Why The Repeat? – A Short Thought on Parshas Vayakhel Pekudei 5770
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Loading ...Every year I struggle with the question of why the Torah found it necessary to dedicate four whole Parshiyos to describing the commandment, building and accounting of the Mishkan? The question always takes me by surprise… Then I search through the Commentators until I find a satisfying answer. This year, Rabbeinu Bechya was my saviour. He states the following interesting observation.
The Torah dedicates much space in describing the Mishkan in order that we should notice it and ask why?! The answer is because the Mishkan is a fundamental spiritual component which is so vital to Klal Yisrael. We should follow its lesson!
I understand Rabbeinu Bechya to mean that the Mishkan was the place on earth where we connect to Hashem. We use the physical world to invite Hashem to dwell with us. This is the foundation of the entire Torah. Our goal is to invite Hashem to be part of our daily life! The Mishkan is given much attention in order to ensure that we learn its paramount message. We too can build a “Mishkan” in our homes.
I like this explanation so much that I might even remember it next year when I am suddenly hit by the question, why does the Torah spend so much time on the Mishkan’s details?!
how are you pronouncing Bechya? i know ppl mispronounce it as b’cha.ya and I was taught that it was bach.ya
Reply to joel schnur
Hi,
Nice to hear from you!
Rabbeinu Bechya is one of my most used Rishonim.
Rabbi Shvel discusses your point in his introduction Al HaTorah.
I specifically spelled it this way in order to satisfy any pronunciation!
All the best,
Yosef
Reply to Rabbi Yosef Tropper