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‫חדֶשׁ הוּקַם הַמִּשְׁכָּן׃‬

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This week we will complete sefer Shemot, the book of Galut not obvious they went home or went to work rather than
and Geula. The final two Parshiot begin with Moshe gathering waiting around patiently for the next speech?
Bnei Yisrael and speaking to them: The answer provided by Oznaim Latorah is fascinating. When
ֶ ‫ש ָראֵ ל ַו ּי‬
‫ֹאמר אֲ לֵהֶ ם אֵ לּ ֶה הַ ְדּ בָ ִרים‬ ׂ ְ ‫ת־כל־ע ֲַדת ְ ּבנֵי ִי‬
‫ׇּ‬ ֶ‫ַו ּי ְַקהֵ ל מ ׁ ֶֹשה א‬ a person, such as a Rav, wishes to raise funds, they are faced
‫שֹת א ָֹתם׃‬ ׂ ‫אֲ ׁ ֶשר־צִ ּוָה ה’ ַל ֲע‬ with a problem – people simply do not like the topic of
And Moshe gathered all the congregation of the children of fundraising. They like hearing Divrei Torah and nice stories
Yisrael together, and said to them, These are the words which from the Rav, but not appeals for donations. Therefore, a Rav,
the Lord has commanded, that you should do them. or a community leader, will often take the following approach.
They will reach out to their audience with another, more
The Midrash (Lekach Tov, Shemot 35:1) says, each speech and
alluring, subject matter, such as an emergency session on
action in this episode comes to atone for ‫ח ְטא הָ עֵ גֶל‬,
ֵ and a list
education or the wellbeing of community youth. After luring in
of textual parallels is presented:
their audience and grabbing their attention by addressing that
• Moshe’s gathering (‫ ) ַו ּי ְַקהֵ ל מ ׁ ֶֹשה‬atones for the people topic superficially, they’ll pivot to the real matter at hand: “In
gathering around Aharon (‫) ַו ִ ּי ָּקהֵ ל הָ עָ ם עַ ל אַ הֲ רֹן‬. order to achieve the vital objective just outlined, we will need
• Moshe’s speech (‫ֹאמר אֲ לֵיהֶ ם מ ׁ ֶֹשה‬ ֶ ‫ ) ַו ּי‬atones for the funding. Lots of it.” They might then lay out a campaign, with
people’s speech (‫ֹאמר ּו אֵ לָיו קוּם ֲע ֵׂשה לָנ ּו אֱ ל ִֹהים‬ ְ ‫) ַו ּי‬. precise details on how much each person should contribute
• The presentation of instructions (‫ )אֵ לּ ֶה הַ ְדּ בָ ִרים‬atones for and over what timeframe, and execution of the plan would
the presentation of the calf (‫ש ָראֵ ל‬ ָ ֶ‫)אֵ לּ ֶה אֱ ל ֹה‬.
ׂ ְ ‫יך ִי‬ commence as people exited the room. That is the playbook,
• Giving of gold for the Mishkan (‫ )נְ ִתינַת זָהָ ב הַ ְּתנוּפָ ה‬atones but there is one major problem. As the topic switches from A
for giving of gold for the calf (‫)נְ ִתינַת זָהָ ב הָ עֵ גֶל‬. to B, one by one people will find a way to leave the room
• Overall, building of the Mishkan (‫ש ּו לִ י ִמ ְקדָּ ׁש‬ ׂ ‫ ) ַו ֲע‬atones for prematurely. It is astounding to watch how many phantom
phone calls will suddenly come in, each no doubt answered
building of the calf (‫) ֲע ֵׂשה לָנ ּו אֱ ל ִֹהים‬.
with, “Oh no. I’ll be right there!” People will find all sorts of
I would like to expand upon a wonderful idea from Oznaim ways to squirm out and not be present for the real message
Latorah 1. The Torah tells us Moshe spoke to Bnei Yisrael and appeal. It becomes much easier to not give that way!
about two matters: Shabbat and the Mishkan, and both are
Oznaim Latorah says, Moshe was set to speak to Bnei Yisrael
prefaced with an introduction of Moshe speaking. First, we are
about the Mishkan, which required a contribution from each
told: ‫ֹאמר אֲ לֵהֶ ם‬ ׂ ְ ‫ ַו ּי ְַקהֵ ל מ ׁ ֶֹשה אֶ ת ּכָל ע ֲַדת ְ ּבנֵי ִי‬, and again
ֶ ּ‫ש ָראֵ ל ַוי‬
person. How was he to begin? With a message of, “Donations!
three pesukim later: ‫ש ָראֵ ל לֵאמֹר‬ ׂ ְ ‫ֹאמר מ ׁ ֶֹשה אֶ ל ּכָל ע ֲַדת ְ ּבנֵי ִי‬ ֶ ּ‫ ַוי‬. If
We need your donations!” or similar? Nobody would show up!
these two topics were presented at the same time, and in the
So instead, he called an urgent meeting with regards to
same place, why the need for a re-introduction? Oznaim
Shabbat matters and began the meeting by saying, “Rabbotai,
Latorah adds a second question- The final speech regarding
I just came down from Har Sinai, and want to relay some very
the Mishkan concludes with ‫ש ָראֵ ל ִמ ּ ִלפְ נֵי מ ׁ ֶֹשה‬ ׂ ְ ‫ַו ּיֵצְ א ּו ּכָל ע ֲַדת ְ ּבנֵי ִי‬
important information regarding Shabbat observance.” He
– And all the congregation of the children of Yisrael departed
had everyone’s complete and undivided attention. It was the
from the presence of Moshe (Shemot 35:20). Why is this
day after Yom Kippur. Who wouldn’t arrive early for that
necessary? Nowhere else in the Torah are we told, that after
speech! And then suddenly, mid-sentence, Moshe pivoted to
Moshe finished speaking, the people stood up and left. Is it
his campaign and all that was needed for the Mishkan.

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 ’‫ש ָראֵ ל לֵאמֹר זֶה הַ דָּ בָ ר אֲ ׁ ֶשר־צִ ָ ּוה ה‬ ׂ ְ ‫ל־כל־ע ֲַדת ְ ּבנֵי־ ִי‬
‫ֹאמר מ ׁ ֶֹשה אֶ ּ ׇ‬ ֶ ‫ַו ּי‬ could not be performed on Shabbat. Rabbeinu Ephraim 5
’‫לֵאמֹר׃ ְקח ּו ֵמ ִא ְּתכֶ ם ְּתרו ָּמה לַה’ כּ ֹל נְ ִדיב לִ בּ ֹו י ְִביאֶ הָ אֵ ת ְּתרו ַּמת ה‬ challenges this approach, however, based on the principle
‫ֹשת׃‬ֶ ׁ ‫זָהָ ב וָכֶ סֶ ף וּנְ ח‬ that a positive commandment never overrides a negative
And Moshe spoke to all the congregation of Bnei Yisrael, saying, commandment. If building the Mishkan is a positive
This is the thing which the Lord commanded, Take from among commandment and observing the Shabbat both a positive and
you an offering to the Lord: whoever is of a willing heart, let him negative one, why is this connection and extra learning even
bring it, an offering of the Lord; gold, and silver, and brass… needed? It should be obvious! He answers, we might have
What would have ordinarily taken place before Moshe thought the positive commandment did supersede the
concluded? Many people would be half-way home, proud of negative in this case, because we see that sacrificing
their shrewd ability to escape intact. This time, however, korbanot in the Mishkan was performed on Shabbat.
nobody left! ‫ש ָראֵ ל‬ ׂ ְ ‫ – ַו ּיֵצְ א ּו ּכָל ע ֲַדת ְ ּבנֵי ִי‬The Torah is telling us Therefore, its construction might also be permitted. Through
that for the first, and perhaps only time in history, there was linking the two matters side by side, the Torah is telling us
an appeal launched where everyone stayed glued to their korbanot (communal, not private) do supersede Shabbat, but
seats, focused on the mission. And when Moshe was finished its construction does not.
speaking, they rushed home to collect what was requested – The Alsheich HaKadosh 6 asks why that is. Namely, why
even surpassing the goals and requiring Moshe to announce shouldn’t the Mishkan’s construction also override the various
‫שוּ־עוֹד ְמלָאכָה לִ ְתרו ַּמת הַ ּק ֶֹד ׁש‬ ׂ ‫ – אַ ל־ ַי ֲע‬we have enough, please prohibitions of melacha (work) on Shabbat? Why is
bring no more. ‫ִכלֵא הָ עָ ם ֵמהָ ִביא‬ ָ ּ ‫ – ַו ּי‬The people had to be construction different than korbanot? He answers, a sacrifice,
restrained from donating more! if not offered within its prescribed time, expires and is
We’ll now dive into these two topics – Shabbat and the disqualified. Construction is not the same. however, and what
Mishkan, and also touch upon Rosh Chodesh Nisan that is wasn’t carried out today can be done first thing tomorrow
approaching. As stated earlier, Chazal comment on our morning. The Alsheich HaKadosh provides a second answer,
opening pasuk (Midrash Lekach Tov, Shemot 35:1): as well. It is one thing to defer the rules of Shabbat for
something holy, but the Mishkan, prior to being built, had no
‫ ִדּ כְ ִתיב ַו ּי ְַקהֵ ל מ ׁ ֶֹשה אֶ ת ּכָל ע ֲַדת ְ ּבנֵי‬,ּ‫ּ ָתבוֹא ְק ִהלּ ַת מ ׁ ֶֹשה ַר ֵּבינו‬ intrinsic ‫ּשה‬
ָ ׁ ‫ – ְקדו‬holiness. The Shechina did not yet reside in
.‫ ׁ ֶש ּנֶאֱ ַמר ַו ִ ּי ָּקהֵ ל הָ עָ ם עַ ל אַ הֲ רֹן‬,‫ וִ יכַ ּ ֵפר עַ ל ְק ִהלּ ַת אַ הֲ רֹן‬,‫ש ָראֵ ל‬
ׂ ְ ‫ִי‬ the Mishkan, so there is no question whatsoever that Shabbat
The gathering of Moshe, as it is said, 'And Moshe gathered all rules could not be superseded by the handling of mundane
the congregation of the children of Israel,' will come to atone for boards and materials. Once built and housing the Shechina,
the gathering of Aharon, as it is said, 'And the people gathered only then would it supersede Shabbat, as seen with the
themselves together unto Aharon.'" korbanot. But not its preparation and construction.
Rabbi Yaakov Kaminetsky 2 says (Emet L’Yaakov, Vayakhel), There is more to explore here. The dialogue from Moshe
‫ ֵח ְטא הָ עֵ גֶל‬sparked divisiveness within Bnei Yisrael that Rabbeinu, beginning with his gathering and uniting Bnei
equaled the division within the people prior to Matan Torah. Yisrael, takes place the morning after Yom Kippur, and this
At Matan Torah, we are told ‫ש ָראֵ ל ְּכ ִא ׁיש אֶ חָ ד ְ ּבלֵב אֶ חָ ד‬ ׂ ְ ‫– ַו ּיִחַ ן ִי‬ was not the ordinary Yom Kippur. Hakadosh Baruch Hu had
the people were united like one, to a degree never reached just agreed to forgive Bnei Yisrael and provide a place for His
before, or again. Immediately after ‫ח ְטא הָ עֵ גֶל‬, ֵ however, Presence to dwell amongst them – the Mishkan. So, why start
discord and dispute reared their ugly heads. In the Talmud with a message regarding anything else? Everyone was
Yerushalmi (Sanhedrin 10:2), Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai says expecting the Mishkan to be the next item on the agenda!
Bnei Yisrael forged 13 golden calves at Har Sinai. Explaining Therefore, there is more to Shabbat being included in this first
an apparent inconsistency between two pesukim found in message than just a Halacha lesson. In the same way the
Shemot (32:4) – ‫ש ָראֵ ל‬ ׂ ְ ‫יך ִי‬ ָ ֶ‫( אֵ לּ ֶה אֱ ל ֹה‬plural) – and Nechemia
ָ ָ ֶ‫( זֶה אֱ ל ֹה‬singular) – he teaches that Mishkan came to atone for the sin of the golden calf, so too
(9:19) – ‫שר הֶ עֶ לְ ך ִמ ִּמצְ ָר ִים‬ ֶ ׁ ֲ‫יך א‬ Shabbat contains an element of ‫ ּ ַכ ּ ָפ ָרה‬for ‫ח ְטא הָ עֵ גֶל‬. ֵ How so?
Bnei Yisrael started with one communal idol, but a dispute The Gemara Shabbat 118b says:
then erupted as to who would lead the service. Each tribe split
off from the group and created their own, resulting in a total of ,ֹ‫ש ּ ָבת ְּכ ִהלְ כָתו‬ ַ ׁ ‫ ּ ׇכל הַ ְמ‬:‫אָ ַמר ַר ִ ּבי ִח ּיָיא ּ ַבר אַ ּ ָבא אָ ַמר ַר ִ ּבי יוֹחָ נָן‬
ַ ׁ ‫ש ּ ֵמר‬
13 golden calves. (Shevet Levi did not participate, but both ‫ ״אַ ׁ ְש ֵרי‬:‫ ׁ ֶש ּנֶאֱ ַמר‬,ֹ‫]כדוֹר[ אֱ נו ֹׁש — מוֹחֲ לִ ין לו‬ ְּ ‫אֲ פִ ילּ ּו עוֹבֵ ד עֲבו ָֹדה ז ָָרה‬
the tribes of Ephraim and Menashe each had their own calf.) .‫״מחוּל לוֹ״‬ ָ :‫״מחַ ּ ְללוֹ״ אֶ לּ ָא‬ ֵ ‫ אַ ל ִּת ְק ֵרי‬.‫אֱ נו ֹׁש ַי ֲע ֶׂשה זֹּאת וְ גוֹ׳ ֵמחַ ּ ְללוֹ״‬
Moshe’s first task after ‫ ֵח ְטא הָ עֵ גֶל‬was to restore unity, thus: Anyone who observes Shabbat in accordance with its halachot,
‫ש ָראֵ ל‬ׂ ְ ‫ת־כל־ע ֲַדת ְ ּבנֵי ִי‬
‫ׇּ‬ ֶ‫ – ַו ּי ְַקהֵ ל מ ׁ ֶֹשה א‬he gathered them all. even if he worships idolatry as in the generation of Enosh, G-d
forgives his sins, as it is stated: “Fortunate is the man [enosh]
Chazal ask why the parsha of Shabbat is aligned to the parsha who does this, one who guards the Shabbat from desecrating it
of the Mishkan? Along the lines of Oznaim Latorah’s [mecḥallelo], and guards his hand from doing any evil”. Do not
commentary, if another topic was needed to introduce the read it as: From desecrating it [mecḥallelo], but rather: He is
Mishkan, any would have sufficed. And if an introduction was forgiven [macḥul lo].
not needed, even more so, why deliver the message of Proper observance of Shabbat can result in even the grave
Shabbat just prior to focusing on the Mishkan? Rashi 3 says, sin of avodah zara being atoned for. By opening his dialogue
based on the Mechilta d’Rabbi Yishmael 4, it indicates that with it, Moshe told Bnei Yisrael that ‫ ֵח ְטא הָ עֵ גֶל‬was avodah
building of the Mishkan does not supersede Shabbat and zara, and not only will the Mishkan atone for it, but Shabbat

~2~
as well – i.e., working six days and observing Shabbat on the ‫ ִרבּ וֹנ ֹו‬,‫ש ּ ָבת לִ פְ נֵי הַ ָּקד ֹו ׁש ּ ָברו ְּך הוּא‬ ַ ׁ ‫ אָ ְמ ָרה‬,‫ּ ָתנֵי ַר ִ ּבי ׁ ִש ְמעוֹן ֶּבן יוֹחָ אי‬
seventh. Even so, why open with Shabbat? It wasn’t a new ‫ אָ ַמר ל ָּה הַ ָּקדו ֹׁש ּ ָברו ְּך הוּא‬.‫ וְ לִ י אֵ ין ֶּבן זוּג‬,‫ׁ ֶשל ע ֹולָם לְ כֻ לּ ָן י ֵׁש ֶּבן זוּג‬
concept, having been presented to Bnei Yisrael on multiple ‫ש ָראֵ ל לִ פְ נֵי הַ ר ִסינַי אָ ַמר‬ ׂ ְ ‫ וְ כֵ יוָן ׁ ֶשעָ ְמד ּו ִי‬.‫ש ָראֵ ל ִהיא ֶּבן ז ּוג ְֵך‬
ׂ ְ ‫ְּכנֶסֶ ת ִי‬
occasions already. The Mishkan, and its element of ‫ש ָראֵ ל‬ ׂ ְ ‫ ְּכנֶסֶ ת ִי‬,‫ש ּ ָבת‬ ַ ׁ ְ‫לָהֶ ם הַ ָּקדו ֹׁש ּ ָברו ְּך הוּא זִ כְ ר ּו הַ דָּ בָ ר ׁ ֶשאָ ַמ ְר ִּתי ל‬
atonement, was brand new though. Why did Moshe not lead ַ ּ ׁ ַ‫ זָכוֹר אֶ ת יוֹם ה‬:(‫ ח‬,‫ הַ יְנ ּו ִדּ בּ וּר )שמות כ‬,‫ִהיא ֶּבן ז ּוג ְֵך‬
.ֹ‫ש ּ ָבת לְ ַק ְד ׁשו‬
with the Mishkan, and then add an addendum regarding Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai taught: Shabbat pleaded with
Shabbat? Furthermore, when Shabbat was mentioned in the Hakadosh Baruch Hu saying: "Everyone else has a partner, but
past, none of those instances mentioned atonement. Why? I have nothing!" G-d answered: "The community of Israel will
The answer is, not only does Shabbat atone like the Mishkan, be your partner. When they stood before Sinai, G-d said to Bnei
Yisrael: ‘Remember what I said to Shabbat, that the community
but its importance is greater than the Mishkan. Netivot Da’at 7 of Israel is your partner, [in the words of the Torah] "Remember
explains, the Mishkan would not be permanent, standing only Shabbat and keep it holy.’"
480 years. The Beit Hamikdash also served that purpose, but
it too had a temporary presence of 830 years. Shabbat is ‫ֶנצַח‬ What does it mean every day has a partner? Each of the
and ‫ – לָעַ ד וּלְ עוֹלְ ֵמי ע ֹול ִָמים‬forever and for all eternity. week’s days pairs up with another, resulting in three pairs plus
one remainder – Shabbat. Generally, a ‫ – זוּג‬a pair or couple,
There are two explanations of this power for Shabbat to atone. has a common goal, to continue their way of life and legacy.
The first is simple – a human being acknowledges, through The zug of Bnei Yisrael and Shabbat is no different.
Shabbat observance, that Hakadosh Baruch Hu created the
world in six days and rested on the seventh. Hakadosh Baruch The Vilna Gaon 11, however, says this is the incorrect pairing.
Hu, and not an idol or deity. He quotes a different Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 12:5) that says
everything created during the six days of Creation only had its
The second explanation is derived through the Yalkut ‘offspring’ or ‘descendant’ produced three days later:
Shimoni 8 (Shemot 408:2), which points out this is the sole
parsha to begin with the word ‫ – ַו ּי ְַקהֵ ל‬gather: • On Day 2, the heavens and earth were created, and their
toladot – the sun and moon, sky, planets and stars – took
‫אָ ַמר הקב"ה ֲע ֵׂשה לְ ָך ְק ִהלּ וֹת ְ ּגדוֹלוֹת ו ְּדרו ֹׁש לִ פְ נֵיהֶ ם ּ ָב ַר ִ ּבים ִהלְ כוֹת‬ form and became visible on Day 4
ַ ׁ ‫ש ּ ָבת ְּכ ֵדי ׁ ֶש ּיִלְ ְמד ּו ִמ ְּמ ָך דּ וֹרוֹת הַ ּ ָב ִאים לְ הַ ְק ִהיל ְק ִהלּ וֹת ְ ּבכָל‬
‫ש ּ ָבת‬ ַׁ • On Day 2, the upper and lower waters were divided, and
‫ש ָראֵ ל ִד ְב ֵרי תו ָֹרה‬ ׂ ְ ‫ש ּ ָבת וְ לִ כְ נֹס ְ ּבבָ ּ ֵתי ִמ ְד ָר ׁשוֹת לְ ל ּ ֵַמד וּלְ הוֹרוֹת לְ ִי‬ ַ ׁ ְ‫ו‬ then on Day 5, fish were created to fill the water.
.‫ִא ּסוּר וְ הֶ ּ ֵתר ְּכ ֵדי ׁ ֶש ּיְהֵ א ׁ ְש ִמי הַ ּגָדוֹל ִמ ְת ַקלּ ֵס ֵּבין ּ ָבנַי‬
• On Day 3, the waters gathered and the dried land
The Holy One, Blessed be He, said: Make for yourself great became visible. Then on Day 6, animals and human
assemblies and study before them many laws of Shabbat, so that beings were created to roam that land.
future generations will learn from you to gather in
congregations every Shabbat and to enter the synagogues to The Vilna Gaon says, each day had a partner in the form of
learn and to teach the children of Israel the words of Torah, what an ‘accompanying creation’, except for Shabbat. What is
is forbidden and what is permitted, so that My great name will Shabbat’s partner? Knesset Yisrael. And for what purpose?
not be profaned among My children. The Torah. The Tur points to ‫ש ּ ָבת‬ ַ ּ ׁ ַ‫ש ָראֵ ל אֶ ת־ה‬ ָ ׁ ְ‫ ו‬in the
ׂ ְ ‫ש ְמר ּו ְבנֵי־ ִי‬
How would Moshe’s gathering atone for the earlier gathering same pasuk as ‫ש ּ ָבת‬ ׂ ‫ ַל ֲע‬. The first term is one of
ַ ּ ׁ ַ‫שוֹת אֶ ת־ה‬
around Aharon? By way of bringing people together on guarding and restraint – i.e., not to perform any work – while
Shabbat, to learn about it and observe it. Sefer Shefa Chaim 9 the second is proactive, reflecting what we are to do on that
writes, in the same way the atonement for many sins is to day. The result is a ‫ – ְ ּב ִרית ע ֹולָם‬an everlasting covenant. That
open the right sefarim and properly learn their Halachot in is how Shabbat serves as ‫ ּ ַכ ּ ָפ ָרה‬for ‫ח ְטא הָ עֵ גֶל‬. ֵ Through our
order to observe them correctly, the same is true for Shabbat. actions on Shabbat.
Learning Hilchot Shabbat is the ‫ ּ ַכ ּ ָפ ָרה‬referenced here. The If both the Mishkan and Shabbat served as atonement for
extra hour we were just given on Shabbat afternoon can serve ֵ the following question must be asked. How long did
‫ח ְטא הָ עֵ גֶל‬,
a great purpose! it take to build the Mishkan? The answer is 70 days, from the
With this, we can understand the Tur 10 (Orach Chaim 290): 15th of Tishrei when instructions and materials were handed
to the builders, until the 25th of Kislev. If so, why was it only
‫ש ָראֵ ל לָאָ ֶרץ זֶה ָרץ‬ ׂ ְ ‫ ְּכ ׁ ֶש ּי ִּכָנְ ס ּו ִי‬,‫ רבש"ע‬:‫אָ ְמ ָרה ּתו ָֹרה לִ פְ נֵי הקב"ה‬
stood up and opened for business on the first of Nisan? If it
‫ י ֵׁש לִ י זוּג ׁ ֶשאֲ נִ י‬:‫ש ֵדה ּו וַאֲ נִ י ַמה ְּתהֵ א עָ לַי? אָ ַמר ל ָּה‬ ָׂ ְ‫לְ כַ ְרמ ֹו וְ זֶה ָרץ ל‬
was meant to serve as atonement, what good did it do in
.‫ש ּ ָבת ׁ ְשמ ֹו ׁ ֶשהֵ ם ְ ּב ֵטלִ ים ִמ ְּמלָאַ כְ ּ ָתם וִ יכוֹלִ ין ַל ֲעסֹק ּ ָב ְך‬
ַ ׁ ְ‫ְמ ַז ֵ ּוג ל ְָך ו‬
containers for over three months?
The Torah said before G-d: "Master of the Universe, when Bnei
Furthermore, how was all that work done so quickly? A small
Yisrael enter this land, one will run to his vineyard and another
will run to his field, but what will become of me?" G-d replied to kitchen takes at least one or two months, when the materials
her, "I have a pair who I will match together for you, and its are custom-measured and stacked neatly by the door next to
name is Shabbat, when Bnei Yisrael are exempt from work and the latest power tools ready to be plugged in. There is also
will be able to engage with you." easy access to the work site, with no sand to trudge through.
On Shabbat, there is nothing to take care of in the home, Bnei Yisrael didn’t exactly have any of those tools or perfectly
fields, or office. And there is a limit to how much one can sized raw materials, and there was plenty of sand! How did
sleep. People will be left with nothing to do but learn Torah. they handle the extensive work with gold? How did farmers
The origin the Tur’s words is a Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 11:8): and slave laborers suddenly know how to cut gigantic beams

~3~
to precise specifications, or weave delicate fabrics with hands above Bnei Yisrael throughout that time, with all their perks,
accustomed to working with rough bricks and stone? Just and producing a unique situation where Bnei Yisrael did not
imagine those hardened fingers trying to thread a needle! differentiate day and night by way of the sun and moon. They
How was this job completed so well and so rapidly? The instead knew when it was Rosh Chodesh through
answer is simple. It was a miracle! The Mishkan was built calculations. If so, why was there a rush to teach the subject
through ‫נִ ִסים‬. But why was that necessary? They could have of ‫ ִקדּ ו ּׁש הַ ח ֶֹד ׁש‬on Nisan in Egypt?
worked slowly, improving at the job as they progressed, and Immediately after ‫ ִקדּ ו ּׁש הַ ח ֶֹד ׁש‬we find Moshe commanded to
even re-doing a few items along the way. Afterall, they had gather all Bnei Yisrael – ‫ש ָראֵ ל‬ ׂ ְ ‫ – דַּ ְ ּבר ּו אֶ ל ּכָל ע ֲַדת ִי‬just like the
until Nisan to get the job done, so why cram it all into 70 days? instruction given to him at the start of Parshat Vayakhel.
The Midrash asks this question and provides several answers Moshe was to inform them regarding Korban Pesach.
revolving around Hakadosh Baruch Hu wanting the Mishkan Midrash Hagadol 14 says, Moshe was required to gather
to be dedicated in the same month Yitzchak Avinu was born, every single member, and speak to each directly, just like at
or on his actual birthday, or on the day Avraham was told of Hakhel. Once again regarding timing, why was there a need
Yitzchak’s impending birth. to ensure each member of Bnei Yisrael received instructions
Be’er Yosef 12 provides a different, and wonderful, answer. If on Rosh Chodesh Nisan? There were still ten days to go
the Mishkan came to atone for ‫ח ְטא הָ עֵ גֶל‬, ֵ part of that before they had to act, and Moshe could have begun the
atonement was exactly this – the wait. How long did it take to announcements on the 7th or 8th and then given it a day or two
forge the golden calf? In immediately asking for the people to to cascade down through the people. There must have been
go home and collect their gold, Aharon was trying to stall, but a reason why that day was chosen for both messages.
instead the pot was filled by morning. The golden calf was A third element can also be injected into that line of
created in a single day! Not only that, but twelve additional questioning. In our Haggadah, we read ‫ראש ח ֶֹד ׁש‬ׁ ‫ – יָכוֹל ֵמ‬a
golden calves too! How many tons of gold were lugged, suggestion that we could start telling the story of Yetziat
melted in a pot, and forged? One day was all it took. They Mitzraim from Rosh Chodesh Nisan. Putting aside for a
were very keen on getting it done. And if they rushed to create moment that this suggestion is turned down in favor of telling
the idol, its atonement could not possibly be done leisurely. It, the story at the Seder, why was that date chosen as a
too, had to be done with the utmost ‫ – זְ ִריזוּת‬swiftness. The potential start date? Why does the Ba’al Haggadah not
Yerushalmi even asks, quite harshly, how the gathering of the suggest we start recounting the story of redemption on
gold for the golden calf took less than a day, whereas Chanukkah? Nobody would argue with the connections that
gathering the materials for the Mishkan took two days. could be made between those two foremost moments of
Nonetheless, Be’er Yosef says, the overall construction salvation. If that’s too distant from Pesach, perhaps Purim is
needed to be as swift as possible, and additionally, placing it a good compromise. Why Rosh Chodesh Nisan?
in boxes and waiting until Nisan was also part of the Many commentators deal with this question, and I’d like to
ֵ it was the eirev rav who dictated
atonement. At ‫ח ְטא הָ עֵ גֶל‬, start with an idea from Shibolei Haleket 15. Since we are
terms and barked out orders as to when the idol should be commanded to start engaging in Pesach-related Halachot and
created and stood up. Moshe Rabbeinu now came with ask all our questions prior to Pesach, we could have thought
instructions for the Mishkan, and in those instructions was a the same was true for questions from our children regarding
clear message that G-d’s home amongst us is exclusively at Yetziat Mitzraim.
His discretion. Only He can say when and where, and it is our The Rashbam 16 suggests, the Geula began on Rosh
job to simply listen and follow. Bnei Yisrael might have thought Chodesh Nisan, and therefore we might have been required
the Mishkan was ready on the 25th of Kislev, but it would only to start speaking about it on that day each year. How exactly
be truly ready when Hakadosh Baruch Hu said so. did the Geula begin fifteen days prior to Bnei Yisrael taking
With that, Besiyata Dishmaya, I would like to dive into the topic their first steps out of Egypt? The commandment to take a
of Nisan. Our Parshiot connect us to Parshat Hachodesh and sheep on the first of Nisan was, in essence, the first act of a
the month of Nisan. It is very clear how Pekudei connects to redeemed nation. There are a number of additional
‫ – הַ ח ֶֹד ׁש הַ זֶּה לָכֶ ם‬as the Mishkan was dedicated on the 1st of commentators who also point to the Avodah of Pesach
Nissan, the same day referred to in Parshat Hachodesh, albeit beginning on Rosh Chodesh, or being communicated to
one year apart. We can see there is a special element to Rosh Moshe on Rosh Chodesh, and therefore they too consider the
Chodesh Nisan, but why? Why the urgency to speak about entire month as reflecting Geula.
the concept of Rosh Chodesh during that final year in Egypt? The ba’al Yesod V'Shoresh HaAvodah 17 (2:4) captures this
And why particularly with regards to Nisan? Rabbeinu idea and frames it in relation to our own state and behavior:
Bachya 13 writes (Bo), during the 40 years Bnei Yisrael
sojourned in the desert, not once did they sanctify the new ‫ ִּכי ִה ִ ּגיע ּו הַ ּי ִָמים‬,‫ש ַמח הָ אָ ָדם ְמאוֹד ו ְּמאוֹד‬ ׂ ְ ‫ִמ ּיוֹם אֶ חָ ד ְ ּבנִ יסָ ן יָגִ יל וְ ִי‬
moon – ‫ – ִקדּ ו ּׁש הַ ח ֶֹד ׁש‬by way of sighting the moon, as was ‫ וְ הֵ ן ָק ְרב ּו הַ ּי ִָמים אֲ ׁ ֶשר‬,‫אֲ ׁ ֶשר ּ ָבהֶ ם ֵחפֶ ץ ה' לִ גְ אָ לֵינ ּו וּלְ ַק ְדּ ׁ ֵשנ ּו ְ ּב ִמצְ ו ָֹתיו‬
.‫שה ְרצוֹנ ֹו לְ נַחַ ת רוּחַ לְ פָ נָיו ית"ש ְ ּב ִמצְ וֹת ַרבּ וֹת‬ ָׂ ‫ּ ָבהֶ ם ַנ ֲע‬
shown to Moshe in Egypt. This was due to cloud coverage of
a different sort than we lament outside the shul on Motzei On the first day of Nisan, a person should greatly rejoice and be
Shabbat after Rosh Chodesh. The Ananei Hakavod were very happy, because the days have come in which Hashem
desires to redeem and sanctify us through His commandments.

~4~
 And indeed, the days have approached in which we will fulfill amongst them. They were stunned, “‫שכַ נְ ִּתי ְ ּבת ֹו ָכם‬
ָ ׁ ְ‫ ?ו‬Here on
His will and find peace before Him through many earth? Next to our tents, our cattle, and our laundry? How is
commandments. that even possible?!” As a result, Hakadosh Baruch Hu
We need to be in a state of happiness when we reach Rosh instructed that the Mishkan be raised at a time
Chodesh Nisan, ready to observe, and ready for our own commemorating three angels coming down from Heaven to
redemption. What is the meaning of this special state we enter inform Avraham Avinu of his legacy in the lower world. The
as soon as the calendar turns to Nisan? Mishkan’s dedication would coincide with the seminal moment
I’d like to share a beautiful idea, which I hope is correct. On when angels descended to a desert and partook in a meal
Rosh Chodesh Nisan we can observe a Mitzvah that is together with human beings. And in that Mishkan would be the
available to us once per year: ‫ – ִ ּב ְר ּ ַכת הָ ִאילָנוֹת‬Blessing of the foods of man – bread, wine, meat, grains, etc. – and in the
Trees. The Shulchan Aruch 18 writes (Orach Chaim 226:1): form of korbanot they would serve as ’food’ for Hakadosh
Baruch Hu. That is the significance of waiting until the month
’‫יאין ּ ֶפ ַרח או ֵֹמר ּ ָברו ְּך אַ ּ ָתה ה‬ ִ ִ‫ימי נִ יסָ ן וְ ָראָ ה ִאילָנוֹת ׁ ֶש ּמוֹצ‬ ֵ ‫הַ ּיֹצֵא ִ ּב‬ of Nisan to stand up the Mishkan.
‫אמ"ה ׁ ֶשלּ ֹא ִח ּ ֵסר ְ ּבע ֹולָמ ֹו ְּכלוּם וּבָ ָרא בּ ֹו ְ ּב ִר ּיוֹת טוֹבוֹת וְ ִאילָנוֹת‬
‫שנָה‬ָ ׁ ‫טוֹבוֹת לֵהָ נוֹת ּ ָבהֶ ם ְ ּבנֵי אָ ָדם וְ אֵ ינ ֹו ְמבָ ֵר ְך אֶ לּ ָא ּ ַפעַ ם אַ חַ ת ְ ּבכָל‬ Before closing, I would like to reference one more supporting
:‫שנָה וְ ִאם ִא ֵחר לְ בָ ֵר ְך עַ ד אַ חַ ר ׁ ֶש ּג ְָדל ּו הַ ּ ֵפרוֹת ל ֹא יְבָ ֵר ְך עוֹד‬ ָ ׁ ְ‫ו‬ topic. Chazal tell us four people left this world and a ‫יטין‬ ִ ִ‫ מוֹנ‬or
ַ‫ – ַמ ְט ֵּבע‬a coin, was produced in their honor. The Gemara (Bava
One who goes out in the month of Nisan and sees trees that have Kamma 97b) speaks of two (Avraham and Yehoshua) and the
put forth flowers says, "Blessed Are You.... who has not left
Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 39:11) another two (David Hamelech
anything lacking in the world and who has created in in good
creations and good trees from which people can benefit." And and Mordechai). Inscribed on Avraham Avinu’s coin was the
this blessing can only be made once each and every year and if following: ‫ – ז ֵָקן וּזְ ֵקנָה ִמ ַּצד אֶ חָ ד וּבָ חוּר ו ְּבת ּולָה ִמ ּצַד אַ ֵחר‬An old man
one delays until after the fruit has grown on the tree it is too late. and old woman on one side, and a young man and young
What exactly are ‫?ב ִר ּיוֹת טוֹבוֹת‬
ּ ְ I’ve seen a suggestion that woman on the other side.
gilgulim are contained in the branches of a tree, and these What is the significance of these images? Rashi says, in his
souls, residing in nature, are part of the bracha. At a more commentary on the Gemara, they represent Avraham and
relatable level though, what does it mean? We can see the Sarah on one side, and Yitzchak and Rivka on the other.
‫ ִאילָנוֹת טוֹבוֹת‬with our eyes, but what are the ‫?ב ִר ּיוֹת טוֹבוֹת‬
ּ ְ If Yefeh To’ar 20, however, says in his commentary on the
referring to the ultimate ‘good’ and highest form of creation – Midrash, the coin of Avraham had images of only him and his
human beings – they weren’t suddenly created, nor do they wife, and not of anyone else. The two sides represent
suddenly appear in the month of Nisan. What do we witness Avraham and Sarah in different stages of life. We would all
that warrants our praise of Hakadosh Baruch Hu? likely assume the first side is of a newlywed couple, and the
other of an older couple after Yitzchak was born. However,
There is a tremendous yesod to learn here. The Midrash we
that is not the case according to Yefeh To’ar. The first side
learned earlier said Hakadosh Baruch Hu wanted the Mishkan
represents Avraham and Sarah old in their days, and the
to be inaugurated in Nisan due to its connection with Yitzchak
second side, with the young couple, represents them even
Avinu. Two opinions say it was the month in which he was
later in life after they learned they’d have a son! Pirkei
born, and a third says it was the month in which Avraham and
DeRabbi Eliezer 21 writes in detail regarding their miraculous
Sarah were informed they’d have a child. The first two
youthful transformation (Perek 52).
opinions are reasonable – Yitzchak’s birth warrants
celebration and meaningful commemoration – but why would With this, we can connect back to the timing of the Mishkan.
the preview of that birth also fall into that class? If we are Hakadosh Baruch Hu desired the Mishkan to be built during
already noting the birth, why is its notification of importance the month Avraham and Sarah were notified of Yitzchak’s
and worthy of the Mishkan being scheduled around it? impending birth – the month in which a 90-year-old woman
was told she’d give birth to a child. That is the month of
Chazal say, people laughed at Moshe when the Mishkan’s
rejuvenation and renewal, and it began as soon as the angels
construction was completed but it was not stood up. They saw
came down to notify Avraham and Sarah.
it packed up in boxes, and asked Moshe why it was not being
put to use. Moshe refused to tell them, simply saying that What happened at that moment? Avraham saw the angels
wasn’t Hakadosh Baruch Hu’s desire. The people murmured, and requested that Sarah prepare ‫ – עֻ גוֹת‬loaves of cake or
“Moshe made this up. He gave us this job just to keep us busy, bread. But when Avraham returned to the angels, he was not
and there is nothing real behind it.” As a result, the Torah carrying any cake or bread, and he instead served them
repeats “‫”כאֲ ׁ ֶשר צִ ּוָה ה’ אֶ ת־מ ׁ ֶֹשה‬
ַ ּ with regards to each part of the something else: ‫שה‬ ָׂ ָ‫ – ֶח ְמאָ ה וְ חָ לָב וּבֶ ן־הַ ּ ָב ָקר אֲ ׁ ֶשר ע‬butter and
Mishkan being set up – seven times in succession (Shemot milk, together with the calf he had prepared. Rashi asks,
40:17-33) – reaffirming Moshe’s commands and their “Where’s the bread?” What happened to the food Sarah
authenticity as originating from Hakadosh Baruch Hu. prepared? He answers, Avraham didn’t return with the bread
because Sarah began menstruating; ‫ א ַֹרח ּ ַכ ּנ ׁ ִָשים‬- the manner
Midrash Ohr Chadash 19 says, the true reason for the people
of women, returned to her on that day, at age 90, and the
mocking Moshe did not stem from any physical or logistical
dough became impure. ‫– ִה ְתחַ דֵּ ׁש ּכָאן דָּ בָ ר חָ ָד ׁש ּ ַב ְ ּב ִריאָ ה‬
aspects of the Mishkan, but rather from the people’s disbelief
something new came to life! A woman who had not given birth
that Hakadosh Baruch Hu would truly descend and dwell

~5~
in her first 90 years. and who did not even have a womb, was the first day that the Jewish people were blessed by the priests,
able to give birth to a child. This renewal – this miracle – was and the first day of the prohibition to bring offerings on
introduced by the angels during the month of Nisan. Creation improvised altars. And it was the first of the months.
is renewed during the month of Nisan! Rosh Chodesh Nisan was a day of firsts! Everything saw a
How else do we know creation is renewed during the month beginning, or renewed beginning, on that day! The yesod of
of Nisan? By simply stepping outside. We step outside and ‫ חֲ נ ּ ַֻכת הַ ִּמ ׁ ְש ּכָן‬took place on Rosh Chodesh Nisan. The
witness the trees blossoming, and it signals to us that dedication of the Mishkan symbolized taking a people who
Hakadosh Baruch Hu ushers ‫ – ְ ּב ִריאוֹת חֲ ָד ׁשוֹת‬new creations, had gravely sinned with the ‫ ֵח ְטא הָ עֵ גֶל‬and providing them with
into the world during Nisan. Everything is renewed. Do you a renewed and rejuvenated beginning.
know what else is renewed? The Mishkan was inaugurated We step outside and recite a blessing upon seeing the
on the first of Nisan, and the Gemara recounts what took place rejuvenated trees, and we say ‫ – ּ ָברו ְּך ׁ ֶשלּ ֹא ִח ּ ֵסר ְ ּבע ֹולָמ ֹו‬Blessed
on that day (Shabbat 87b): is Hakadosh Baruch Hu who has not left anything lacking in
‫אשוֹן‬ׁ ‫אשית; ִר‬ ִ ׁ ‫אשוֹן לְ ַמ ֲע ֵׂשה ְב ֵר‬ׁ ‫ ִר‬:‫ אוֹת ֹו יוֹם נָטַ ל עֶ ֶׂשר עֲטָ רוֹת‬,‫ּ ָתנָא‬ the world. Even ‫ ְ ּב ִר ּיוֹת טוֹבוֹת‬are renewed at that time. Sure,
;‫ידת הָ אֵ ׁש‬ ַ ‫אשוֹן לִ ִיר‬
ׁ ‫אשוֹן ָלעֲבו ָֹדה; ִר‬ ׁ ‫אשוֹן ל ְַּכה ּו ּנָה; ִר‬ ׁ ‫יאים; ִר‬ִ ‫ש‬ׂ ִ ‫ַל ְּנ‬ they were created long before and walked around just a day
‫אשוֹן לְ בָ ֵר ְך אֶ ת‬ ׁ ‫אשוֹן לִ ׁ ְשכּ וֹן ׁ ְשכִ ינָה; ִר‬
ׁ ‫אשוֹן לַאֲ כִ ילַת ָק ָד ׁ ִשים; ִר‬ ׁ ‫ִר‬ or week prior, but when Nisan arrives they are renewed like
.‫אשוֹן לֶחֳ ָד ׁ ִשים‬ ׁ ‫יסוּר הַ ּ ָבמוֹת; ִר‬ ּ ‫אשוֹן לְ ִא‬
ׁ ‫ש ָראֵ ל; ִר‬ׂ ְ ‫ִי‬ Sarah Imeinu. We blossom like trees in Nisan. As a result,
even one who feels everything is doom and gloom around
It was taught: That day took ten crowns. It was the first day of them, must recognize that when Nisan arrives, renewal
Creation, meaning Sunday, the first day of the offerings brought
by the princes, the first day of the priesthood, the first day of
arrives too! ‫ֹאש חֳ ָד ׁ ִשים‬
ׁ ‫ – הַ ח ֶֹד ׁש הַ זֶּה לָכֶ ם ר‬this is the month
service in the Temple, the first time for the descent of fire onto everything starts anew! Our winter slumber and despair are
the altar, the first time that consecrated foods were eaten, the over, and it is time for us to rise and be renewed, and B’ezrat
first day of the resting of the Shechina upon the Jewish people, Hashem, redeemed once again.

1
Oznaim Latorah - R’ Zalman Sorotzkin (1881-1966), Ukraine, Belarus, Yerushalayim; Leader of Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah.
2
Rabbi Yaakov Kaminetsky - (1891-1986), Russia, Seattle, Brooklyn, Monsey, Toronto; Prominent Rosh Yeshiva and posek in post-war American
Jewish community. Studied in Minsk, and for 21 years in Slabodka under Rabbi Nosson Tzvi Finkel, where he met lifelong friend Rabbi Aharon Kotler.
3
Rashi - R' Shlomo Yitzchaki (1040-1105), Troyes, France. "Rabban Shel Yisrael" - The great Rishon who wrote commentary on all areas of Torah.
4
Mechilta d’Rabbi Yishmael - A halachic midrash on the book of Shemot, compiled around the 3rd century in Israel.
5
Rabbeinu Ephraim - R” Ephraim ben Yitzchak of Regensburg (1110-1175), Germany; Student of Rabbeinu Tam.
6
Alsheich HaKadosh - Rabbi Moshe Alsheich (1508–1593), Tzefat; Student of Rabbi Yosef Caro; Rebbe of Rav Chaim Vital.
7
Netivot Da’at - Rav Shmuel David Gross shlit”a, Rav Chssidei Belz, Ashdod.
8
Yalkut Shimoni - Compiled between 11 and 14 C. in Thessaloniki. The author collected and arranged various interpretations from older midrashim.
9
Shefa Chaim - The Klausenburger Rebbe - R' Yekutiel Yehudah Halberstam (1905–1994), Poland, Romania, Brooklyn, Netanya; Great-grandson of
R' Chaim Halberstam, founder of Sanz chasidic dynasty. Was sent to Auschwitz in June 1944, where his wife and ten of his children were murdered.
Was assigned to a work unit in the Warsaw Ghetto and later sent to Dachau and the Muldorf Forest. Liberated in April 1945, and in 1946 established
court in Williamsburg, NY. Remaried in 1947 and had 5 daughters and two sons. In 1958, established Kiryat Sanz neighborhoods in Netanya and
Jerusalem. Moved to Israel in 1960, and established Laniado Hospital, a not-for-profit 484-bed hospital in Netanya.
10
Tur - Rabbi Jacob ben Asher (1269-1343), Spain; Composer of Arba'ah Turim, tracing Halacha from the Torah through the Talmud and early Poskim,
citing the author’s opinions as well as dissenting opinions. Many commentaries were written on the Tur, most prominent among them Rabbi Yosef
Karo’s “Beit Yosef,” which formed the basis of the Shulchan Aruch.
11
Vilna Gaon - (The Gra) R' Eliyahu ben Shlomo Zalman (1720-1797), Vilnius, Poland, Lithuania. Foremost leader of misnagdic Jewry of the past few
centuries. Considered the father of the stream of Lithuanian Kabbalah, and remembered as a leader of the opposition to the Hasidic movement.
12
Be’er Yosef - Rabbi Yosef Zundel of Salant (1786-1866) Lithuania; Student of Rabbi Chaim Volozhin; Teacher of Rabbi Yisrael Salanter.
13
Rabbeinu Bachya - (Rabbeinu Behaye) R’ Bahya ben Asher (1255-1340), Spain. Torah commentary incorporating the literal meaning along with
allegorical, Midrashic, and Kabbalistic interpretations.
14
Midrash Hagadol - A work of aggaddic midrash written by Rabbi David Adani of Yemen (14th century).
15
Shibolei Haleket - R’ Zedekiah ben Abraham HaRofeh (1210-1280), Italy, Germany.
16
Rashbam - R’ Shmuel ben Meir (c.1085–c.1174), France.
17
Yesod V'Shoresh HaAvodah - R' Alexander Ziskind of Grodno (1735-1794), Belarus; Kabbalist, student of R' Aryeh Leib Epstein of Konigsberg,
reportedly one of only two whose written works were graced by a 'haskamah' from the Vilna Gaon. The Chafetz Chaim reportedly scheduled regular
times to study his work Yesod V'Shoresh HaAvodah, a manual for increasing one's kavanah and devotion when serving Hashem.
18
Shulchan Aruch - Compiled by Rav Yoseph Karo in 1563 Tzefat.
19
Midrash Ohr Chadash - Rav Chaim Deutsch (1953-2018), Bnei Brak; Rav of Heichal Zev and Yad Natan.
20
Yefeh To’ar - R' Shmuel Yaffe Ashkenmazi (1525-1595), Turkey; Leader of the Ashkenazi community of Constantinople. One of the most influential
commentaries on Midrash Rabbah.
21
Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer - Composed by Rabbi Eliezer ben Hyrcanus (1st-2nd century) during times of the Mishnah.

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