The Mishkan was the central point of Hashem’s ‘concentration’ in the desert. The professionalism that was present in its construction was nothing short of amazing. A nation of former slaves without any skilled training produced a beautiful edifice with remarkable talent.
The Shabbos preceding Purim which falls out at the end of next week, Friday is auspicious. Although in the Haftarah we remind ourselves of King Saul’s failure to eradicate Amalek, we read the special parsha urging and motivating us to fulfill the obligation to destroy any remnant of that evil nation.
This Shabbos we read the parsha dealing with the half-shekels that each person gave with which to purchase the animals for sacrificial purposes in the Mishkan, and later in the Beis Hamikdash, during the year. Of course, the obvious question is why wasn’t the donor base fashioned upon each person’s willingness to give just like the accumulation for the building of the Mishkan?
We are prohibited to offer sacrifices to other ‘gods,’ only to Hashem Himself. The terminology invoked to stress that we should serve exclusively Hashem is somewhat lengthy and furthermore, since one involved in idol worship deserves the death penalty, doesn’t that automatically denote that we should only serve Hashem?
Yisro joins the Jewish nation and immediately recommends that instead of Moshe administering justice to all the disputes that occur with the people, rather there needs to be a judicial system with many judges to arbitrate all these matters. And he is very strong about his suggestion stating that if Hashem will concur with my idea than you will be successful otherwise the present approach will fail. Didn’t Moshe himself realize the imperfection of the present system and perhaps think that it needed to be revamped?
During the traveling in the desert, they were bereft of water and complained to Moshe that they were very thirsty. The only available water was bitter and unfit to drink. Moshe took a stick as commanded by Hashem which was caustic and tossed it into the water. The acerbic piece of wood actually sweetened the water allowing the people to quench their thirst.
The time had come for the nation to leave Egypt which was anyhow in ruins and almost completely destroyed. However, before they exited their house of bondage there was a request. At the time when Hashem informed Avrohom that his descendants would be enslaved a promise was made that they would be enriched with the spoils of Egypt.
When Hashem commanded Moshe to lead the uprising against Pharoah and extricate the nation from bondage, he retorted that they will not believe me. Hashem punished him for that and to insure that their faith would be strengthened he gave Moshe signs to present to the people.
The situation in Egypt was precarious at best. Hard labor and oppression were the bread of affliction that our forefathers endured for generations. Battered by their taskmasters and bereft of leadership to inspire them life was difficult and challenging. Then a decree was proclaimed that the children, our future and legacy, should be tossed into the Nile and drowned.
Yaakov gave Yosef a double portion in the land one for each of his sons. The area which was given to them was ‘conquered’ by Yaakov through his sword and bow. The Aramaic translation of this verse alludes to davening. And the Talmud also refers to the sword and bow as an allusion to davening.