Sheises yamim tei'aseh melacha u'vayom ha'shevi'i yih'yeh lachem Kodesh Shabbos Shabbason l'Hashem kol ha'oseh bo melacha yumas (35:2)

In Parshas Vayakhel, the mitzvah of observing Shabbos is related before the commandment to build the Mishkan. In Parshas Ki Sisa, however, the order is reversed (31:1-17). The Meshech Chochmah notes that Rashi explains that Shabbos is written first in our parsha to teach that the building of the Mishkan may not be done on Shabbos. If so, why is the order in last week's parsha different?

Rav Meir Simcha explains that after the Mishkan was actually constructed and assembled, the Divine Service which took place inside was performed on Shabbos, even thought it often involved otherwise-forbidden labors. This is because the purpose of Shabbos is to testify to Hashem's Kingship, in particular with respect to His Creation of the universe. In the Mishkan, the Divine Presence was palpable and tangible. As such, it was permissible to perform the Service there, since the Kohen doing so was able to feel and testify to Hashem's dominion. Before the Mishkan was fully erected, the Shechinah didn't yet rest inside. Work on its construction was consequently forbidden, as it didn't yet offer an alternative means to reach the goal of the observance of Shabbos.

Before the sin of the golden calf, however, the Divine Presence rested throughout the entire Jewish camp, and the Mishkan was intended to serve as a place for additional holiness. At that time, it would have been permissible even to construct the Mishkan on Shabbos for the same reason that it was later permitted to offer sacrifices inside once it was completed. In Parshas Ki Sisa, the Torah is addressing the Jews on their pre-sin level. Just as Rashi writes that here Shabbos is mentioned before the Mishkan to teach that it may not be built on Shabbos, the order is reversed in Parshas Ki Sisa to teach that at that time, the building of the Mishkan was indeed permissible even on Shabbos.

V'chol hanashim asher nasah liban osana b'chochma tavu es ha'izim (35:26)

Rashi writes that the women displayed special skills and wisdom in spinning the goats' hair while it was still attached to the goats. Why did the women spin the hair in this seemingly awkward and inefficient manner, and what unique intelligence did they display in doing so?

The Ostrovtzer Rebbe explains that the women feared that they would be exempt from the mitzvah to build the Mishkan. As it may not be built on Shabbos (Rashi 35:2), it is considered a positive time-bound commandment, in which women are not obligated. Although a person who is exempt from a mitzvah and nevertheless performs it receives reward for his actions, the Gemora in Kiddushin (31a) teaches that the reward for a person who is obligated in a mitzvah is much greater.

The reason why the Mishkan may not be built on Shabbos is that the creative labors involved in its construction are forbidden on Shabbos. However, it is Biblically permissible to perform the 39 forbidden activities in an unusual way. Therefore, the women specifically spun the goats' hair in an unconventional fashion which is Biblically permitted on Shabbos in order to demonstrate that it is possible to work on the construction of the Mishkan even on Shabbos. If so, it is no longer considered a time-bound commandment, which would mean that the women were obligated to assist with it, thereby making them eligible for a much larger reward.

Alternatively, Rav Yonason Eibeshutz suggests that among the Jewish women, there were surely some who were ritually impure at the time. Those women feared that they would be left out of the building of the Mishkan, as any item they touched would immediately contract their impurity and be rendered unfit for use in the Mishkan. However, they wisely recognized that live animals don't become impure through contact. By spinning the hair while it was still attached to the live goats, they were able to have a share in the Mishkan's construction without rendering it impure.

Finally, the K'sav Sofer, Pardes Yosef, and Rav Shlomo Kluger all explain that the women of the generation desperately wanted to contribute to the building of the Mishkan. However, they recognized that Jewish law views any acquisition of a woman as belonging to her husband (Sanhedrin 71a), apparently leaving them without any possessions of their own to donate.

However, the women realized that the Gemora in Kesuvos explains (47b) that whatever a woman produces, which should rightfully be hers, belongs to her husband as a result of a Rabbinical decree requiring him to provide her with food to eat. Recognizing that in the desert they were miraculously sustained by the Manna which fell daily, the women had no need to receive food from their husbands. Therefore, they wisely chose to keep what they produced - including the goat-hair - for themselves so that they could donate their own possessions to the Mishkan.

Vayevareich osam Moshe (39:43)

After all of the requisite components of the Mishkan had finally been built and were ready to be assembled, they were brought to Moshe for inspection. After determining that everything had been done precisely as Hashem had commanded, the Torah records that Moshe blessed the people, but omits the content of his blessing. Rashi elucidates that Moshe blessed the people that the Divine Presence should rest upon their work. Although this is a meaningful blessing, it seems completely unnecessary. Hadn't Hashem already promised the Jewish people (25:8) that if they built the Mishkan according to His instructions that He would dwell within? Was Moshe simply blessing the people that Hashem should keep His word to them?

The lesson of the following story will help us appreciate the profound depth of Moshe's true blessing. A businessman once approached Rav Yehuda Assad for advice about a potential venture. He explained that an abandoned lot was for sale for a good price, and he was confident that with his entrepreneurial skills and hard work, he would be able to build a business there which would be very successful. After listening to the details of the proposal, the Rav advised him not to proceed.

A short while later, a second man came to Rav Assad to inquire about purchasing the identical piece of property. In presenting his case for wanting to do so, the man explained that he was optimistic that with a lot of effort and Heavenly assistance, he would make a nice profit from the project. After listening to the man's reasoning, the Rav agreed that the opportunity was a good one and encouraged him to pursue it.

When the original businessman heard that somebody else had purchased the property with the support of the Rav, he was quite upset and approached Rav Assad to demand an explanation for his seemingly contradictory advice. The Rav explained that as he listened to each of the two men explain their rationales for wanting to buy the lot, there was one critical difference between them.

The first man had assumed that he would be successful solely due to his talents and hard work, a formula that the Rav recognized was doomed to failure, so he advised against going ahead with the deal. The second advice-seeker, on the other hand, had said that he was hopeful that his efforts combined with Hashem's help would enable him to make a profit. When the Rav heard him include Hashem in his calculations, he saw the potential for success and recommended that the man proceed with his plan.

In light of this story, Rav Mordechai Kamenetzky suggests that when the Jewish people brought the parts of the Mishkan to Moshe for assembly, he became concerned. For the first time since the Exodus from Egypt, they had undertaken a project which required tremendous artistry and craftsmanship. There was a danger that the people would fall prey to the temptation to arrogantly take credit for their creation. Although Hashem had promised to dwell in the assembled Mishkan, Moshe was worried that, just like the first businessman, the people might be so focused on their own sense of achievement that they might not be interested in partnering with Hashem. Therefore, Moshe blessed them that they should never forget that everything that they had accomplished was only because of Hashem's assistance, and they should recognize that their ultimate success would be determined by their willingness to allow the Divine Presence to enter the beautiful edifice that they were about to assemble.

Answers to the weekly Points to Ponder are now available!
To receive the full version with answers email the author at oalport@optonline.net.

Parsha Points to Ponder (and sources which discuss them):

1) Moshe told the Jewish people that Hashem selected Betzalel to build the Mishkan and explained to them that He also bestowed upon Betzalel all of the necessary talents and skills to perform the job. One of the qualities that Moshe mentioned is (35:34) the ability to teach. Once Betzalel possessed the requisite knowledge, why was it necessary to specifically give him the ability to teach? (Ibn Ezra, Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh, Ayeles HaShachar)

2) Why did Hashem select Oholiav to build the Mishkan with Betzalel? (Shemos Rabbah 40:4)

3) As the Mishkan is considered to be a microcosm of the entire universe, its building and assembly should be similar to the creation of the world in Parshas Bereishis. What parallels can you find between the two? (Ohr Gedalyahu)

  © 2014 by Oizer Alport. Permission is granted to reproduce and distribute as long as credit is given. To receive weekly via email or to send comments or suggestions, write to parshapotpourri@optonline.net