פ’ ויקהל-פקודי תשע”ז
Volume 17, Issue 10
INSIGHTS from the SEDRA
Insights from the Sedra is a project of the Scholar’s Kollel of Great Neck. It aims to provide several questions and answers about the Sedra, culled from various commentaries, including the following: Baal Haturim, Darash Moshe, Vedebarta Bam by Rabbi Moshe Bogomilsky, Torah Treasures by Dov Furer, Wellsprings of Torah by Alexander Friedman, and Kol Dodi by Rabbi Dovid Feinstein, Great Torah Lights by Rabbi Yitzchak Meir Goodman, Something To Say by Dov Wasserman, The Vilna Gaon, and Growth Through Torah by Zelig Pliskin.
ויקהל משה את כל עדת בני ישראל ויאמר אלהם אלה הדברים אשר צוה ה’ לעשות אתם
“Moshe assembled the entire Israelite community and said to them: ‘These are the things that G-d commanded, to do them.’” (35:1)
QUESTION: The words “to do them” appear superfluous?
ANSWER: “Vayakheil” indicates that Moshe made a “convention” of Bnei Yisrael. It is normal for a convention to consist of speeches, thoughts, and resolutions which do not lead to concrete results. Hashem commanded Moshe to ensure that the thoughts and resolutions shared at this “convention” were “la’asot otam” – brought down to actual practical results. (Vedebarta Bam)
ביום השביעי יהיה לכם קדש שבת שבתון לה’
“The seventh day shall be holy, a Sabbath of rest to G-d.” (35:2)
QUESTION: It would be sufficient to say, “קדש שבתון לה'” – holy, a day of rest to G-d.” The word “Shabbat” seems extra?
ANSWER: The word “Shabbat” is an acronym for שנה בשבת תענוג, which can be read in two ways:
1) שנה בשבת תענוג – Shinah Ba’Shabbat Ta’anug – “Studying Torah on Shabbat is a delight”.
2) שנה בשבת תענוג – Sheinah Ba’Shabbat Ta’anug – “Sleeping on Shabbat is a delight”.
Workers and business people who do not have much time to study Torah during the week should intensify their study of Torah on Shabbat. However, Torah scholars who study Torah the entire week should fulfill the mitzvah of Oneg Shabbat, by indulging a bit in eating and drinking since they experience the delight of Torah study throughout the week. (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 290).
Thus, the acronyms of the word “Shabbat” are a directive to all of Klal Yisrael, teaching each respective group a mode of conduct for the holy day of Shabbat. (Miyesod al Pninim Yekarim)
לא תבערו אש בכל משבתיכם ביום השבת
“You shall not kindle fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day.” (35:3)
QUESTION: Why does the Torah single out this prohibition and not any of the other 39 major forbidden activities?
ANSWER: Heated fights and arguments are like fire: Unfortunately, they destroy many homes, partnerships and relationships. When people are busy, they do not have time to argue and fight. Because Shabbat is a day of rest, the Torah warns, “Beware not to kindle the “fire of dispute” on the Shabbat day. Keep yourself busy with Torah study and davening, and avoid idleness.
It is interesting to note that the last letters of the words תבערו אש בכל משבתיכם – spell the word שלום – peace. This hints that, especially on Shabbat, we should exert all effort to keep the peace. (Shelah HaKodesh)
קחו מאתכם תרומה לה’
“Take from amongst yourselves a portion for Hashem.” (35:5)
What does “from amongst yourselves” mean? There are certain times that a person does not really want to donate money, yet he does so because of peer pressure. He sees other people giving and is embarrassed not to give. The Torah is telling him: Take from “amongst yourselves,” from your own heart. Give of your own free will because you want to fulfill the mitzvah. (Kli Yakar)
זהב וכסף ונחשת ותכלת וארגמן ולולעת שני ושש ועזים
“Gold, silver, copper, turquoise, purple, and scarlet wool, linen and goat hair…” (35:5-8)
Moshe reiterates to Bnei Yisrael the necessary offerings needed for the work of the Mishkan. He enumerates the thirteen items the Tribes were to donate and specifies the detail the parts of the Mishkan to be made from these offerings. Thirteen things were donated for the Mishkan through which Bnei Yisrael demonstrated that Hashem is One in the world. The Hebrew word for one is אחד, which has the numerical value of 13. (Divrei Shalom)
וכל אשה חכמת לב בידיה טוו
“Every wise-hearted woman spun with her hands…” (35:25)
At the time that one fulfills a mitzvah, he sanctifies his actions. For one to wholly fulfill the will of Hashem, one must be mekadesh his thoughts as well. The Torah is telling us that the women performed their mitzvoth for the Mishkan in the most optimal manner: “chochmas lev” – they performed them with their hearts in the proper place, with correct intentions; “b’yadeha tavu” – they performed the mitzvoth with the proper actions. (Aderet Eliyahu)
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