform the nation's hearts from "stone" to "flesh," from indifference toward Him to loving acceptance and a natural urge to seek the good in thought and action. This process will put in motion our final and complete return to Eretz Yisrael. (Malbim) ========================================================================= Ohr Somayach Institutions is proud to present: LIVING INSPIRED: by Rabbi Dr. Akiva Tatz An excerpt from the best-selling book Living Inspired, is based on a number of Rabbi Dr. Tatz's lectures. In it, he uses his unusual powers of analysis to reveal some of the underlying patterns of Torah thought and experience, and shows how these can illuminate our daily life. His stated goal: to make the deeper levels manifest and provide a guide to inspiration. This file is available from the following sources: o The Jerusalem1 Gopher under the heading "Religious Institutions" and the sub-heading "Ohr Somayach" o CompuServe Religion Forum, Judaism Library (2), filename TATZ.TXT o Sent via E-Mail for those without access to one of the above. This service is available only through 03-MAR-94. 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