Shalom and Bracha!

This Shabbat we read the portion of Vayakhel and bless the second month of Adar. Throughout the last three portions, Hashem has instructed Moshe concerning the construction of the Tabernacle, the garments of the Kohen, and the consecration process. In this week’s portion, Moshe gathers the Jewish people, relays the instructions of Hashem, and the Jewish people construct the Tabernacle and the garments. Seemingly, it is difficult to understand why we spend so long (four or five weeks) discussing the measurements of the Temple and the garments. In truth, however, it is very important.

One perspective is that by studying the Temple and the garments, we show our love for Hashem. When we love and admire someone, we want to know all about them. If someone offers us a private tour of their home or a glimpse of their wardrobe, out of love and admiration we would accept. The Tabernacle is Hashem’s home and the garments are those that He has chosen to be worn in his home. Additionally, each vessel and each garment teaches us a lesson in bettering ourselves. These portions are our private tour.

Yearning for Moshiach is central to Judaism. When we don’t see the Temple, we can G-d forbid reach a situation of “out of sight out of mind.” When we study the Temple, envisioning the Ark, the Menorah and the Kohen Gadol in his full splendor, our yearning is aroused and we serve Hashem with a greater intensity knowing that each Mitzvah is a building block of the Temple.

Every Mitzvah has three parts: thought, speech and action. When all three are possible, action is the most significant and thought and speech enhance the deed. When action cannot be performed, thought and speech take their place. This is much like someone who has G-d forefend lost one of their senses; the other senses to some extent fill the vacuum. Right now, we cannot construct the Temple. The Midrash says that when we study the construction of the Temple it is reckoned as though we were building it. Bearing in mind the words of the Gemara that every generation that doesn’t rebuild the Temple is like the generation of the destruction, studying these portions becomes very desirable.

As mentioned before, Moshe gathered the Jewish people in order to tell them this Mitzvah. As we rarely find mentioned in the Torah that Moshe gathered the Jewish people, it is worthwhile to consider why it is mentioned here. The construction of the Tabernacle and thereafter the Temple is in order to reveal Hashem’s presence in the world. Unity is the prerequisite for Hashem’s revelation. Before the Torah was given, there had to be unity amongst the Jewish people. Similarly, before the Jewish people could create a dwelling place for Hashem, the aspect of unity had to be intensified. The word Vayakhel comes from the word Kehillah, a congregation. Moshe didn’t simply gather the Jews; he formed them into one entity, a congregation.

The importance of unity is also seen in the miracle of Purim. Upon hearing of the decree to destroy the Jewish people, Esther told Mordechai gather all of the Jews in Shushan. This display of unity gave her the ability to overcome the evil decree.

Just as unity was the prerequisite for the revelation of Hashem’s presence in the construction of the Tabernacle, unity is a preparation for the coming of Moshiach. The second Temple was destroyed because of strife and wanton hatred. Unity will caused it’s rebuilding. May we speedily merit his coming, and in the words of the prophet Yirmiyahu terminology Kahal (from the same root as the word Vayakhel) Gadol Yashuvu Heina (A great congregation will return there).

Shabbat Shalom and Chodesh Tov,
Mevarchim Adar 2. Rosh Chodesh is next Friday and Shabbat

The Molad is Friday March 7 8:50 and 6 Chalakim a.m.

Rabbi Biggs