Thursday, March 7, 2019

Thursday's Parsha Tidbits - Parshas Pikudei

The following is a brief summary of some of thoughts said over by R' Ya'akov Frand (son of R' Yissochor Frand) on the parsha this evening. I have attempted to reproduce these vorts to the best of my ability. Any perceived inconsistency is the result of my efforts to transcribe the shiur and should not be attributed to this R' Frand.

In Shemos 39:43, the Torah states that Moshe saw the entire work that was done in building the Mishkan and Moshe blessed the Jewish people. Rashi explains that the blessing was a Yehi Ratzon that the Shechina should dwell in your handiwork.

R' Frand quoted the Sefer Chassidim who asked - what kind of beracha is this? In Terumah, Hashem made a promise - V'asu Li Mikdash V'Shacanti B'Socham - if you make for me a Mikdash, I will dwell in it. So Hashem had already said that He would dwell here and there was no question that it was built properly as the Torah states that Moshe observed that it was built correctly. So what was the blessing?

R' Frand also quoted the Ksav Sofer who observes that the Yehi Ratzon usually has a subject we are addressing - it does not say Hashem or before Hashem?

R' Frand answered that the purpose of the Mishkan was not to be a place for Hashem to live. The purpose was so that Hashem will dwell with and among the person - B'socha Lo Ne'emar, Ela Besochum. The point of the Mishkan was to have an encounter with Hashem and then take Him with us in every aspect of our lives. Thus the Yehi Ratzon was addressing Hashem, since Hashem promised that he would come to the Mishkan if we built it. Instead, Moshe was telling the Jews - it should be your will that you do your part and then take Him with you - don't leave Hashem alone in the Mishkan, take Him with you.

R' Frand then linked this to the second pasuk of the parsha which states that Betzalel did everything that Hashem commanded Moshe. Rashi notes that the pasuk does not say that Betzalel listened to Moshe - it says that he built was Hashem commanded Moshe. Rashi also quotes the Gemara in Berachos where Moshe told Betzalel to make certain things. Betzalel answered - this is not the way of the world - first you build then house and then you furnish it. Moshe was thrilled with Betzalel and said - maybe you were there with Hashem when he said this, since what you are saying rings so true.

R' Frand quoted R' Simcha Zissel Brody who asked - Betzalel knew the secrets and the master code for creation and was able to distill them into the creation of the vessels of the Mishkan. He was unique and the Ramban said that from the creation of the world he was designated for this job. But that did not impress Moshe. Moshe did not say - you are great because you know the secrets. He was impressed because Betzalel knew the way of the world - first you build the house and then you furnish it. Why was he more impressed with decorating tips than creation of the world?

Additionally, what was it that Betzalel understood which Moshe did not? It was the way of the world! Moshe found him unique in that even though he knew creation, he also knew how to merge that with the mundane ways of the world. He was able to link those secrets to simple construction and had the sensitivity to integrate it into the ways of the world.

This was the purpose of the Mishkan and why Betzalel was suited for the task. The Mishkan was not meant to be a place purely spiritual where only Hashem could live. He wanted a place where we can integrate it into our lives - carpools and traffic and mistakes that we or our children make. This was the wisdom of Betzalel - putting it all together - because he infused the Mishkan with its mission - to take Hashem and integrate it into our lives (Carpools have Kedusha! Redecorating tips are chachma!). This was the beracha of Moshe - you should have the ability to integrate the connection with Hashem into your daily lives.

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