Rabbi's Blog - Chabad of the Bay Area

Tales of the Tabernacle

Friday, February 28, 2014 - 12:41 AM

The Torah tell us twice about all of the details of the Mishkan's (Tabernacle's) construction. After telling us in great detail how to build it, it then recounts for us -- and once again in great detail -- how it was indeed constructed according to the specs.

Why the seemingly superfluous repetition of information? Wouldn't it have been enough to simply conclude with "...and the Children of Israel built the Mishkan exactly as G-d instructed them?"

One answer is that through this retelling of the people's actions, G-d is expressing great pride in them, pride in the fact that they loyally fulfilled their part of the bargain, acting as worthy partners to G-d in bringing to fruition the vision He has for this world.

This idea is still very much true for us today, as we are still partners with the Al-mighty. He needs us to build a moral and just society according to His vision, and we need Him to bless our efforts and to infuse our actions with holiness.

United we stand

Friday, February 21, 2014 - 2:23 AM

When talking about the laws of the Mishkan (the desert tabernacle) it says that “Moses gathered all of the Jewish people” and then proceeded to tell them the details of its construction.

Why does the Torah specifically mention Moses gathering the Jews at this point? Wasn’t this done every time he had something new to teach them?

Gathering means bringing disparate parts together. Moses gathering the people teaches us that ‘Unity’ is a necessary precursor for the building of the Mishkan, a building whose entire purpose is to bring G-d’s presence down here below. G-d’s presence can only rest in a wholesome place.

As we recite in the Amidah prayer: “Bless us our father, all of us as One.” In other words, when are we suitable to receive blessing from Above? When we are united.

Too much gold?

Friday, February 14, 2014 - 10:00 AM

Ever have too much of a good thing?

The Jewish people became fabulously wealthy from all of the gold and jewels that washed up on shore from their drowned enslavers, Pharaoh and his army.

What to do with so much gold? Well, some troublemakers figured making a Golden Calf and worshipping it would be just the right thing.

What was G-d’s response? Get rid of all the gold? No! Take your gold, silver and copper and build a beautiful Temple in the desert!

Everything in this world can be used for good or bad. Sometimes, one of our gifts in life actually leads us astray down the wrong path. The Torah’s answer to that is not necessarily to dump it all, but rather to redirect that talent, gift or energy toward something good.

Crushed but not broken

Thursday, February 6, 2014 - 8:24 PM

"You shall command the children of Israel, and they shall take to you pure olive oil, crushed for lighting, to kindle the lamps continually," is G-d's instruction to Moses in this week's Torah portion.

This seemingly superfluous detail, to "crush" the olives in order to make oil, actually bears a lesson and reminder for all time.

There may be times when we feel crushed by the hardships of life. G-d reminds us, however, that wonderful oil emerges from the olive only after it is put through the squeeze. We carry within ourselves tremendous resources, but sometimes it takes a crushing experience to help bring those treasures out into the open.

And when it does, what emerges is a special 'pure oil' that can kindle a bright, holy, warm and illuminating flame like no other.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Yitzi Schmukler