Parshat Vayakhel The Mishkan A Perpetuation of Maamad

Parshat Vayakhel: The Mishkan: A Perpetuation of Ma’amad Har Sinai Shiur by Menachem Leibtag Presentation by Ronni Libson

Order of presentation of items relating to Mishkan Teruma/Tezaveh Vayakhel/Pkudei Introduction – Shchina Keilim (chapter 25) Shabbat • When construction work is permitted (35: 1 -3) • The aron – which will house the luchot • The kaporet – from where God will speak to Moshe • The shulchan – on which the lechem will be placed • The menora - which will provide light Teruma Structure – ohel moed (chapter 26) Structure –ohel moed (36: 8 -38) • The “yeriot” • The “krashim” • The “parochet” Chatzer (chapter 27) • The mizbayach – the alter in front of the ohel moed • The courtyard – “amudei v’kalei ha’chatzer “ Kohanim (chapters 28 & 29) • The bigdei Kehuna • The dedication ceremony (miluim) Misc. Topics (chapter 30) The builder – Betzalel (chapter 31) Shabbat (build Mishkan forbidden - 31: 11 -17) • Collection of building materials (35: 4 -29) The builder • Appointment of Betzalel – and fellow artisans • The “yeriot” • The “krashim” • The “parochet” Keilim (chapter 37) • The aron • The shulchan • The menora • The mizbach ktoret (from misc. above) Chatzer (chapter 38) • The mizbayach • The kiyor (from misc. above) • The courtyard Kohanim (chapter 39) • The bigdei Kehuna Construction • Assembly of the Mishkan on 1 st of Nissan (40: 1 -33) Shchina • God’s glory dwells on the Mishkan (40: 34 -38)

Questions: v Why are all details of Mishkan repeated? After all, it is a one-time mitzva! v Why is the Shchina aspect, which plays a prominent in Teruma/Tezaveh, almost missing from Vayakhel/Pekudei? v Why does Shmot only record only those relating to the Mishkan? First 40 days: Last 40 days: Moshe receives many mitzvot on Har Sinai, and tells them all to Bnei Yisrael

Ramban Spiritual level Bnei Yisrael attained at Ma’amad Har Sinai was lost as a result of chet ha’egel God removed Shchina Shmot ends with Mishkan Bnei Yisrael must actively bring it back Involvement in process of building Mishkan – “spiritual rehabilitation” Completion of Bnei Yisrael’s redemption

Construction of Mishkan as “tikun” for chet ha’egel Mishkan Chet Ha’egel “New” gathering of people for construction of Mishkan serves as “tikun” for original gathering to build egel Mishkan Chet Ha’egel Commandment to donate gold and other objects is “tikun” for donating gold for egel

Construction of Mishkan as “tikun” for chet ha’egel Repeated over 20 times throughout Vayakhel/Pekudei Chet ha’egel – physical representation of their perception of God When God chooses symbol of physical representation Innocent goal – leads to idol worship Mitzva Mishkan Torah stresses Bnei Yisrael learned their lesson: Construct Mishkan precisely “as God commanded Moshe”

Mishkan: After all components are put into place Dwelling of Shchina on Mishkan Dwelling of Shchina on Har Sinai Only after constructing Mishkan – – does Shchina return to Bnei Yisrael Ramban: End of Sefer Shmot – completion of tikun for chet ha’egel Entire redemption process is complete

Gan Eden – ideal spiritual environment Sin of Adam – banished from Gan Eden: Keruvim guard the path of return to the Tree of Life Mishkan – only other context keruvim are mentioned: 1) On kaporet – protectors of aron, which contains luchot 2) Woven into parochet – curtains which guard entrance into Kodesh ha’kodashim (where aron and luchot are)

Conceptual relationship between Gan Eden and Mishkan: v Keruvim on kaporet (protecting aron) “Tree of Life” of Gan Eden has been replaced by Torah (luchot inside aron) v Keruvim woven into parochet remind man: entry into Kodesh ha’kodashim remains limited and requires spiritual readiness Mishkan – “Tikun” for sin of Adam in Gan Eden Should man wish to return to the Tree of Life, he must keep God’s covenant – the laws of the Torah, as symbolized by the luchot ha’edut in the aron, protected by the keruvim