Introduction
Shabbos Bereishis acts as a bridge between the spiritually-charged month of Tishrei and the rest of the year; by selling the Mitzvos on this Shabbos we permeate the coming year’s worth of worldly involvement with the awareness that the very purpose of our re-entry into commerce and money-making is only to enable us to ‘acquire’ Mitzvos – to support a Shul or Yeshivah, Torah and Mitzvos. Further, as preparation for our divine service of transforming the world into a ‘dwelling’ for Hashem, we begin the year by strengthening and donating to the Shul – which constitutes a mini-Beis Hamikdash; a house where the Divine Presence ‘dwells.’ Lastly, Shabbos Bereishis is also Shabbos Mevarchim Marcheshvan; and since we are currently preparing for the Third Beis Hamikdash – which Hashem will consecrate in the month of Marcheshvan – we sell the Mitzvos in support of a Shul [a mini-Beis Hamikdash].
Mitzvah Bid
The procedure of ‘Selling the Mitzvos’ is such that the would-be purchasers compete for the highest bid to obtain the rights to a particular Mitzvah. The money of the winner, i.e., the highest bidder, goes towards the needs of the Shul and [where applicable] study hall.
The Power of a Gabai
The regular practice [in 770] is for the Gabai of the Shul to sell the Mitzvos. He wears a Shtreimel whilst doing so, in order to emphasis the quality and importance associated with the position of Gabai; it is due to the prominence of his position that he holds the power to rouse the congregation to donate their money for the needs of the Shul.
Compete for the Honor of Donating
One of the ways in which a Gabai motivates the congregation is via his public announcements. In this case, by announcing the figures and naming the buyers, he employs the benefits of competitive donating, spurring the congregants to increase their planned donation to the Shul; indeed, ‘all who increase are praiseworthy!’
Quality Cargo
The Gabai should make certain to follow the conduct of vendors and to praise his merchandise. [In 770,] for a start, we are selling the ‘rights’ to Mitzvos that will be performed in the Shul and study hall of the Leader of our generation – wherein he prayed, studied and so forth...
