Weekly Reading Insights: Pekudeh 5784
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Overview of the
Torah Reading
To be read on Shabbat Pekudei, 6 Adar II 5784/March 16, 2024
Torah: Exodus - Ex 38:21-40:38; Haftorah:
Kings 1 7:51-8:21.
Pekudei is the 11th Reading out of 11 in Exodus
and it contains 4432 letters, in 1182 words, in 92 verses.
Pekudei opens with an accounting
of all materials used in making the Tabernacle. Then described are the methods
used in making the priests’ clothing. All the labor was carried out as G-d commanded,
and Moshe blessed the workers. G-d commanded Moshe how and when to assemble
the Tabernacle and dress the priests. When this was completed, G-d’s cloud of
glory came and rested on the Tabernacle for all to see. When the cloud would
rise, it was a signal for the Jews to travel.
An
Essay from
Rabbi Shaul Yosef Leiter, Director of Ascent
(for a free weekly email subscription, click
here)
In this week's Torah portion we continue to learn about the building of the
Tabernacle. What relevance does this have in 2024? Yes, although the Tabernacle
was built 4000 years ago, it is as relevant as ever - as is everything in the
Torah -- and has extremely powerful messages to teach us.
The Midrash teaches us one of these messages.
What is the Midrash? It is part of Judaism's oral tradition that accompanied
our Holy Torah as the Jewish people's private commentary. It is the insights
into the Torah of the sages of the Mishna and the Talmud from 1500-2500 years
ago, much of it based on oral teachings from the biblical era. . These sages
could SEE the Torah as G-d's will and wisdom with much more clarity than we
can.
The verse in this week's portion Pekudei (39/33) says, "They brought the
Tabernacle to Moshe."
Rashi comments that while the Jewish people contributed the raw materials and
Bezalel and Ohaliav and their team made everything, they were not successful
at assembling it. The columns were too heavy. Because Moshe did not have any
part on the design or making of the pieces he was given the privilege of erecting
it. Even Moshe wondered, and asked G-d how would it be possible for one man
erect it. G-d answered, put your hands to it, it will look like you are standing
them up, but really they will go up on their own.
(from Likutei Basar Likutei)
The Midrash says the following: She is garbed in strength and
glory
and smiles to the last day (Proverbs 31:25). There is a story about R' Abahu
who was about to pass away, and was given a chance to peak into the world to
come. He saw all of the good things that were waiting for him as a reward for
all of his good actions in this world. He became joyful and said, All of this
for Abahu!? And I thought I worked for nothing.
The commentaries ask the obvious question. How is it possible that such a great
righteous person could have doubted that there would not be a heavenly reward
for all of his efforts in this world?
We can understand this with a different story.
The author of the Talmudic commentary, Choshen Yeshuos, once spent Pesach with
his son, R' Dov Maizelem. R' Dov was an important community person who spent
much of his time saving Jewish debtors from prison. There was a particular person
he worked hard to free, pledging his own possessions as collateral, but he was
not successful. This upset him very much. His father
told him not to be so upset. If he tried his hardest and was still not successful,
it was G-d's decision to keep the person in prison. But he could console himself
that G-d would give him the merit as though he had been successful.
How could his father know that? He brought a proof from the above Midrash.
It was known that R' Abahu had many connections in the Roman government and
constantly tried to use his influence to help his people. As is the nature with
this kind of work, there were times that he tried and tried and yet was not
successful. Now at the end of his life he was shown that even for the times
he had failed, he was still going to be rewarded, even if he perceived that
nothing had been accomplished at all.
Why does the Midrash bring this story on the above verse about bringing the
Tabernacle to Moshe? One possible answer is that the people who actually made
all the pieces of the Tabernacle probably felt bad. When they saw they could
not raise it, and therefore had to bring it to Moshe, they thought that they
lost the most important part of the merit. This is what the Midrash is telling
us, that they were mistaken! As the Midrash quotes "
and smiles to
the last day,"
meaning in the end each of us who had the right thoughts and made the appropriate
effort, will receive our reward even if we were not able to complete the task.
Shabbat Shalom, Shaul
(for a free weekly email subscription, click
here)
For last year's essay by Rabbi Leiter on this week's Reading,
see the archive.
FROM
THE SAGES OF KABBALAH ON KabbalaOnline.org
Specifically, for an overview
of the recommended articles in the columns:
Holy Zohar, Holy Ari, Mystic Classics, Chasidic Masters, Contemporary Kabbalists,
and more, click to Pekudei
one sample:
Mystical Classics
The
Real Count
From the Ohr HaChaim commentary by Rabbi Chaim (ben Moshe) ibn Attar
The only true count on earth was of the components which comprised the Holy
Tabernacle. Normally, G-d objects to a headcount. In this instance G-d did not
object; on the contrary - every single component contributed and accounted for
increased the amount of blessings G-d bestowed on the Holy Tabernacle.
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