This Shabbos we will read the parsha that discusses the upcoming month of Nissan. It is considered the first and foremost of the months of the year. What indeed is so significant about this month. Of course, we bring the special Passover sacrifice in this month, however why would that make the month itself so important?
After an enjoyable and lively Purim, we begin our ascent to the Yom Tov of Pesach. Of course, there is a lot more work that Pesach entails such as clearing the house of any remaining chometz and kashering the kitchen and buying only specially made food products for Pesach. There is another facet to this wonderful Yom Tov that is not extant at this time.
Purim is here with the masks and hamantashen. However, what is behind those masks. What is the essence of this incredibly exciting and joyous Yom Tov? R’ Yitzchok Luria better known as the AriZl suggests an amazing understanding of this special day. In Hebrew, the word Yom Kippur contains within its spelling the word Purim. Therefore, he states that even Yom Kippur, which we all view as the most auspicious and hallowed day of the year, is only like Purim.
Chasam Sofer cites Rabbeinu Bachya that the length of duration of the first and second Beis Hamikdash is alluded to in the beginning of this parsha. The opening verse states that these are the accountings of ‘the Mishkan’ the ‘Mishkan of Testimony.’ The words ‘the Mishkan’ in Hebrew is one word ‘HaMishkan’ which using ‘Gematriya’ the numerical equivalent of the Hebrew letters equals 415 and since there are five letters in that word that total sum is 420, the span of time of the second Beis Hamikdash.
This is the only parsha in the Torah that begins with this word “vayakhel” which means to gather together. The Midrash comments that Hashem instructed Moshe to assemble the people jointly on Shabbos and lecture them on the laws of Shabbos. It continues that future generations will derive from this practice to also congregate and teach their communities the different laws pertaining to what is permissible and what is prohibited in general but not necessarily related to Shabbos.
We know that Moshe was the supreme prophet in our nation. He descended from Mt. Sinai with the tablets upon which were inscribed the Ten Commandments and he conveyed to the entire nation the Oral Law which in great detail explains the Written Law, the Torah. There is a facet to this narrative which requires a depth of explanation.
We are well aware of the dispute between Korach and Moshe. One of his basic claims was why it is necessary to have special people conduct the service in the Mishkan. After all, the entire nation was consecrated after we received the Torah on Mt. Sinai so why can’t we all partake of the privilege of offering the sacrifices and the other duties that pertain to the operation of the Mishkan?
The Mishkan that was erected in the desert was a stunning work of art. The covering was a beautifully fashioned woven tapestry and the walls were made from acacia wood perfectly attached and set up to form a parameter around the inside for the Aron that housed the Tablets from Mt. Sinai, the exquisite candelabrum, the table of the showbread and the golden altar. Of course, the outside altar was used for the regular sacrifices surrounded by an array of specially designed curtains.
We are introduced in the parsha to a very interesting concept of owning a Jewish slave. Specifically, we are dealing with one who has stolen and was unable to repay for his robbery. The Beis Din, the Jewish court system, sells the burglar in order to pay the debt and after six years he is freed. However, there is a clause that if the slave wishes to remain with his master he may do so.
In today’s world of inappropriate classifications, we sometimes are confused as to what is really what! As an example, would be what is really royalty and what does it mean? As we look eastward at the UK we will notice that people of truly no majestic quality parading as though they really are. And they usurp millions from the common folk who indeed work very hard as opposed to the king and queen who do nothing and yet are treated with tremendous respect and reverence.