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Rashi notes the strange way that this Pasuk is
structured. Rather than say, "Betzalel did all
that Moshe had commanded him" the verse intimates
that Betzalel somehow knew the (private)
discussions that were previously held between
Hashem & Moshe! What is going on here?
Rashi (Brachot 55) comments that Moshe & Betzalel
had a fundamental difference over the order of
the Mishkan’s building: Moshe thought to first
create the various objects to be placed in the
Mishkan - the Menora, Mizbeyach, Aron, etc) -
while Betzalel felt it is the building that must
first be constructed, & only then the objects
placed inside. Moshe demurred to Betzalel,
acknowledging that this, indeed, was the right
order & the one which Hashem had communicated to
him. "You certainly befit your name!" says Moshe,
"you are "B-Tzel-El," in the shadow of G-d," i.e.
as close to Hashem as a shadow, such that you
were able to hear His words spoken specifically to me.
There is much to say here. First, this episode is
indicative of Moshe’s amazing sense of
humility; the great man of Israel, more than 100
years old, is prepared to concede to a boy of 13!
And it shows Moshe’s Mida of Emet-Truth; if
Betzalel has it right, then that must be the way to go.
But another overriding principle is at work as
well: The house must take precedence, & be built
first, even before the most precious of its
furnishings. But friends, this does not only
apply to the Mishkan! The House of Israel, too,
needs to be built, & built up, before its various
parts can be assembled. We must create a society
that is based on Unity, love of our fellow Jew,
Chesed & Justice in which to house our most
precious objects - Jews of every type.
There is a well-known institute in Jerusalem with
numerous holy objects to be used in a future
Mishkan. Nearby is the site of the Bet HaMikdash,
& a bit further away is our seat of government. I
find it ironic & sad that the Kotel & Knesset,
which should be elevated places of commonality &
camaraderie, & symbols of our collective honor &
pride, are all-too often arenas of divisiveness,
political enmity & intra-Jewish strife.
Chazal discuss the many blessings that flow to us
from G-d. But these Brachot must have a home, a
receptacle, a crucible in which to reside. And
what is that? It is Shalom/Peace - both external
& internal. In fact, peace between our fellow
Jews far outweighs peace between us & the outside
world. And that is our greatest, most pressing
challenge: to construct a national home for all of Am Yisrael built on Unity.
If we build it, they - the Brachot, as well as
all the Jewish People – will surely come.
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
