Yearning and Uniting
B”H
Vayakhel-Pekudei-Ha'Chodesh-Chazak-Shabbat Mevarchim Nissan
Yearning and Uniting
For candle lighting times anywhere in the world you may go to: https://www.chabad.org/alendar/candlelighting_cdo/id/6226/jewish/Candle-Lighting-Times.htm and adjust the location.
Mevarchim Nissan: The Molad is next Monday night, March 27th at 7:00 p.m. 4 minutes and 10 Chalakim
Rosh Chodesh is next Tuesday, March 28th
This Shabbat we read from two Torah scrolls. In the first scroll we read a double portion, Vayakhel and Pekudei. Because this concludes the book of Shemot (Exodus), we finish off the last reading with the entire congregation standing and proclaiming: “Chazak Chazak V’nitchazeik” which means strength, more strength, and let us be strengthened. This is because the Torah is the strength of the Jewish people and concluding a book of the Torah and beginning a new one is a wellspring of strength and a cause for celebration. In the second scroll we read the portion of Parah and thereafter bless the month of Nissan which begins next Tuesday.
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 portions, Moshe gathered the Jewish people, relays the instructions of Hashem, and the Jewish people construct the Tabernacle and the garments and perform the consecration. This year is very special in that this past Tuesday was, the 23rd of Adar, the actual date of the beginning of the consecration and the first time the Tabernacle was erected. Seemingly, it is difficult to understand why we spend so long (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 or an invite to the opening, out of love and admiration we would joyfully accept. The Tabernacle is Hashem’s home and the garments are those that He has chosen to be worn in his home and the consecration is the opening. 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 Moshe was regularly relaying the commands of Hashem and it rarely states 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 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 festival of Purim that we just celebrated. 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 cause it’s rebuilding. May we speedily merit his coming, and in the words of the prophet Yirmiyahu : " Kahal (from the same root as the word Vayakhel) Gadol Yashuvu Heina " (A great congregation will return there).
Rosh Chodesh-The Power Over Time
As an introduction to the Mitzvot of Pesach, Hashem first commanded Moshe the Mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh, the sanctification of the new moon as the beginning of the Hebrew month. As this was the first commandment to the Jewish people as a nation, it carries great significance. When we read the giving of this Mitzvah the Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh, the impact and meaning are great. The purpose of the Exodus was to receive the Torah. The purpose of giving the Torah was that the Jewish people should reveal Hashem’s presence in the world through their efforts. The holidays are dependent on the sanctification of the new moon. If the Sanhedrin (the Jewish court) declares Shabbat to be RoshChodesh Nissan, two weeks later will be Pesach. If they declareSunday, two weeks from then will be Pesach. Chassidut teaches that on each holiday Hashem reveals Himself in the manner He did when that Holiday first occurred, be it Pesach, Purim, Rosh Hashanah or any other holiday. The power to sanctify the new moon is the power to affect when and how Hashem reveals Himself.
Hachodesh-Self Sacrifice and Unity
The sheep was the idol of the Egyptians. Hashem commanded that the Passover offering in Egypt be brought into the homes four days before it was offered. This gave the Egyptians ample time to know that the Jews would be slaughtering the sheep and that Hashem had promised to eradicate the firstborn Egyptians the night preceding the Exodus. The risks involved in fulfillment of this commandment demonstrated a total dedication to Hashem, even to the point of boldly risking their lives. This parallels the above mentioned self sacrifice symbolized by the offerings in the tebernacle. This is also the symbolic meaning of the total waning of the moon to receive the light of the Sun.
The centrality of unity is also expressed in Parshat Hachodesh. The Pesach offering, although brought by each family individually, was a communal offering. The Torah stresses that if one family is lacking, they should combine with another family. When we sit down to our Pesach Seder, we invite the hungry and the excluded to join us. This is because Pesach, the birth and redemption of the Jewish people, is dependent upon our caring for others. In our times, this is also expressed by inviting as many people as possible who might otherwise not attend a Seder.
The Talmud says that we were redeemed in Nissan and will be redeemed in Nissan. May we merit that this Nissan will herald the coming of Moshiach and the ultimate revelation of Hashem’s presence in this world.
The month of - Nissan
This Tuesday, March 28th, is Rosh Chodesh Nissan. The month of Nissan is unique in that Tachanun (penitential prayers) are not said the entire month. This is because the first twelve days are the celebration of the consecration of the Temple in the desert. The fourteenth until the twenty-second of Nissan, are Pesach. Since most of the month is celebration, the entire month is treated as a holiday. It is customary during the first twelve days in Nissan to recite the occurrences of that day as related in Bamidbar (Numbers) chapter 7. Many communities have the customs to add related prayers as found in the Prayer book.
Passover begins the night of April 10th and continues through April 17th( April 18th in the Diaspora). From the morning of April 10th throughout Passover, it is forbidden to own any Chametz, i.e. any grain products or by products that are not prepared specially for Pesach. As disposal of all Chametz is often difficult, it is customary to sell all Chametz to a non-Jewish person before Pesach and buy it back after Pesach. Due to the complications in Jewish law concerning the sale, most people appoint a Rabbi as their agent. If you do not have a Rabbi to appoint as your agent, this may be done online at the following site, go to: https://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/default_cdo/aid/109747/jewish/Passover.htm and click "Sell your chametz online".
It must be done by Sunday April 9th. Please include all addresses where your Chametz may be found.
If you know of anyone who needs a place to go for the Seder go to: https://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/default_cdo/aid/109747/jewish/Passover.htm and click on “Find a Seder near you ".
The Rebbe has encouraged on numerous occasions that if at all possible everyone should have hand baked Shmurah Matzah for the Seder. Similarly, we should try to see that others get Shmurah Matzah. During the Nazi occupation of France, the Rebbe risked his life and personally distributed Shmurah Matzah to many Jews throughout Paris. Jewish unity is the key to redemption and Pesach is the time when we feel that bond most intensely.
Because of the great expenses involved with the holiday, a special collection called: "Maot Chittim" is made throughout the Jewish community to provide the needy with Passover expenses.
Whoever would like to participate in this charity can do so directly through Paypal account: [email protected]
May Hashem grant that this year we will celebrate Pesach as one great family in Yerushalayim together with Moshiach.
You are invited to see a great Pesach Website at:
https://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/default_cdo/aid/109747/jewish/Passover.htm
Shabbat Shalom, Chodesh Tov, and May we Continue to increase in Abundant Joy! :-)
A Kosher and Happy Pesach
Moshiach NOW!
Eliyahu
This has been made available by:
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