The Torah Portion of "Pekudei - Shekalim"
The Torah Portion of Pekudei
"These are the accountings of the Mishkan...which were counted at the word of Moshe." (Shemot 38:21)
The Holy Zohar asks, isn't it so that the blessing is not to be found except in something which is hidden from the eye, so why did they count all the silver? And the answer is that regarding the silver which was counted by Moshe Rabbeinu, that the blessing rests upon it even if it is counted and not hidden from the eye. And that is the explanation of the verse "these are the accountings of the Mishkan...which were counted at the word of Moshe" -- because they were counted by Moshe there was no damage or lack caused by the counting of the sum of the donations for the Mishkan, and on the contrary because of the power of Moshe's greatness and righteousness, there was no reason to prevent the blessing.
"...a hundred sockets (in Hebrew: "Adanim") for a hundred kikar..." (Shemot 38:27)
The Baal HaTurim wrote that in parallel to the hundred sockets they established to say a hundred blessings every day. And the Chidushei HaRim says that just as the sockets are the basis of the Mishkan, so also the blessings are the basis of the holiness of every man of Israel, and by means of the blessings he testifies that Hashem, may He be blessed, is the Master of all of Creation. The Kli Yakar says that a Socket (in Hebrew: Aden) is from the same root as Master (in Hebrew: Adon), and he says that someone holds himself to be lowly like a Socket, is a Master, and as in the language of the Zohar, someone who regards himself as lowly, is great.
"...and Moshe blessed them." (Shemot 39:43)
Rashi states that Moshe said to them "May it be Hashem's will that the Shechina (the Divine Presence) should dwell within the work of your hands". And the explanation of this is, that in all the activities that a person is occupied with, also in matters of physicality and earning a livelihood, it needs to be recognizable within that activity that he is serving the Creator and that the Shechina is present. And that is the meaning of saying that "the Shechina should dwell within the work of your hands."
"...as Hashem had commanded Moshe." (Shemot 40:19 and other places)
There are 18 times in this Torah Portion that it is mentioned "as Hashem had commanded Moshe", and it is brought in the Talmud Yerushalmi that in parallel to this there were 18 blessings established in the Shemoneh Esrei prayer. And this is also to show us that in every act that a person does, he needs to know if that is in accord with the commandment of Hashem.
We bless "Chazak" at the end of the Torah Portion of Pekudei, which is the end of the book of Shemot.
Parshat Shekalim - The Torah Portion about Shekalim (Shekels)
It is written in the Mishna that on the first of Adar they announce about the Shekalim. In the time of the Temple it was a Torah Mitzvah that everyone would donate a half shekel to the office of donations in the Temple, in order to purchase with that money all of the public sacrificial offerings.
The Sages established during the time when the Temple existed, that on the Shabbat right before the month of Adar (or on the Shabbat which fell on Rosh Chodesh Adar) they would read Parshat Shekalim, because on Shabbat all the people would gather in the synagogues and study halls. When they would hear about the obligation to donate the half shekel, they would be reminded and encouraged to fulfill that Mitzvah. In our times when the Temple doesn't exist, and we don't have the sacrificial altar and sacrifices for our atonement, the Mitzvah of collecting the half shekel cannot be fulfilled. Nonetheless, we read this portion from the Torah on the Shabbat right before Adar, since "we compensate for the bulls with our lips" (Hoshea 14:3). May the reading be considered as if we fulfilled the Mitzvah in actuality.
The Sages say that it was revealed and known before the Holy One Blessed Be He that in the future Haman would weigh out Shekalim to the King Ahashvairosh against Israel, and therefore Hashem commanded us to donate Shekalim so that our Shekalim would precede the Shekalim of Haman.
The four Parshiot, special Torah portions which are read at this time of year before Passover, are: Shekalim (about the shekels), Zachor (about remembering Amalek), Parah (about the red cow) , and Hachodesh (about the month of Nisan). The names of the four portions give us hints about improving ourselves from an ethical (Mussar) point of view. 1. Shekalim - one needs to weigh his deeds (since the word for weighing has the same Hebrew root letters as Shekalim). 2. Zachor - one needs to remember Hashem (since the Hebrew word Zachor refers to remembering). 3. Para - one needs to purify himself (since the Parah Adumah, the red cow, was used for purification). 4. Hachodesh - one needs to renew himself (since the word for renewal has the same Hebrew root letters as Hachodesh, the month).
It's written in the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, that when Rosh Chodesh occurs on Motzei Shabbat (the night after Shabbat is over), that during Seudah Shlishit (the Third Meal on Shabbat), one should prevent himself from eating a Kzayit (olive-size portion) of bread at night, in order to avoid the situation of not knowing whether to mention Shabbat and/or Rosh Chodesh in Birkat HaMazon (the Grace after Meals). [The Halachic authorities are divided in their opinions about what to do if one begins the meal while it is still during the daytime on Shabbat and finishes the meal only at nighttime. According the Ba"Ch and those who follow his opinion, one should only mention Shabbat in the Birkat HaMazon. According the the M"A and those who follow his opinion, one should only mention Rosh Chodesh. According to the Ta"z and those who follow his opinion, one should mention both Shabbat and Rosh Chodesh. And the C"HaCh wrote that one should not mention either of them, because since there is a disgreement, and if one leaves out mentioning Shabbat and Rosh Chodesh it doesn't invalidate the Birkat Hamazon at Seudah Shlishit, and there is a doubt about whether one ought to mention Shabbat and/or Rosh Chodesh, his ruling is that it is preferable to not mention either of them.]
The Torah Portion of "Pekudai" has 92 verses. There are 4 positive commandments and 5 negative commandments.
This Shabbat we bless the coming of the new month of Adar Beit. Rosh Chodesh Adar Beit is on Yom Rishon and Yom Shaini (Monday and Tuesday). The Molad is on Yom Shabbat Kodesh at the hour 3:10 with 8 Chalakim.
TwoTorah Scrolls are taken out:1) for the weekly Torah portion2) for the Maftir of Parshat Shekalim, from the beginning of the Torah Portion of Ki Tisa until "al Nafshoteichem" The Haftorah is "Ben Sheva Shanim" (Malachim Beit 12)
We say Borchi Nafshi.
"M'shenichnas Adar Marbim B'Simcha"
"When Adar begins Happiness Increases"
May you have a light-filled and happy Shabbat.
Shabbat Shalom.
L'ilui Neshamat HaGaon HaTzaddik R' Gershon Avigdor Ben R' Chaim ztz"l, Nilkach L'Bait Olamo Yud Gimmel Tishrei 5772
The Torah Portion of "Vayakheil"
"And Moshe assembled..." (Shemot 35:1)
Rashi says that this occurred on the day after Yom Kippur. It is customary for people to appease their friends on the day before Yom Kippur, but also on the day after Yom Kippur we should take care to continue to assemble together and to live in peace and brotherhood. And that was the intention of what Rashi says "And Moshe assembled - on the day after Yom Kippur".
"You shall not light fire in any of your dwellings on the day of Shabbat" (Shemot 35:3)
It is brought in the holy books that even though the fire of Gehinnom is extinguished on Shabbat, for someone who desecrates Shabbat the fires of Gehinnom are kindled especially for him to punish him. And this is what the Torah is warning us, that one should be careful not to desecrate Shabbat since that would cause the fires of Gehinnom to be lit up for him. Also, the Sages said that the sin of desecrating Shabbat causes fires, G-d forbid. And this is what the Torah is hinting to us, that you shouldn't cause fires to flare up in your dwelling places, because of desecration of Shabbat, G-d forbid. Similarly, if we are careful not to desecrate Shabbat, then as a result there will not be any fires in our houses. In addition, it is hinted in the holy books, that on the holy Sabbath, one needs to be especially careful to prevent the kindling of the fire of divisive argumentation (Machloket). On Shabbat people are present in the Bait Knesset and are not busy with their weekday work, so the evil inclination finds an opportunity precisely on this holy day to incite people to have disagreements and arguments. And that is why the Torah says "You shall not light fire...on the day of Shabbat".
The Torah Portion of "Vayakheil" has 122 verses. There is one negative commandment.
The Haftorah is "Vaya'as Chirom" (Malachi Aleph 7)
We say Borchi Nafshi.
"M'shenichnas Adar Marbim B'Simcha"
"When Adar begins Happiness Increases"
May you have a light-filled and happy Shabbat.
Shabbat Shalom.
L'ilui Neshamat HaGaon HaTzaddik R' Gershon Avigdor Ben R' Chaim ztz"l, Nilkach L'Bait Olamo Yud Gimmel Tishrei 5772
The Torah Portion of Ki Tisa
"This is what they shall give..." (Shemot 30:13)
Rashi explained that the Holy One Blessed Be He showed Moshe a sort of coin of fire and told him: "Something like this is what they shall give". The coin of fire hints that fire is able to be beneficial and also to cause damage. Fire is able to burn, G-d forbid, but it is also able to cook and to heat and to give light, and the like. Similarly, the coin, if it is used for Tzedaka (charity) and acts of kindness, then it has great benefit; but if we use money when it isn't for the purpose of fulfilling a Mitzvah, it can burn and cause damage, G-d forbid. (from Noam Elimelech)
The Coin of Fire
The coin of fire also hints that just as fire is able to give enjoyment to several people simultaneously and the fire does not get used up any faster because of that, so too someone who gives (tzedaka) does not diminish his property and won't be lacking anything. The coin of fire also hints that even for a poor person who is only able to give a little bit and a small amount, if his giving is done with the enthusiasm of fire then even the small amount that he gives is thought of as a great donation, and it is also able to be an atonement for his soul like a great donation.
"...half of the shekel..." (Shemot 30:13)
And why not a whole one? Because a man needs to regard himself as a half, and not as a complete person.
"... and into the heart of all who are wise of heart I have put wisdom..." (Shemot 31:6)
The Sages, may their memory be blessed, say that Hashem gives wisdom to the wise. It can be asked, how did they get their original wisdom? There are those who explain that the intention of this verse is that Hashem gives wisdom to those who have fear of Heaven, which is called wisdom, as it is written "The beginning of wisdom is the fear of Hashem" (Tehillim 111:10). And there are those who explain that Hashem gives wisdom to those who want the wisdom and know to appreciate it.
"...Only (in Hebrew: "Ach") observe my Sabbaths..." (Shemot 31:13)
The Hebrew word "Ach" is a language of limitation and exclusion, as when it is used in the context of Hagalat Kailim (Kashering pots). The verse about Kashering pots states: "...Only (in Hebrew: "Ach") the gold and the silver..." (Bamidbar 31:22). And the Sages derived from that verse, that the word "Ach" comes to exclude the rust and the tarnish. Therefore one needs to clean the rust off before Kashering the pots. Similarly it is possible to derive from the current verse (in which the Hebrew word "Ach" is also used) that before Shabbat one needs to clean the "rust" off one's body, and to purify himself by doing repentance in preparation for Shabbat, in order to enter Shabbat when he is clean. And then he will be able to receive the Shabbat with perfection. (from the Sefat Emet)
"...it is a sign forever..." (Shemot 31:17)
The Shabbat is like a sign. Just as in the case of a store, even if it is closed, all the time that the sign is hanging at the entrance, it's an indication that the store will be open in the future. But if the sign is taken down it's an indication that the store will never open again. Similarly, regarding the Shabbat, if it happens that G-d forbid a Jew stumbles in a sin, all the time that he still observes the Shabbat it's an indication and evidence that he is a Jew who has a connection in his heart to the Holy One Blessed Be He. But if he doesn't observe the Shabbat, the sign is removed and it's evidence that he doesn't have any connection to the Holy One Blessed Be He and the Torah. (from the Chafetz Chaim)
"You shall not make yourselves molten gods." (Shemot 34:17)
Immediately after this verse it is written: "You shall observe the Festival of Matzot". (Shemot 34:18) Why are these verses next to each other, and what is the connection between the two of them? The reason is that on Erev Pesach (the time before Passover), because of much distress and the pressure of the work, it is possible G-d forbid to become angry. And behold, "everyone who is angry it is as if he is worshipping idols" (Gemara Shabbat 105b). And that is the reason for the juxtaposition of the Festival of Matzot next to the sin of idol worship. Similarly the Be'er Haitev brings in the name of the Rokach, that a person should not say ""how much hardship there is in this Pesach", because that is the statement of the Rasha (the wicked one of the four sons discussed in the Passover Hagaddah) who said "What is this work to you?"
The Torah Portion of "Ki Tisa" has 139 verses, 4 positive commandments and 5 negative commandments. The Haftorah is "Vayehi Yamim Rabim" (Malachim Aleph 18)
We say Borchi Nafshi.
"M'shenichnas Adar Marbim B'Simcha"
"When Adar begins Happiness Increases"
May you all have a light-filled and happy Shabbat.
Shabbat Shalom.
L'ilui Neshamat HaGaon HaTzaddik R' Gershon Avigdor Ben R' Chaim ztz"l, Nilkach L'Bait Olamo Yud Gimmel Tishrei 5772
The Torah Portion of "Tetzaveh"
"And you will command..." (Shemot 27:20)
The word "command" linguistically indicates encouragement, and apparently this presents a difficulty. Why is this language of encouragement used in the Torah Portion of Tetzaveh, whereas in the Torah Portion of T'rumah in which the main donations for the Mishkan (Tabernacle) were discussed, this language of encouragement was not used at all? The explanation is that it is easier to give a lot at one time, than to give even a little bit but on a regular, daily basis. Therefore, the lighting of the Menorah which was done on a regular, daily basis, requires encouragement. (from the Gaon HaRav Chaim Shmuelevitz)
"...crushed for illumination..." (Shemot 27:20)
Rashi explains, that the olives are crushed for illumination but not crushed for "Menachot" (meal-offerings). A person needs to be "crushed", that is broken in his own eyes, but only on condition that this will be for the purpose of "illumination", and that he doesn't come because of that to sadness and bitterness, G-d forbid. That is to say, that he does not come because of this to "Menachot" (meal offerings), which in Hebrew is linguistically related to weakness.
"Tarshish and Shoham and Yashfeh" (Shemot 28:20) [Translator's note: These are names in Hebrew of three of the precious stones on the Choshen (breastplate) of the Kohen HaGadol.]
The Yashfeh was the stone of the tribe of Benyamin, and the Ba'al HaTurim says this is hinted at by the Gematria (numerical value of the Hebrew letters of the words). The Gematria of Yashfeh with the Kollel (one more for the word itself) is equal to the Gematria of Benyamin son of Yaakov. In the Gemara there is a story told about Dama Ben Netina. The Jews came to buy from him a Yashfeh stone for the Choshen (breastplate), but since his father was sleeping at that time on top of the chest in which the Yashfeh was stored, he didn't want to wake him up. He honored his father, even though he lost a lot of money because of it. In reward for this, he received a reward from Heaven that made him wealthy after that. His cow gave birth to a Para Adumah (Red Heifer), and the children of Israel bought it from him for a great amount of money. The Meshech Chachma clarifies why the stone from Benyamin had been lost. All of the tribes caused sorrow to their father in the sale of Yosef, and even Yosef caused him sorrow about it because he didn't notify his father that he was in Egypt because he was afraid of the Cherem. (His brothers had imposed a condition of Cherem, ex-communication, on anyone who told their father about the sale.) But Benyamin honored his father (since he didn't participate in causing him sorrow through the sale of Yosef), and therefore the Shechina dwelled in his portion. Therefore when the stone of Benyamin was lost, the Holy One Blessed Be He showed them the greatness of the Mitzvah of honoring one's father through Dama Ben Netina, and this was precisely with the stone of Benyamin, because Binyamin had honored his father.
"And you shall make the Me'il...the opening of its head shall be folded over within it, its opening shall have a border all around...a golden bell and a pomegranate" (Shemot 28:31-34)
The Sages say that the Me'il (the robe of the Kohen HaGadol) atones for the sin of Lashon Hara (evil speech). The reason is, that there ought to be something that has a sound in order to atone for Lashon Hara, which occurs through sound, and the Me'il has a sound emanating from its bells. In addition, the Me'il was folded over at its top opening, to hint that one needs to greatly guard himself in order to keep his mouth closed. And also "a golden bell and a pomegranate" comes to hint to us that on the one hand, one needs to keep his mouth closed like a pomegranate and not speak forbidden speech, for the pomegranate is like an egg which is sealed and doesn't have a mouth. And on the other hand, when one's speech is for a holy purpose he shouldn't keep quiet but rather open his mouth, like the bells that made a sound for the purpose of holiness, as it is written "its sound shall be heard when he enters the Sanctuary" (Shemot 28:35), meaning that when it comes to a matter of holiness the sound of one's voice should be heard (for example, when praying or learning Torah). In addition the Chafetz Chaim writes that if one does so (that is, closes his mouth to avoid forbidden speech, but makes his voice heard for the purpose of holiness), "his voice will be heard when he enters the Sanctuary", that is to say, that his prayers will be accepted.
All the Clothing of the Kohen HaGadol serves as an Atonement
These are the things that the clothing of the Kohen HaGadol atones for: The Mitznefet (mitre) atones for having a coarse spirit. The Tzitz (golden plate on the mitre) atones for brazenness, and for blood that was dashed or fat that was burned (in the Temple) in a state of impurity. The Choshen (breastplate) atones for the perversion of justice. The Me'il (robe) atones for Lashon Hara (evil speech). The Ephod (apron) atones for idolatry. The Avnet (girdle) atones for improper thoughts. The K'tonet (tunic) atones for bloodshed. The Michnesayim (breeches) atones for immorality.
"And I will dwell among the children of Israel" (Shemot 29:45)
It is told about one of the early Tzadikim (Righteous Men), that when he was still a little boy, his father said to him: "If you tell me where the Holy One Blessed Be He is, I will give you one gold coin". The little one answered: "If you tell me where he can't be found, I will give you two gold coins, because the Holy One Blessed Be He fills the whole world with His Glory".
A Moral Lesson
There is a story told about Sh'muel HaNagid, zya"a (may his memory protect us, Amen), who was close to the king. One time the king was traveling together with R' Shmuel and they encountered a bad person, a non-Jewish musician who was jealous of R' Shmuel. The musician composed derogatory songs about the Jews and about R' Shmuel, and when the the carriage of the king passed by he sang the derogatory songs. The king got very angry about that, and told R' Sh'muel: "For such brazenness, I command you to cut out his tongue". What did R' Sh'muel do? He composed a song with words of praise about the non-Jew, and also gave the non-Jew a significant gift. The non-Jew was very amazed by that, and in response made a song about R' Sh'muel that contained words of praise and thanks for the gift. The king passed by and heard that the non-Jew was still singing, and said to R' Sh'muel: "Didn't I command you to cut out his tongue?" R' Sh'muel answered: "That is what I did. I cut out his bad tongue and changed it into a good tongue." He explained to the king: "If I would have cut out his tongue, there would have sprouted in its place many bad tongues from his family and the people of his city", and his wisdom was very good in the eyes of the king.
The Torah Portion of "Tetzaveh" has 101 verses, 4 positive commandments and 4 negative commandments. The Haftorah is "Atah Ben Adam" (Yechezkel 43).
We say Borchi Nafshi.
"M'shenichnas Adar Marbim B'Simcha"
"When Adar begins Happiness Increases"
May you all have a light-filled and happy Shabbat.
Shabbat Shalom.
L'ilui Neshamat HaGaon HaTzaddik R' Gershon Avigdor Ben R' Chaim ztz"l, Nilkach L'Bait Olamo Yud Gimmel Tishrei 5772
Torah Portion of "T'rumah"
Why does Torah Portion of T'rumah (in English: an offering or donation), immediately follow the Torah Portion of Mishpatim (in English: judicial laws and ordinances)?
The Beit Levi explains that in the beginning before a man does the Mitzvah of giving Tzedaka (charity) wiith his money, he needs to see to it that his money was earned lawfully without the slightest dishonesty. For if he doesn't do that, the Tzedaka that he gives will not be effective for him at all. Similarly a Lulav which is stolen is disqualified, because it would be a Mitzvah which comes about by means of doing an Aveirah (transgression). Therefore the Torah told them first about"Mishpatim" (judicial laws and ordinances) and afterwards about the donation for the Mishkan (Tabernacle).
"And they shall take (to) Me an offering". (Shemot 25:2)
The commentators ask, shouldn't it have been written "And they shall give"? The Sages say that more than the rich person gives to the poor person, the poor person gives to the rich person. By virtue of the poor person's acceptance of a donation from the rich person, the rich person is able to fulfill the great Mitzvah of Tzedaka. This is the explanation of "And they shall take" -- that the act of giving is in its very essence an act of taking.
"And they shall take (to) Me an offering". (Shemot 25:2)
It is written in the Tanach that "Mine is the silver and Mine is the gold" (Chaggai 2:8). It would therefore seem that it is not appropriate to speak of giving an offering to the Holy One Blessed Be He, since all the money really belongs to Him. But the explanation is that the main thing that the Holy One Blessed Be He requests from the Children of Israel is that when we give an offering to Hashem, we should give it with a full heart. That is why it is written "whose heart makes him willing" (Shemot 25:2). The physical act of donating is in itself not doing anything, since "Mine is the silver and Mine is the gold", but the act of giving with a full heart is the main point of the donation.
"From every man whose heart makes him willing you shall take (to) Me an offering." (Shemot 25:2)
At the time when the Chafetz Chaim was about to construct the building for his Yeshiva, a Jew came to him and said "Rabbi! Hashem graced me with wealth and I want to merit the great Mitzvah of constructing the Yeshiva entirely from my funds." The Chafetz Chaim answered him: "Your intention is praiseworthy, and Hashem should reward you for your good thoughts, but I cannot accept your offer. The building of a Yeshiva, a place of Torah, is a Mitzvah, and it is necessary to give every Jew the possibility of participating. Thus we find in the case of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). The Holy One Blessed Be He said 'From every man whose heart makes him willing you shall take (to) Me an offering'.(Shemot 25:2) According to the Sages, every single person in Israel had the financial capability to build the Mishkan all by himself. Nonetheless, the Torah commanded: 'From every man', so that every person in Israel would have a portion in the construction of the Mishkan."
"And they shall make Me a Mikdash (Sanctuary), so that I may dwell among them". (Shemot 25:8)
Why was it written "among them"? Shouldn't it have said "within it", that is to say, within the Mikdash? The Alshich Hakodesh explained that the intention of this verse is that each one of us needs to make a Sanctuary within his own heart, so that it should be a dwelling place for the Shechina (Divine Presence). Thus, when the verse says "so that I may dwell among them", it means "within the heart of every single person".
"And they shall make an Aron (in English: Ark)" (Shemot 25:10)
Regarding the ark it is written "And they shall make", in the plural. Regarding all the other vessels, it is written "And you shall make", in the singular. The reason the Ark is different is because the Torah was within the Ark, and the intention of this verse is to show us that all of us are equals when it comes to the Torah, since every single person has a portion in it. (from the Ohr HaChaim HaKodesh)
"And they shall make an Ark of accacia tree-wood; two and a half Amot (in English cubits) shall be its length, and one and a half Amot shall be its width, and and one and a half Amot shall be its height." (Shemot 25:10)
All the measurements of the Ark are not whole numbers: two and a half Amot, one and half Amot, and one and a half Amot. This is to hint that someone who learns Torah needs to regard his position as being at only the half-way point in his journey, and that he has not yet reached wholeness and completion.
"And they shall make an Ark of accacia tree-wood...And you shall overlay it with pure gold". (Shemot 25:10-11)
Wood is a plant substance which continually grows; it develops without stopping and it also bears fruit. In contrast, gold is the substance which is most stable; it doesn't rot or get rusty, and it preserves its qualities against every external influence. The ark hints at the Torah, which has both the qualities of gold, in that it is eternal, and as well as the qualities of wood, in that it grows and causes others to grow. The person that occupies himself with Torah renews himself and grows without stopping because he finds within it an infinite depth.
"And they shall make an Ark of accacia tree-wood...And you shall overlay it with pure gold". (Shemot 25:10-11)
They made the ark of wood and gold. This is a hint that the Torah belongs to everyone equally, whether we are poor or rich. The wood hints at poor people and the gold hints at rich people.
"...from inside and from outside you shall cover it..." (Shemot 25:11)
The Ark hints at Talmidei Chachamim (Torah Scholars). Thus, what is meant by the phrase "from inside and from outside you shall cover it" is that a Torah Scholar needs to be the same on the inside as he is on the outside, as is discussed in the Gemara. Also on the outside and also on the inside it needs to be recognizable that he is a Torah Scholar. In addition the Beit Halevi explains, that one should not say, it's sufficient for the Torah Scholar if I provide him with essentials such as food so that his heart can be turn towards his Torah studies, but why does the Torah Scholar need to be glorified, and why should I increase my spending for him so that he should be dignified? On this, a hint comes to us from the verse "from inside and from outside you shall cover it...". That is to say, he should also look nice on the outside, for when one supports a Torah Scholar, he should financially cover both the "inside" and the "outside"; he should have inside his house what to eat, and also on the outside, he should look nice in the eyes of people in his clothing, and his apartment, and in all his matters.
"The staves shall remain in the rings of the Ark; they shall not be removed from it." (Shemot 25:15)
The Ramban wrote that the reason it is forbidden to remove the staves is because of the great holiness of the Ark, so that one should not carry the staves when it is not necessary. And there are those who say that the Ark hints at those who learn Torah, and the staves hint at those who support the learning of Torah (such as by financial means, emotional encouragement, etc.). And this is the intention of this verse, that it is necessary to continue to support the learning of Torah without any interruption.
"And the cherubim shall be spreading out wings above, screening with their wings over the ark-cover..." (Shemot 25:20)
The cherubim had the appearance of young children, and this is a hint to the Tinokot Shel Beit Raban (young children in the house of their Torah Teachers), who learn Torah. And that is the explanation of "screening with their wings", that they (the young children) are defending all of Israel and all of the world by means of their Torah learning, as the Sages stated: "The world would not exist except for the merit of the breath of the mouths of the young children learning Torah."
"...their faces one towards another..." (Shemot 25:20)
In the Gemara it is clarified that if Israel does the will of Hashem, then the faces of the cherubim are towards one another, but if G-d forbid they don't, then their faces are not pointed that way. And there is a hint in this verse that the intention of "doing the will of Hashem" is precisely "their faces one towards the other"; that each of us needs to worry not only about himself, but also about other people. But if he worries only about himself, then that is called "not doing the will of Hashem", G-d forbid.
"...and He placed at the east of the Garden of Eden the cherubim..." (Breisheet 3:24)
Rashi says that the cherubim in this verse in the Torah Portion of Breisheet are angels of destruction, and in connection with the Aron the cherubim are a hint to Tinokot Shel Beit Raban (young children in the house of their Torah Teachers). This is because if the child is outside, we have "angels of destruction", and if he is inside the Mishkan (Tabernacle) he is holy, and we have "Tinokot Shel Beit Raban" (young children in the house of their Torah Teachers).
"On three things does the world stand, on Torah, on Avodah, and on Gemilut Chasadim." (Avot 1:2)
In the Mishkan we find hints to the three things which the world stands upon: Torah, Avodah (Divine Service), and Gemilut Chasadim (Acts of Kindness). There were 48 boards within the Mishkan, in parallel to the 48 ways of acquiring the Torah. The sacrifices represent Divine Service. And the middle bar (in Hebrew: Briach HaTikon) hints to Acts of Kindness. The Sages explain that the middle bar was made from the Eshel (tree) of Avraham Avinu a"h, where he received guests. It is written in the Targum of Yonatan Ben Uziel that the angels cut down the Eshel of Avraham and threw it into the sea, where it floated on the face of the waters. The angels shouted that the wood was from the Eshel of Avraham, so the Children of Israel took it and made the middle bar from it. There were many miracles associated with the middle bar; its measure was 70 Amot and it entered into the walls of the Mishkan from its three sides completely, like a snake. All this comes to hint to us that if we do these three things (Torah, Divine Service, and Acts of Kindness), this will bring about the revelation of the Shechina (Divine Presence), just like in the Mishkan.
The Mishkan vs. The Second Temple
The Sages say that within the Mishkan which was in the Wilderness, the revelation of Shechina occurred on a daily basis, just like on the day of Yom Kippur. Aharon the Cohen HaGadol was able to enter the Holy of Holies every day just like on Yom Kippur, and so was Moshe Rabeinu. But in the Temple of Hordus (in English: Herod), even though the Sages said that someone who did not see the building of Hordus never saw a beautiful building all his life, nonetheless the Kohen HaGadol was only able to enter within the Holy of Holies on the day of Yom Kippur. The revelation of the Shechina which occurred on Yom Kippur, did not occur every day. We see from this that even though from an external viewpoint the Temple was much more beautiful than the Mishkan (which was built from wooden boards and curtains); nonetheless, the main point is the internal aspect and not the external aspect.
The Three "Crowns" in the Mishkan
There were three Crowns in the Mishkan: the Golden Crown of the Ark which represents the Crown of Torah, the Golden Crown of the sacrificial Altar which represents the Crown of the Kehuna (i.e., the Cohen or Priestly class), and the Golden Crown of the Table which represents the Crown of Kingship. (from Rashi) Similarly, there are 3 times that the word "V'Nishma" (in English: "And we will hear") occurs in the Torah, in parallel to these three Crowns. "Naaseh V'Nishma" ("We will do and we will hear") - this corresponds to the Crown of Torah (regarding the acceptance of the Torah in the Portion of Yitro and the Portion of Mishpatim, Shemot 24:7). "Y'Nishma Kolo" ("And its voice will be heard") - this corresponds to the Crown of the Cohen (in the Torah Portion of Tetzaveh, Shemot 28:35, regarding the M'eil, the Robe of Aharon HaCohen HaGadol). "V'Nishma Pitgam HaMelech" ("And the king's saying will be heard") - this corresponds to the Crown of Kingship (from Megillat Esther 1:20).
"And you shall make it a border" (Shemot 25:25)
Regarding the Table, it is written: "And you shall make it a border" (Shemot 25:25). This comes to hint to us that at the table of a person during his meal, he needs to make a border around it, so that he doesn't fulfill all of his physical desires. (from Kli Yakar)
"And the Menorah opposite the Table" (Shemot 26:35)
"And the Menorah opposite the Table" (Shemot 26:35) The Menorah hints to Torah, as it written, "A Candle is a Mitzvah and a Torah is Light". The Table hints to Parnassah, a Livelihood. And this is the intention of "And the Menorah opposite the Table", one thing faces the other. For if there is no flour (Parnassah) there is no Torah, and if there is no Torah there is no Parnassah. (from Meforshim)
"And the Menorah opposite the Table." (Shemot 26:35)
It is written by the Ramban, that by virtue of the Menorah there is an emanation of blessing and satisfaction to all of Israel, just as in the story about the prophet Elisha (Melachim II:4) -- by virtue of the cruze of oil, all of the vessels were filled with oil.
The Torah Portion of "T'rumah" has 96 verses, 2 positive commandments and 1 negative commandment.
We take out two Torah scrolls. In the first we read the Torah Portion of the week. In the second we read the Maftir for Shabbat Rosh Chodesh from the Torah Portion of Pinchas from "U'v'yom Hashabbat" until "V'nisko". The Haftorah is "Hashamayim Kisi" (Yeshayahu 66)
We say Borchi Nafshi.
"M'shenichnas Adar Marbim B'Simcha"
"When Adar begins Happiness Increases"
May you all have a light-filled and happy Shabbat.
Shabbat Shalom.
L'ilui Neshamat HaGaon HaTzaddik R' Gershon Avigdor Ben R' Chaim ztz"l, Nilkach L'Bait Olamo Yud Gimmel Tishrei 5772
