VOLUME 116 NUMBER 2
Sivan 10, 5785
June 6, 2025
Parshas Nasso
Candlelighting Time 8:08
Wagons were donated to the Mishkan to carry the beams that encompassed the inner sanctum. However, the Torah states that the descendants of Kehas, the eldest son of Levi, were not privy to those wagons because they carried the most reverent items of the Mishkan such as the Aron. Although simplistically understood this means that those very important components of the Mishkan needed to be attended to with a high degree of deference, the Chofetz Chaim in the name of a respected Torah sage offers a different interpretation of this point.
We know that the Aron was self-sufficient, in other words, although seemingly it was carried by the members of Khas, nonetheless it actually ‘carried’ its own bearers. The wagons, of course, were led by oxen. Therefore, would the wagons have been used to transport the Aron then it would have been that the wagons drawn by the oxen actually would have been carried by the Aron itself. Certainly, it would not have been respectful to allow the Aron to carry animals. Therefore, the Aron was carried by people and not a wagon. Although this seems to be a very forthright and clear-cut point, actually it contains a nugget that is very profound and has a very integral message.
Chinuch writes that the mitzvah to carry the Aron personally stems from the idea that we must accord Torah the most honor and reverence possible. That would not have been accomplished if the Aron had been transferred from place to place on a wagon. Not only would that have been callous and highly depersonalized, which in itself would have been very demeaning, but additionally the rendering of veneration and admiration would have been lacking.
Having this in mind and understanding well the theme presented by the Chofetz Chaim not only must we accord honor at all times but indeed the majestic nature of Torah and its worldly significance must be reflected by those who are involved in its study. As Maimonides emphasizes, the dress, speech and mannerisms of a Torah scholar must be displayed in regal fashion at all times. The impact of Torah on an individual demonstrates its effect. One who studies Torah is obligated to conduct himself in a special way showing that his own personality development and character enhancement have been shaped and honed to perfection due to his engrossment in Torah study.
Furthermore, it is possible to discern from the mitzvah of the Mishkan while it was dismantled and displaced temporarily until the next encampment that transference of Torah did not diminish its esteem or integrity. Indeed, the utmost care and concern for its dignity was maintained at such a level that although not present in its regular form, nonetheless upon its erection at the next stop in the desert it didn’t just regain its status amongst the nation rather it reassumed its position in the camp. Perhaps this is the lesson that we must imbibe that no matter how big the challenge and how difficult the situation, the ideals of Torah and its study must never be minimized and on the contrary we must maintain its integrity to serve as our lighthouse for all generations.
A BYTE FOR SHABBOS
The Torah obligates us to confess for the sin of stealing. Essentially, every sin is a form of robbery because we are abusing the gifts Hashem has endowed us with. Returning to Hashem, repentance, is truthfully returning to the ‘owner’ the item that has been illegally taken. S’FAS EMES
GOOD SHABB0S
