Close To Torah

It is a famous rule that the building of the Mishkan does not push off the laws of Shabbos. More so, we actually learn the prohibitions of Shabbos from the building of the Mishkan. Anything that was considered a melacha, constructive action, in the Mishkan is prohibited on Shabbos (Shabbos 96b). This week’s Parsha recounts the terrible sin of the Golden Calf which seems to be deeply connected to the Mishkan and Shabbos which are both discussed at length in the Parsha as well.

The Midrash tells us that Klal Yisrael heard about Olam Habah from Hashem and they asked to taste a sample of it. Hashem responded by telling them, “for this reason I gave you Shabbos.” The 10 Commandments are found in the Torah twice, in Parshas Yisro and VaEschanan. In Parshas VaEschanan (Devarim 5:12), when Shabbos is commanded, it states, “Keep the Shabbos as Hashem your God commanded you.” In the 10 Commandments’ first appearance in Yisro, it omits any reason as to why one should keep Shabbos. The Aruch HaShulchan (Orach Chaim 1; Rabbi Yechiel Michel Epstein, 1829-1908) is perplexed by this and he provides a powerful answer that I believe ties everything together.

He answers that the first Luchos were given at Har Sinai but were smashed due to the Jew’s sinning with the Golden Calf. The second Luchos were given 80 days later when the Jews received atonement and Hashem gave them a second chance. The change in the wording became necessary after the sin of the Golden Calf. There are two major benefits of Shabbos, the first is the physical and mental rest and comfort that it brings. The second is the spiritual connection that Shabbos opens up between us and Hashem. Before the sin of the Golden Calf, the Jews were on the level of serving Hashem l’shem shamayim, with full devotion and focus on fulfilling His will, therefore, any commandment that was given was self-understood that its purpose was to forge a bond between Klal Yisrael and Hashem. After the sin, Hashem had to remind the Jews, keep Shabbos, not just for selfish personal reasons, but rather do it in order to develop our relationship and connection, “as I commanded you,” do it because you want to connect and follow me!

The Mishkan and Shabbos represent the same theme, both are places where we connect with Hashem in the most real and intimate way. This is the precise theme of Olam Habah. Hashem put us in this world in order to build closeness with Him and to ultimately earn our place close to Him in Olam Habah. The Golden Calf stood in direct opposition to this goal. It is no surprise that the Zohar tells us that Talmedei Chachamim live their week with the Kedusha of Shabbos and the Gemara (B”B 17a) tells us that Tzaddikim live life on earth as if they are already in Olam Habah. Both of these statements hint to the closeness and pleasure that one can achieve in this world when connecting to Hashem. May we merit to feel the radiance of Shabbos and the connection with Hashem!

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Categories: Parshas Ki Sisa Tags: Shabbos