The Lamplighter Weekly
Volume 12 Issue 10
March 7-13 2010 21-27 Adar 5770
Torah Reading: Vayakhel-Pekudei
Candle lighting: 6:15 PM
Shabbat Ends: 7:09 PM
Parshas Hachodesh
Shabbas Mevarchim
Parsha Synopsis · A Word From the Rabbi
Essay · Thoughts That Count
Once Upon A Chassid · Tid Bits · Happenings · Notes From Israel
Parsha Synopsis
Vayakhel-Pekudei
Exodus 35:1-40:38 & 12:1-20
Moses assembles the people of Israel and reiterates to them the commandment to observe the Shabbat. He then conveys G-d's instructions regarding the making of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). The people donate the required materials in abundance, bringing gold, silver, copper, blue, purple and red-dyed wool, goat hair, spun linen, animal skins, wood, olive oil, herbs and precious stones. Moses has to tell them to stop giving.
A team of wise-hearted artisans make the Mishkan and its furnishings (as detailed in the previous Torah readings of Terumah, Tetzaveh and Ki Tisa): three layers of roof coverings; 48 gold-plated wall panels, and 100 silver foundation sockets; the Parochet (Veil) that separates between the Sanctuary's two chambers and the Masach (Screen) that fronts it; the Ark and its cover with the Cherubim; the Table and its Showbread; the seven-branched Menorah with its specially-prepared oil; and the Golden Altar and the incense burned on it; the Anointing Oil; the outdoor Altar for Burnt Offerings and all its implements; the hangings, posts and foundation sockets for the Courtyard; and the Basin and its pedestal, made out of copper mirrors .
An accounting is made of the gold, silver and copper donated by the people for the making of the Mishkan. Betzalel, Ahaliav and their assistants make the Eight Priestly Garments -- the Efod, Breastplate, Cloak, Crown, Turban, Tunic, Sash and Breeches -- according to the specifications communicated to Moses in the Parshah of Tetzaveh.
The Mishkan is completed and all its components are brought to Moses, who erects it and anoints it with the holy Anointing Oil, and initiates Aaron and his four sons into the priesthood. A cloud appears over the Mishkan, signifying the Divine Presence that has come to dwell within it.
This being the Shabbat that falls on or before the 1st of Nissan, we also read the section of Hachodesh (Exodus 12:1-20) which relates G-d's words to Moses in Egypt two weeks before the Exodus, instructing us to set the Jewish calendar by the monthly new moon and to regard Nissan as the "head of months." G-d also instructs to bring the Passover offering, to eat it with matzah and bitter herbs, and to abstain from leaven for seven days.
A Word From the Rabbi
THE BOOK OR THE COVER
Schizophrenic Purpose And Identity
Legend has it that the late Albert Einstein, having just completed a paper and in need of a clasp, spent aconsiderable amount of timetrying to straighten-out a clip that was twisted and unusable. Whilestruggling with the dysfunctional object, his assistant discovered a new box ofperfect clips. Einstein took one of the new paper clips reshaped it and used itas an instrument to repair the old bent one.
In response to his assistant’s bewilderment, the renowned physicist declared: “I had just established a new objective; once set upon a goal I’m not easilydeflected.
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A Telling Bar Mitzvah Invitation:
It is with great stress, emotional and physical fatigue, and incredible financial sacrifice, beyond comprehension, that we invite you to join us, on the occasion of our darling Bubale, Sam Isaac, being called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah and proudly taking his place in our priceless Jewish heritage.
The Ceremony will take place on Mother's Day Weekend, Saturday, May 12th, at Temple Ahavat Chesed 17 Charlwood Ln. Westport, Connecticut. Services begin at the ungodly hour of 9 a.m. (although you don't really need to be there until 10:40 a.m. to catch the real spiel).
If you make it through the three-hour service, we recommend you leave before the Kiddush as it is for the Shnorors (the Chazerei is not worth the calories). You are welcome instead to join us for a grandiose and ostentatious Dinner at 5 p.m. (Not 8 p.m., or you'll miss out on the 2000 canapés and all the delicacies we Jews don’t allow into our homes).
The Shindig will be held at St John’s Country Club 47 Rout 23 S Westport, CT, (which we were forced to join just for this event and you would never believe the insane initiation fees). Sorry but Kosher will not be offered on the menu (Way too pricey).
Expect to be in the presence of lots of boisterous and luxurious entertainment, designer attire galore and lots of REAL bling. (You might want to consider appointing a designated driver, as most guests will be toasted to the nines).
Be a Mentch and RSVP on time, not a day before the event (can't take the stress). And if you RSVP, please have the decency to show up (It’s a Shanda if you don’t). You will be billed $95.00 a plate if you are a no-show.
The gift of choice is, of course, of the GREEN variety, (or a routing and account number "Off the top of your head.") Gifts and gift cards are a waste of your time and ours.
Hope you can make it!
Dorothy and Alan Segal
Dress code: Black Tie (Kippot optional. BYO, don't have the strength to deal with it)
Theme: 007 James Bond
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We all have the need for a purpose and objective in life. It is without question that a good cause and sense of belonging adds spark and meaning to what might otherwise amount to a mere existence – it is what makes life worthwhile. Living solely for the sake of existing seems inadequate and meaningless.
But what is more important, the feeling of worth and importance that is derived from our involvement and dedication to a cause – the sense of belonging and worth, or the integrity and authenticity of the actual cause?
Too often, we fall into the proverbial trap of mistaking the book for its cover. The actual need for a cause tends oftentimes to overshadow and outweigh the authenticity and importance of the cause itself – be it with regards to politics, social activism and even religion.
Veteran news reporter David Brinkley was said to have set out, in the early 1990’s, to survey the Washington civic scene and to have discovered a truly bizarre incident.
Washington, DC is known to derive a great deal of revenue from traffic tickets. In fact, at the time as much as $50 million was raised each year from citations for moving violations, expired inspection stickers, overdue registrations and of course the inescapable plethora of expired parking meters.
He witnessed one day a particular traffic officer, while writing a citation for an illegally parked car, looking-on in cold blood, as a thief had the audacity to remove the car’s license plate and make off with it in front of the officer’s face.
Undaunted, the officer did not even attempt to stop him. He just continued writing the ticket, even as the crook went about his business. Then, when the thief was finished, he slapped another citation on the car for parking on a public street without plates.
In the first of the double portions read this week, Vayakhel, Moshe gathers the entire nation of Israel and charges them with the complex task of constructing the holy Tabernacle. Before he even gets started with the topic at hand, he fires off a warning about the need to sanctify the Shabbos: “Six days work shall be done, and the seventh day shall be holy . . .” Exodus 35:2-3. Only after this digression does Moshe continue with the directives that pertain to the completion of the Mishkan.
Is it not odd that while instructing the Israelites about this extraordinary and awesome endeavor, Moshe would deviate with a warning about a seemingly unrelated and previously stated observance? The juxtaposition of the laws of Shabbos in the midst of the instruction about building the Sanctuary is by all accounts confusing.
According to Rashi, Moshe cautioned the Jewish people against violating the laws of Shabbos in pursuit of their new-fangled endeavor.
Keenly aware of human nature, Moshe found himself compelled to warn against becoming overly engrossed in the novelty and euphoria of the new and exciting objective, to the point of forgetting its actual higher intent, and even violating its basic spirit.
In warning against the desecration of the Shabbos, Moshe was cautioning against the common human fallacy of confusing the means for the end, or better yet, forgetting that there is an end. Moshe was reminding his flock to keep focused on the real goals and not to get sidetracked by the cozy feelings of self fulfillment associated with the historic mission at hand.
Even when the work is as holy and exciting as the building of the Tabernacle – a place for G-d to dwell – rules are rules and Shabbos is Shabbos. Even when we feel like breaking the rules for what we perceive to be a good cause, we must always focus on the greater cause and objective, the Divine will and intent.
Moshe’s three thousand year old words of caution reverberate with keen relevance. Activism that is kept in check is usually a good thing. Activism that has lost its focus and gone awry is apt to become self-serving and self-centered. It can easily defy its very own purpose and intention.
We must forever be wary of the selfish tendencies that tend to infiltrate our holy endeavors. By doing so we will stay focused on our true Divine mission and hasten the coming of the righteous Moshiach BBA.
Gut Shabbos!
The Final Exam
Transparency and accountability -- these are the new buzz words for 21st century corporate governance. No doubt all upright, honorable people welcome every genuine effort to stop corruption and dishonesty in whatever sphere of society -- corporate, governmental or personal. But is this really a new phenomenon? Is ours, in fact, the first generation in history concerned about such issues?
In this week's Torah reading, Pikudei (Exodus 38-40), we learn that way back in the days of Moses a transparent accounting and detailed audit was conducted over the donations made by the Israelites towards the building campaign for the Sanctuary and its sacred vessels. The contributions of gold, silver and copper were all weighed and totaled, so that no one could cast any aspersions on the integrity of Moshe and his team. In fac t, the commentaries derive from this episode that those in charge of communal charity funds should likewise hold themselves accountable. We all need to be "innocent in the eyes of G-d and man."
Ethics of the Fathers reminds us to consider that one day we will all face ultimate accountability. Each of us will stand before the heavenly tribunal to give a din v'cheshbon, a "full justification and an accounting" for the way we lived our lives.
It's fascinating to note that somehow the Talmud (Shabbos, 31a) was able to get wind of the actual questions we will be asked by that supernal tribunal. Know what the very first question is going to be? Surprise, it's not "Did you believe in G-d," or "Did you fast on Yom Kippur?" Believe it or not, the first question on this final of final exams is: "Did you deal faithfully in business?" Not how religious you were with G-d but how you conducted your business affairs. Were you honest and fair with people?
The second question, however, does go to the heart of our Jewishness. "Did you set aside fixed times for Torah study?" It would appear that familiarizing oneself with Torah and becoming a knowledgeable Jew is the key that opens the doors to everything else in Jewish life.
Is it not an anomaly of our times that many of our most brilliant legal minds -- attorneys, advocates and judges -- may have never opened a single page of the Talmud, Judaism's classic encyclopedia of law? Or that some of our finest doctors may be completely unfamiliar with the medical writings of Maimonides, the great 12th century physician and scholar? Or that our brightest business magnates remain Jewishly ignorant, even illiterate?
When it comes to crossing a red light, ignorance of the law is no excuse. No traffic cop will buy the story that the driver didn't know it was illegal. In our day and age, with so many new opportunities for Torah study available, Jewish ignorance just doesn't wash. If the Talmud was once a closed book, today it's available in English -- and there are teachers to go with it too. Jewish studies opportunities abound in every community. And if one is geographically challenged, the internet can work wonders. You'll even find yourself a virtual Rabbi!
Let's ensure that when the Cop in Sky pulls us over to "ask a few questions" we'll all be able to answer in the affirmative.
Rabbi Yossy Goldman was born in Brooklyn, New York to a distinguished Chabad family. In 1976 he was sent by the Lubavitcher Rebbe as shliach to serve the Jewish community of Johannesburg, South Africa. He is Senior Rabbi of the Sydenham Highlands North Shul since 1986, and president of the South African Rabbinical Association.
Thoughts That Count
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Every one with a willing heart brought earrings and nose rings, and rings, and bracelets, every article of gold (Ex. 35:22)
Earrings: Jewish parents must listen to the Torah's directives concerning the Jewish education of their children. They should also overhear their children's conversations with their friends, in order to guide them properly. Nose rings: Parents should develop a keen sense of "smell" to make sure their children's playmates are appropriate. Rings: Parents must be able to "point" their children in the right direction. Bracelets: In addition to explaining things in a pleasant manner, parents must also stand firm (symbolized by the arm) when it comes to Jewish education. The child should always feel that this is his parents' priority. (Likutei Diburim)
And Betzalel made the ark (Ex. 37:1)
Of all the components of the Sanctuary, why is Betzalel's name associated specifically with the ark? At different times in history, all of the other vessels were also fashioned by other people (i.e., for the First and Second Holy Temples; they will also be made for the Third Holy Temple when it is reestablished). However, there has always been only one ark, made by Betzalel. Although hidden away after the destruction, in the future it will be revealed. (Meshech Chochma)
And Moses saw all the work... and Moses blessed them (Ex. 39:43)
According to the Midrash, what Moses saw was all the angels that had been created by the Jewish people's fulfillment of G-d's command to bring contributions for the Sanctuary, as it states: "He who does one mitzva acquires one advocate." Moses thus understood that the mitzva had been done with sincerity and pure intent, "and he blessed them" (Birkat Shamayim)
A Matter Of Taste
For six days, work shall be done… (35:2)
The Torah expresses itself in the passive - 'work shall be done' - rather than using the active - 'do work'. This is to teach us the proper attitude toward our workday pursuits: the necessary mundane involvements of life should be approached in a matter-of-fact and unenthusiastic manner…(Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory)
Rabbi Shlomo of Karlin was expected at the home of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi. But the visit gave rise to a dispute between the Rebbe's wife and her daughter, Freidkeh. For several years now, Freidkeh had taken charge of all the cooking in the house; now, in honor of the distinguished guest, the Rebbetzin wanted to retake the kitchen. The Rebbetzin cited seniority and baalbosteh's rights. Her daughter argued that since she always does all the cooking, it is hardly fair that the task be taken from her just when an honored guest arrives.
The case was referred for arbitration to Rabbi Schneur Zalman, who offered the following compromise: The Rebbetzin will prepare the food, but Freidkeh would add the salt. Since the food will be all but tasteless without her contribution, the privilege of feeding Rabbi Shlomo would be equally hers.
But when the much-contested dish finally reached the table, Rabbi Shlomo Karliner found himself unable to continue past the first spoonful. The force of decades-long habit had caused the Rebbetzin to salt the food without even realizing it, and Freidkeh, of course, had not failed to perform her duty. The result was simply impossible to swallow.
But the sodium story of this hapless dish was far from over: a third dash of salt now joined its predecessors, this time cast by the hand of Rabbi Schneur Zalman himself. Upon noticing the neglected plate in front of his guest, the Rebbe figured that perhaps the food is not sufficiently salted to Rabbi Shlomo's taste.
Finally, Rabbi Schneur Zalman asked the Karliner why he wasn't eating; Rabbi Shlomo replied that the food was too salty to eat. Surprized, Rabbi Schneur Zalman took another spoonful from his own plate and swallowed thoughtfully. "You know," he said, "you're right."
"From the time that I journeyed to Mezeritch to my Rebbe" the Rebbe explained "I have not sensed the taste of food."
Tid Bits
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What Does G-d Need Us For?
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Rabbi, I have two questions for you:
1) Do you make up these questions or do you receive them from real people?
2) If G-d is perfect, why did He create us? A perfect being isn't missing anything, so why would He need us? And if He doesn't need us, is our life meaningless? Are we just some divine experiment?
Answer:
Some questions are too esoteric to answer. It is beyond our limited understanding to reach a solution to all the mysteries of the universe, and these may always remain mysteries. So I will have to skip your first question and only deal with the second.
You are absolutely correct: G-d, being perfect, was missing nothing before creation. There is no possible need that this world can fulfill for Him. He doesn't need anything.
So creating us could not have been in order to fulfill a need. It was something G-d chose to do. He doesn't need us, He wants us.
What does G-d want from us? The one thing He didn't have before creation was a relationship. He was alone. What He wanted from this world was a relationship with free beings. So He created us and gave us ways of connecting to Him -- the mitzvot.
But we can't say that He needed this relationship with us. He may have been alone before creation, but he was still G-d -- perfect and missing nothing. He didn't need a relationship -- He wanted it.
Does this make our life unnecessary? Does the fact that G-d doesn't "need" us make us less significant?
No, on the contrary. When we have a relationship with someone just because we need them (such as a cleaning lady, or a family doctor) then when that need has been fulfilled the relationship ends. Your connection is dependant on them providing a service, and will only last as long as that service is needed.
But when we have a relationship with someone simply because we want to, because we have chosen to connect to them, then that bond is intrinsic. We don't love them because of what they do for us, we love them for who they are -- and that is forever.
G-d doesn't need us; He wants us. He didn't give us commandments because He needs them to be fulfilled, but because He wants us to relate to Him. If we were created because G-d needed us to do something, then we would be secondary to that mission -- once the mission was fulfilled we could be disposed of. But G-d needs nothing. He chose to bring us into being as a pure act of love.
That is the test of true love: if my beloved could no longer provide me with my needs, would I still love his or her just for being my beloved?
By creating us, G-d answered yes.
Rabbi Aron Moss teaches Kabbalah, Talmud and practical Judaism in Sydney, Australia and is a frequent contributor to Chabad.org.
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On the Frontline
Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbis have been praying with soldiers, donning Tefillin with them, encouraging them, chatting with them, bringing them cold drinks and refreshments, and even making evening barbeques...
click here to veiw
Chabad Launches Brand-New Early Childhood Development Center
Chabad of greater Jacksonville proudly announces the formation of a brand new Jewish Pre-School called Ganeinu. Ganeinu is a premier early childhood development center—a place where Jewish children will enjoy an exciting, creative and nurturing experience that will provide them with a solid foundation educationally and socially.
Affiliated with the largest and fastest growing network of Jewish educational institutions in the world, the new program is on the cutting edge of child education and skillfully designed to serve children from the widest array of Jewish backgrounds, ranging from religious to the unaffiliated.
A joint effort on the part of Chabad of NE Florida's three branches; Chabad of Mandarin; the Beaches and Southside, Ganeinu will be centrally located in the Southside, a brief driving distance from Mandarin as well as the Beaches.
The Goal of Ganeinu Early Childhood Development Center is to equip every enrolled child with the necessary skills to succeed and thrive in life, as an American and as a Jew.
For more information Please call:
Mandarin:904-262-6641
Beaches:904-543-9301
Southside:904-646-4434
S. Augustine:904-521-8664
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