In Memory of Mr.

Max Glass

In Memory of Mr. Jack Gindi

Likutei Ohr
Volume I : Issue V
Editor-in-Chief: Asher Naghi 14 Senior Editor: Micah Hyman 14 Managing Editors: Ariel Amsellem 15 Eitan Meisels 15 Layout Editor: Yair Fax 14 Marketing: Jordan Lustman 15 Distribut0rs: Mitchell Silberberg 14 Michael Lazovsky 14 Sta Advisor: Rabbi Arye Sufrin

Parshat Vayakhel - Pikudei

A publication of YULA Boys High School

Chacham Lev

Rabbi Shimon Abramczik

The Flame of Our Ancestors Do not say, When I have leisure, I will study. Perhaps you will have no leisure. - Pirkei Avot (2:4)

Telah Gems
Yonah Hiller 14

In this weeks Parsha, Parshat Vayakel, we find the interesting phenomenon of a missing letter: . -- , : , And the Princes brought the precious gems for the Eiphod and for the Chosen. Where is the Yud in the word ? Before we attempt to answer this question, let us first examine another question that arises in the beginning of Parshat Terumah. There, the Torah enumerates the different items that were donated to the Mishkan the Tabernacle seemingly in order from greatest to least value. It lists the donations as follows: gold, silver, copper, different colored wool, linen, goats hair, different kinds of skin, wood, oil, spices, and lastly, the . The last two items, the , both precious gems, were worth a great deal more than many or all of the other materials. The Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh asks why stones were listed among the least valuable donations? Rashi quotes a Midrash on this weeks Parsha that can answer the questions stated above. The Midrash explains that there was a difference in the way that the contributed to the inauguration of the and the way that they contributed to the construction of the Mishkan. By the inauguration of the ,they contributed first, before the rest of the nation. In the case of the Mishkan, however, the calculated that they should not limit Klal Yisraels opportunity to donate. They, therefore, decided to wait until the people gave, and then, the princes decided, they would compensate and donate all the necessary items that were not yet given. They did not anticipate was that everything would be donated, and they missed out on the chance to give. The only thing that was missing was the and the . When it came time to donating for the ,however, the learned from their previous mistake and jumped at the opportunity to donate. The Midrash concludes by telling us that since the showed a trace of laziness and hesitated by the ,the letter "Yud" was removed from their name. This seems to be a bit puzzling. What was so wrong with the calculations of the ? Thinking about the rest of participation and not forging ahead with their own wealth seems to be quite virtuous. The answer to this question gives us a glimpse into how we should always go about our service to Hashem. Although, it was true that these gems were by far more valuable then the rest of the items donated for the Mishkan, what is most valuable to Hashem is our deepest intentions. Because the intentions of the were lacking, the value of their gift was substantially lowered. For this reason, the stones were listed last and the "Yud" was removed from their name. Many times in life, we make calculations that seem to be logical and even more so, righteous! However, if we do not stop and take a deeper look into ourselves, we me not see our true motives. It is possible that we are just trying to take the easier way out. Throughout the four Parshiot dealing with the construction of the Mishkan, there is a recurring adjective describing all who were involved: "Chacham Lev" a wise hearted person. It wasnt enough to be intellectually wise; you had to have your heart totally focused and involved to reach the apex in your service to Hashem. This heart is what the were lacking in their contribution. May we all be as we enter the month of ,the month of redemption, to fully serve Hashem with all of our hearts and with the purest of intentions.

We recite Kiddush every Shabbos in order to sanctify the day, recognizing and remembering its holiness. Saying Kiddush helps set the proper tone for Shabbos and assists us in recognizing how holy and special the day is. So too, before Davening, it is essential to prepare and develop the proper mindset before approaching Hakdosh Baruch Hu. Chazal set up parts of Davening for preparation, such as Pezukei Dezimra as well as the repetitious physical actions that we utilize to prepare for Tefillah. It is our own personal obligation to mentally prepare as well. The Mishnah teaches us that the Chasidim Harishonim used to prepare for an hour before and after Davening. Of course, we are not expected to do the same as the Chasidim, but we can learn the importance of personal, intellectual preparation. Spending merely a couple of minutes or even a couple of seconds before each days Tefillah greatly enhances the Kavanah and quality of ones Davening. When we next sit to Davening, stop and think, Who am I standing in front of?

Inclusion and Intention

Managing Editor

Ariel Amsellem 15

Either You Are "Chosen" or Not

The Likutei Staff would like to apologize to Rabbi Frand and Rabbi Baalhaness for misconstruing their message last week and has therefore republished their article.

The first of this weeks two Parshiot, Parshat Vayakhel, opens up with the following verse: : Moses called the whole community of the children of Israel to assemble, and he said to them: These are the things that the Lord commanded to make. Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook extrapolates from the word Kol that both men and women were included in this gathering despite the fact that the construction of the Mishkan was a positive, time-bound commandment, which usually exempts women. The womens action demonstrates the unity among all of Klal Yisrael during the erection of the Mishkan no one was left out during the glorious and joyful dedication to Hashem. The people had just united in a negative manner through the sin of the Golden Calf, but now they joined together in an eminently positive Mitzvah. Through their unified acts, they were able to partially atone for their egregious sin. The Lubavitcher Rebbe has a slightly different take on this Pasuk. The Jews donations to the Mishkan were not of equal monetary value. However, he notes, they were of equal value in the eyes of Moshe because every Jews intentions were exactly the same. They all strove for one goal: the creation of a house for Hashem. Moshe, perhaps, was teaching the age-old adage: Its the thought that counts. Without the proper intent, one cannot fully achieve his goals. This is seen in the actual assemblage of the Mishkan for which the two head architects were Bezalel and Aholiav. Bezalel came from the tribe of Yehuda, the tribe of royalty. In addition, his roots could be traced to Miriam, the sister of Moshe Rabbeinu. On the other hand, Aholiav descended from Dan, a tribe born to one of the maidservant wives of Yaakov Avinu. We may have thought that the Torah would give more importance to Bezalel when talking about the Mishkan, but it does not. Their mindsets were alike and that is what counts. Both Rav Kook and Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson are teaching us very important lessons. We must always feel a bond and connection with Klal Yisrael that is used to preform Mitzvot, and we must also strive to have the proper mindset at all times. If we keep these teachings in mind and reference them in our daily lives, maybe we can make a difference.

Rav Elchonon Wasserman was in America on a fundraising trip for his Yeshiva when, on Friday night, he spoke at a Shul regarding his goals for the support of his Yeshiva. Rav Elchonon said, "For eighty dollars, every individual will have the Zechut to support the Yeshiva for one week." In the 1930s, $80 was a great deal of money and went a long way towards keeping the scholarly institution running. Rav Elchonon gave a passionate appeal, and the people, inspired by his message, were ready to contribute generously. However, the Rabbi of the Shul was not delighted to have his members write checks for $80 each. Therefore, he got up to speak right after Rav Elchonon. The Rabbi of that particular Shul spoke at length and the eager atmosphere that Rav Elchonon had created started to dissipate. At the end of his speech, the Synagogue's Rabbi advocated that "even if you give a single dollar to the Yeshiva, that itself is considered a huge and important donation." Obviously, after the congregation heard their Rabbi say that they could do the Mitzvah with such a small amount, Rav Elchonon's Yeshiva received almost nothing from the community. That night, the Shuls Rabbi went to where Rav Elchonon was staying and said to him, "I know that you are probably upset at me, and that you have complaints against me and my members" Rav Elchonon stopped him. "I have no complaints. Let's look at Parshat Ki Tisa where the Torah writes about the choosing of a builder for the Mishkan: Behold I have designated by name Bezalel son of Uri son of Chur. How was Moshe supposed to find this man, Bezalel, in a nation comprised of millions of people? Imagine that Moshe approached each Jew, Rav Elchonon continued, and asked each one if he was named Bezalel ben Uri ben Chur. If someone responded no, would Moshe have any complaint against him? No! Of course not! That Jew was simply not Bezalel and was not designated by Hashem to build the Mishkan. Likewise, Rav Elchonon explained, Hashem said that my Yeshiva would have supporters. Who are they? Obviously neither you nor the members of your Shul. You are not Bezalel just as the Jew that Moshe asked was not Bezalel. It is just a fact that you are not the person or the community that Hashem has chosen to support my Yeshivayou dont have the merit. Eventually, someone else will have the merit to come along and support my Yeshiva. I cannot be upset or offended. One needs to have a Zechut [Merit] to be able to give to a trustworthy organization. If the giver does not have that zechut, it is not the collector's problem and he should not feel offended by it.

Trying Sincerely
Adapted from Rabbi Yissocher Frand

Jesse Hyman 16

According to the Midrash, the boards of the Mishkan were extremely heavy, and its builders were unable to hold the boards together. In frustration, the builders brought all of the pieces to Moshe, who, with miraculous strength from Hashem, proceeded to put the entire Mishkan together by himself. When the Torah mentions the episode, however, it says that the builders brought the Mishkan to Moshe. The Pasuk makes it sound as though the builders brought the assembled Mishkan to Moshe, yet the Midrash discusses how the builders were unable to build the Mishkan. How does the Midrash coexist with the Pasuk? Rabbi Shlomo Breuer explains that Judaism is not a religion where all that counts is being a Jew at heart. Judaism is action oriented. Deeds such as learning Torah, performing Mitzvot, and doing Chessed is what counts. Judaism is not a religion of sentiment, but rather it is one of activity. Intent also plays a major role in Judaism. If someone tries his hardest to do a Mitzvah but is prevented by circumstances beyond his control, the Torah considers the Mitzvah completed. Judaism demands deeds, but not necessarily results. As long as a Jew puts in honest and sincere effort, Hashem considers his deeds successful. This explains why the Pasuk says the builders brought the assembled Mishkan to Moshe; since the builders tried so hard and so sincerely, it counted as though they actually built the Mishkan. This is how the Midrash can still work with the Pasuk. What can we learn from the story of the builders? When a person attempts and strives to improve in any endeavor, and he pours his heart and soul into that goal, he will always be successful. Sometimes, a person will only be physically successful, but other times he will have gained much just by trying.

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