Pekudei: Unlocking True Joy

2022

Good morning, everyone! A blessed Rosh Chodesh Adar, Simcha da Chodesh, to all of you.

This Adar is a double month, Adar Sheini, offering us an extraordinary opportunity. In our prayers, we specifically add ulchaparat pesha – an extra month to make amends, not merely to be joyful. This highlights a crucial theme: making amends with joy, feeling privileged and blessed to have this extended time to draw closer to Hashem before Nissan and Pesach.

This message is dedicated leilui nishmat our unforgettable friend, Shoshana bat Avraham. Shoshana was a true symbol of Simchat Chaim (joy of life). Her radiant smile, despite all challenges, never faded until her last day. May her neshama have an Aliyah.

On a happier note, this week we celebrate our grandson's Bar Mitzvah in Yerushalayim! I look forward to seeing my dear friends there this coming Monday, B'ezrat Hashem.

Coming Full Circle: The Parasha of Pekudei

This week's Parasha, Pekudei, might seem like a repetition of previous weeks. However, I call this message "Coming Full Circle" because it signifies the completion of the Mishkan's building.

How to Achieve True Joy (Simcha) in Challenging Times

We are living in challenging times, with many of our brothers and sisters facing difficulties, from refugees in Ukraine to personal struggles. How can we achieve true joy amidst such hardship? Our Sages offer three key insights:

• Positive Thought (Bemahshava): The word besimcha (with joy) shares the same letters as bemahshava (in thought). Chazal teach us that our perspective shapes our outlook. If we believe Hashem has a purpose for everything and will guide us through difficult moments, knowing we have a loving Father caring for us, it brings inner peace and joy. This is the first step: harboring positive, uplifting thoughts and resisting the yetzer hara's attempts to pull us down with sadness.

• Giving to Others: A wealthy man once approached a Rebbe, expressing his lack of inner joy despite his riches. The Rebbe asked, "How much do you care about and give to others?" He explained the verse in Tehillim, "You removed my sack of mourning and clothed me with joy." The Rebbe interpreted this as: "How much do you open saki (your bag/wallet) to give to others?" When we share and think of others, it brings immense fulfillment and joy, as we've witnessed recently with efforts to help refugees.

• Achieving Life's Purpose: The tremendous joy experienced by Am Yisrael upon the Mishkan's completion illustrates this. When we have a purpose in life and feel Hashem is helping us achieve it, coming full circle and completing our mission brings true joy. We feel we have accomplished something positive that Hashem expects of us.

The Mishkan: A Symbol of Forgiveness and Enduring Love

• Elipkudei HaMishkan: The Parasha begins with a detailed account of the materials used for the Mishkan. The Mishkan was an ehud (witness) that Hashem had forgiven Am Yisrael for the sin of the Golden Calf. Everyone participated, bringing immense joy as they felt they had made amends.

• Mishkan HaEdut: Rashi, citing the Midrash, explains that the word "Mishkan" is mentioned twice to allude to future historical events: the Mishkan in the desert, the First and Second Batei Mikdash (which would be destroyed), and the third, which will stand forever. This is a message of enduring love from Hashem. Even if physical structures are destroyed, the essence of the Jewish people will live on. Hashem destroys stones and wood, but never His people.

• "Kasher Tziva Hashem Et Moshe": The phrase "as Hashem commanded Moshe" is mentioned 18 times in this Parasha. The Midrash connects this to the 18 blessings of the Shemoneh Esrei prayer. Just as Moshe built the Mishkan precisely as commanded, without changing a single detail, so too our prayers, which replace the Korbanot (sacrifices) after the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash, must be offered with complete devotion to Hashem's will. When we live according to His commandments, we merit the rebuilding of the Beit HaMikdash.

Moshe's Blessing: "May the Beauty of Hashem Reside Upon Us"

Upon seeing the completed Mishkan, Moshe Rabbeinu blessed the people, saying, "Vayehi Noam Hashem Elokeinu Aleinu, Umaasei Yadenu Konanah Aleinu" – "May the beauty of Hashem, our God, be upon us; and the work of our hands, establish it for us" (Tehillim, Chapter 90).

• Some interpretations suggest that Moshe's blessing, by mentioning "Maasei Yadenu" twice, alludes to the building of the two future Batei Mikdash.

• Moshe acknowledged Hashem's boundless greatness, asking how His presence could reside in a limited physical space. He concluded that it was the nation's total submission and love in building the Mishkan that enabled Hashem's presence to dwell among them, as it says, "Vasuli Mikdash V'Shachanti B'tocham" – "Make Me a sanctuary, and I will dwell among them."

The Power of Longing and Inner Desire

The Midrash teaches a beautiful lesson about the erection of the Mishkan. The wooden planks and foundations were so heavy that Bezalel and Oholiav, despite their efforts, could not lift them. People began to murmur, wondering if Hashem had truly forgiven them. Hashem then instructed Moshe to erect the Mishkan.

• Moshe had felt dejected for not participating in the Mishkan's construction or contributing materially. Hashem told him, "You have such a longing and love for Me. I will show everyone that you are the one to make this Mishkan stand, an act no one else could do."

• This teaches us that even when we feel physically incapable, a strong inner desire and longing can enable us to achieve what seems impossible. Just as Pharaoh's daughter's arm miraculously extended to save baby Moshe, Hashem helps us when we genuinely strive.

The Lessons for Adar: Strengthening Ourselves

As we approach Purim, we are reminded of the events in Shushan Habira. When the Jews faced an impossible physical threat, they turned to prayer and repentance, crying out to Hashem. This demonstrates that when we truly desire to draw closer to Hashem and do His will, He will save us.

• Hazak, Hazak V'Nitchazek! This week marks a time to strengthen ourselves, particularly in Simcha, knowing that Hashem will send salvation and comfort.

• The word Hazak (strong) can be broken down: Harisha (to plow), Zeriah (to sow seeds), and Kefirah (to harvest). To grow and strengthen ourselves, we must plant seeds, invest effort, and give the best of ourselves. Hashem will help us in return.

A Personal Glimpse of Divine Providence

This week, my husband required an emergency visit to the hospital in Yerushalayim. As I worried about what to expect, a young doctor with a Spanish accent entered. I asked where he was from, and he replied, "Chile." I then asked if he knew my children. To my astonishment, he said, "Yes! I just got married two weeks ago, and they were guests of honor at my wedding!" The chance of meeting a doctor, a former student of my son-in-law, who my children knew and rejoiced with, in an emergency room, was incredible. This is how Hashem shows us His care, sending the exact right shaliach (emissary) to assist us in challenging times. (This is for our friends in Santiago, referring to Dr. Marcel, Baruch Hashem.)

The Power of Silence and Humility

A true story from a few weeks ago highlights another powerful lesson:

An American seminary girl in a hospital, suffocating from her mask, stepped out for a moment. Upon returning to her place in line, a woman began screaming at her, publicly humiliating her. The girl remained silent. Later, a pregnant woman approached her, begging for a bracha (blessing). She explained that according to Chazal, a person humiliated in public has the power to give a true bracha. Her nine-year-old son had a brain tumor, and she was pregnant with twins, one of whom had a serious problem. The girl, though embarrassed, blessed them. She was asked to pray for them on Purim.

A week later, the girl received a call from the mother: her son's tumor had unbelievably shrunk, and he no longer needed chemo! Two days later, the husband called: his wife had given birth to healthy premature twins!

This powerful story reminds us of the strength in remaining silent and the incredible power of a person who has been humiliated. As Rav Chaim Kanievsky zt"l said, "The world stands on those who know to refrain from answering back, who do not create further strife."

Have a wonderful Shabbos! Good Chodesh, Hazak Hasmeinu! May we only share good news, and may this be a month of joy and salvation. All my love from Yerushalayim!