Today's Learning Yevamot 4:1-2 Sponsored by O.C. 142:1-143:1 the Marwick family Bava Batra 131 in memory of Yerushalmi-- Joel L. Slotsky A"H Megillah 19 Hamaayan/The Torah Spring edited by Shlomo Katz Vayakhel Vol. IX, No. 22 (406), 25 Adar I 5755, February 25, 1995 This parashah and the next repeat the detailed description of the mishkan's construction which we read in past weeks. In all, the mishkan takes up the four whole parashot and part of a fifth. In contrast, notes Rav Yaakov Yitzchak Ruderman zatz'l, some halachot are learned from just one letter in the Torah. Why then is the mishkan described in such painstaking detail? The answer, says Rav Ruderman, is that this is one of the ways that the Torah chose to teach us the importance of paying attention to detail. Similarly, Chazal say that Hashem rewarded Avraham for each action which he did on behalf of the three angels that visited him. But Hashem did not simply look at the fact that one mitzvah (hospitality) was done and reward Avraham for that one mitzvah. That which Avraham did personally, Hashem rewarded "personally," while that which Avraham did through a messenger, Hashem rewarded through a messenger. Thus, each detail of Avraham's hospitality was rewarded in a precise manner. When a person performs a mitzvah, every detail should be done for the sake of heaven. For example, says Rav Ruderman, when one wakes up in the morning and prepares to leave for shul, he should think of each step (washing, dressing, etc.) as part of the mitzvah. (Sichot Levi) ************************************ Chazal say that the mitzvah of Shabbat is juxtaposed to the mishkan (in our parasha and in other places) to teach that the mishkan may not be built on Shabbat. In addition, notes Rav Yaakov David Willowsky ("Ridvaz") zatz'l, the creation of the world--which Shabbat commemorates--parallels the mishkan. For example, on the first day, Hashem created the world as a place to interact with man. Similarly, in the mishkan, Hashem "resides" among men. On the second day, Hashem separated water from water, i.e., the waters of the heavens from the waters of the earth. Similarly, the curtain in the mishkan separated the area known as the Holy from the Holy of Holies. On the third day, Hashem created plants, which are used to bake bread to be sacrificed in the mishkan. On the fourth day Hashem created the sun to light the earth. Similarly, the mishkan had a menorah to light it. On the fifth day, Hashem created birds. So, too, the kruvim (cherubs) spread out their wings in the mishkan. On the sixth day, man was created. Aharon, a perfect prototype of man, served Hashem in the mishkan. (Nimukei Ridvaz) *********************************** Chazal say that when Hashem created the world it continued to spread out until He commanded it to stop. Similarly, Bnei Yisrael had to be commanded to stop bringing donations to the mishkan. However, the purposes of these two commands were exactly opposite of each other, writes Rav Gedaliah Schorr zatz'l. In the case of creation, if the world had been "over-developed," Hashem's glory would have been too hidden for us to perceive. If, on the other hand, the mishkan had been "over-developed," too much of Hashem's glory would have been revealed and we would be overwhelmed. (Ohr Gedalyahu) ************************************ The verse states: "The nation was held back from bringing [donations]" (36:6). True, Moshe commanded them not to bring more donations, says Rav Aharon Lewin zatz'l, but what "held them back"? The sage Hillel said, "My legs take me where I want to go"--as if on their own. Similarly, when a person is in control of his inclinations, that which he is commanded not to do becomes impossible to do. Moshe's command held Bnei Yisrael back. (Had'rash Veha'iyun) ************************************ "And Moshe gathered together the congregation of Bnei Yisrael." (35:1) Rashi comments: "On the day after Yom Kippur." What is the significance of the fact that it was the day after Yom Kippur? Only after Yom Kippur, says Rav Mendele of Viso zatz'l, after each person had closely examined his affairs and determined whether any of his money was ill-gotten, would Moshe take Bnei Yisrael's donations for the mishkan. (She'airit Menachem) ************************************ Or: On Yom Kippur it is easy to gather together all of Bnei Yisrael, for the holiness of the day inspires every Jew to love his brethren. However, Moshe was hinting to the people that even on the day after Yom Kippur they should have an attitude which makes such a gathering possible. (Rav Moshe of Kobrin zatz'l) ************************************ "The seventh day [Shabbat] shall be holy for you." (35:2) Rav Chaim Yosef David Azulai zatz'l writes: Even that part of the day which is "for you," i.e. your eating, drinking, and other pleasures, shall be done in holiness. (Nachal Kedumim; quoted in Torat HaChidah) ************************************ "And they [the craftsmen] told Moshe, 'The people are bringing too much. . .'" (36:5) Why does the Torah tell us of Bnei Yisrael's generosity? Who would not give all of his wealth to help build the mishkan?! What was remarkable here was not the size of the donations which Bnei Yisrael gave, but the enthusiasm with which they gave. The true test of a charitable person is not whether he gives--for everyone does--but how he gives. Is his enthusiasm the 100th time he gives charity as great as it was the first time? (Mei Hashiloach) ************************************ Rav Yosef Shaul Nathanson zatz'l born 5568 (1808) - died 27 Adar I 5635 (1875) Rav Yosef Shaul was the author of dozens of works on Talmud, halachah, and chumash. Some of these he wrote alone and others he co-authored with his brother-in-law, Rav Mordechai Ze'ev Ettinger. Their first work was a commentary on Bava Kamma which included exchanges with Rabbi Akiva Eiger and the Chatam Sofer among others. Rav Yosef Shaul's best known work is the 14-volume collection of responsa entitled Sho'el U'meishiv. In 1857, Rav Yosef Shaul was appointed rabbi of Lvov (Lemberg) in Galicia, succeeding his uncle, Rav Yaakov Orenstein (author of Yeshuot Yaakov). Rav Yosef Shaul was independently wealthy and did not receive a salary for his work in Lvov. Although Rav Yosef Shaul was not a chassid, he enjoyed warm relations with many chassidic rebbes and their followers. His haskamot (approbations) can be found in many works, including those of the chassidic movement. In Divrei Shaul, his multi-volumed work on chumash, Rav Yosef Shaul asks why Moshe commanded Bnei Yisrael to stop bringing donations for the mishkan? Surely he could have found a use for all of the extra money! The midrash says that Bnei Yisrael are an enigma, for they gave generously for both the golden calf and the mishkan. Rav Yosef Shaul explains: Some people give charity because they recognize the worth of the cause. However, other people naturally are spendthrifts, and they will give to any cause, whether it is worthy or not. Bnei Yisrael appeared to Moshe to fit into the latter category. Thus, he devised a test. He commanded Bnei Yisrael to stop donating to the mishkan. If they were compulsive givers, they would object to this command, but if (as it turned out) their intentions were proper, they would obey. ************************************ Donations to Hamaayan are tax-deductible.