Unlimited
Partnership
Parshas Pekudei
Posted on February 28, 2022 (5782) By Rabbi Mordechai
Kamenetzky | Series: Drasha | Level: Beginner
The Mishkan was finally complete. The nation looked at
the magnificent work with great joy, and Moshe was proud. So proud, in fact,
that he did something that he only did once more– just before his death: he
blessed the entire nation.
Actually, the erection of
a Mishkan was the greatest blessing in itself.
Hashem had promised the Jewish nation in Parshas Terumah, “Build me a Mishkan — and I
will dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8). But Moshe felt that he, too, would add a
blessing.
Rashi tells us what Moshe
told the people: “May Hashem rest His presence in your handiwork.”
At first it seems that
Moshe is reiterating the promise that Hashem Himself made. Hashem had promised
to dwell in the midst of the Sanctuary that the Jewish nation would build. Why,
then did Moshe repeat G-d’s promise as a blessing? Is he blessing them that
Hashem should keep His word? Or is he perhaps bestowing a more powerful
message?
A man once approached Rabbi
Yehuda Assad for advice. “There is an old, run-down store in the downtown area
of the city. I can get it a very reasonable price. I think that with my
marketing skills I may be able to turn that location into a profitable venture.
Do you think I should buy it?”
Rav Assad made a face. “I don’t
think that it would be prudent to enter that part of the city for a business
venture.” The man left somewhat dejected.
A few days later another man
entered the Rabbi’s study with the identical question about the same property.
“There is an old, run-down store in the downtown area of the city. I can get it
a very reasonable price. I think that with my marketing skills, and of course
with Hashem’s help, I may be able to turn that location into a profitable
venture. Do you think I should buy it?”
This time Rabbi Assad nodded in
approval. “I think you should make a go of it. I have no doubts that it will be
a success.”
When word got out that the
Rabbi was behind this new endeavor, the first man stormed into his study quite
upset. “Why did you tell me not to buy the property and then tell my friend
just the opposite?” he demanded.
“My dear student,” answered the
Rabbi, “there is a great difference. Your friend took in a partner. He said
that with the help of Hashem he could make a go of it. When someone includes
Hashem in his plans, I am sure that he will succeed!”
For the first time since
the exodus the Jews had become accomplished craftsman, artisans, tailors, and
contractors. They built a magnificent edifice in the wilderness. Moshe knew
that a feeling of self-gratification might accompany their accomplishments.
Perhaps they may begin to think that it was their wisdom, their skills and only their abilities that made this beautiful Mishkan possible. So, he blessed them with words
that were meant to dissuade any such delusion.
“May Hashem’s presence
rest in your handiwork.” Of course, Hashem promised that he would dwell in
the Mishkan. Moshe’s question was, “would the Jews let him
in?” Would they make him a partner? Would they recognize Hashem as a significant factor even in the
physical handiwork that they themselves had wrought? To that end, Moshe’s
blessing incorporated the standard for every action, accomplishment, and
success that anyone achieves. May Hashem be a part of your success. May
the Shechina rest upon your handiwork.
Text Copyright © 1996 by Rabbi M. Kamenetzky and Project Genesis, Inc.
The author is the Dean
of the Yeshiva
of South Shore.
Drasha is the e-mail edition of FaxHomily, a weekly torah facsimile on the
weekly portion
which is sponsored by The Henry and Myrtle Hirsch
Foundation
Firm
Footing
Parshas Pekudei
Posted on February 28, 2022 (5782) By Rabbi Shlomo Jarcaig
| Series: Kol
HaKollel | Level: Beginner
The building of the
Mishkan (Tabernacle) was a process through which mankind used various earthly
elements to create an edifice in which G-d’s Divine presence would dwell. Our
Sages expound upon the lessons derived from the myriad steps and details
incorporated in this process. They serve as direction for the fulfillment of
our ultimate mission in this world as Jews: How we create a greater awareness
of G-d in the world, and how we come closer to Him.
Different components of
the Mishkan were built from different types of donated materials. While most of
the construction materiel was from voluntary donations dependent upon the will
and means of the donor, there was an additional mandatory donation incumbent
upon all males of 20 years and older at the time of the census. This donation
demanded an identical sum from each Jew, regardless of means. “The silver of
the census was one hundred talents (of 3,000 shekels each) and 1,775 shekels in
the sacred shekel; a beka for every head, a half shekel in the sacred shekel
for everyone who passed through the census takers…The hundred talents of silver
were to cast the sockets of the Sanctuary and the sockets of the Partition; a
hundred sockets for a hundred talents, a talent per socket.” (Shemos/Exodus
38:25-27) The silver was used to make the sockets that held together the beams
of the Mishkan’s walls. These sockets essentially served the foundation of the
entire Mishkan.
Rabbi Moshe Feinstein
(1895-1986; Rosh Yeshiva/Dean of Mesivtha Tifereth Jerusalem in New York City;
the leading Halachic/Jewish legal decisor and foremost leader of Torah Jewry of
his time) explains that the foundation upon which our personal, internal
Mishkan is built is our Emunah (faith in G-d). The use of this silver in the
casting of the sockets for the foundation of the Mishkan – silver that was
donated in like amounts from throughout the Jewish people – teaches that our
Emunah must be employed equally in all precincts of our life experience. Emunah
is not only an expression of dedication to the Divine in the synagogue or study
hall, it is a statement of G-d consciousness in all activities: how we conduct
our business, how we interact with our family members, how we choose to
recreate.
Furthermore, each socket
was the product of 6,000 donations. No part of the foundation could be the gift
of one man alone; each Jew contributed an equal portion. We learn that, as
Jews, we need to value the input and contributions of others. To truly
accomplish and build stable structures, we need to work as a cohesive unit. If
the foundation is strong in some areas but weak in others, the Mishkan will not
stand. Only by helping another reach his potential can we develop the necessary
foundation upon which the Mishkan can stand.
Have a Good Shabbos!
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