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YPM MEMBERSHIP PAYMENT

A short beautiful idea on Ki Tetze, to uplift and to be shared on your Shabbat table with Friends and family. 

Are we concerned about a donkey's thoughts? How important is it to be sensitive? Do tzitzit need to be inside or outside a cemetery?

Shabbat Shalom, Eliyahou Binyamin Moses

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AdiPd6H6GE

Dear Mogen David Family,

Each and every Shabbat we recall commemorate not only the first Shabbat of the world, mentioned in Parashat Bereishit, but also the creation of the world--'Zecher L'Ma'aseh Bereishit.' This establishes the relationship between Shabbat and creativity or, as seen through the laws of the building of the Mishkan, our completion of creativity on Yom Shevi'i.

A very definitive relationship exists between the construction of the Mishkan and our observance of Shabbat. The Lamed-Tet Melachot, the 39 forbidden acts of labor, are derived from the categories of labor used to build the Mishkan. This linkage is alluded to at the beginning of Parashat VaYakhel: "Moshe assembled all of the congregation...these are the matters ('Eleh HaDevarim')...do not burn fire in all of your living quarters on the day of Shabbat" (Shemot, 35:1-3). The word "Eleh" in gematria equals 36; "Devarim" in the plural form implies 2; "Ha" meaning 'the' adds the additional 1, totaling 39 [36+2+1=39]. All the of the Melachot are defined independantly as constructive, thoughtful, and purposeful--'Melecht Machshevet.' Many commentators grapple with the connection between the Mishkan and Shabbat. On a philosophical and spiritual level, what accounts for their interconnectedness?

Perhaps the relationship stems from a debate regarding the purpose of the Mishkan itself. The Rambam--among others, i.e. the Sefer HaChinuch--champions the position that the Mishkan's primary function was a place to offer sacrifices to Hashem, a Makom L'Hakravat Korbanot. The Ramban, in his Perush Al HaChumash, disagrees and explains the Mishkan was instituted as place for HaShra'at HaShechina, a resting place to experience and feel the Divine Presence.

Offering Korbanot and experiencing the Presence of the Shechina are two different modes of moving closer to Hashem, the former an external expression of proximity to the Ribbono Shel Olam, and the latter an internal manifestation of closeness and comfort. On the one hand the Mishkan provided a physical, material medium to connect with our Creator. (This accounts for the many commentaries who understand the command to build the Mishkan as an atonement, Kappara, for the Chet Ha-Egel). On the other hand, the Mishkan was a symbol of the awesome experience of encountering the Almighty in the spiritual realm.

The designated day of Shabbat serves to accomplish both purposed of the Mishkan through Seudah and Tefilla. We connect to Hashem both physically and spiritually, externally and internally. Shabbat is a day of rest' from the divrei chol of our workweek, an opportunity to reach higher and travel closer to Hashem.

May we enjoy our Shabbat--this special gift from Hashem--in all permitted ways and, like the Mishkan, it should bring us ever closer to HaKadosh Baruch Hu.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Yehuda Moses Rav HaKehillah/Senior Rabbi