Chapter V
פרק ה', משנה ו:' עשרה דברים נבראו בערב שבת בין השמשות, ואלו הן: ;הטמהו ;ןמהו ;תשקה ;ןותאה יפ ;ראבה יפ ;ץראה יפ והשמיר; הכתב; והמכתב; והלוחות ...
Chapter 5, Mishnah 6: Ten things were created at twilight of Shabbos eve. These are, (1.) the mouth of the earth, (2.) the mouth of (Miriam's) well, (3.) the mouth of (Bilaam's) donkey, (4.) the rainbow, (5.) the Mon – Manna, (6.) (Moshe's) staff; (7.) the Shamir, (8.) the writing, (9.) the inscription and (10.) the tablets (of the Ten Commandments).
The Simple Explanation
The Bartenura explains that this Mishnah discusses the end of the sixth day of Creation, Friday afternoon at twilight, immediately before Shabbos. That is when these ten miraculous items were created. The ten items were (1.) the mouth of the earth which would swallow Korach and his band; (2.) the mouth of (Miriam's) well which traveled together with the Jews throughout their 40 years in the wilderness, supplying them with water to drink; (3.) the mouth of (Bilaam's) donkey. On the twilight of that Friday, it was decreed that when the time came, this donkey would have the ability to speak to Bilaam; (4.) the rainbow which appeared in the sky after the Great Flood. It was a sign of a covenant that Hashem would never again destroy the world with a flood; (5.) the Mon – Manna with which Hashem fed the Jewish Nation for forty years in the desert; (6.) (Moshe's) staff with which he performed the miracles at the time of the Exodus, which are described in the Torah; (7.) the Shamir, which was a sort of worm. It was able to slice through stone. It followed a path on the stone, which consisted of a line drawn upon it. In this manner, the rocks which were used to construct the altar in the Bais Hamikdosh were cut to size. It was prohibited for these stones to be hewn with metal implements; hence this miraculous worm was necessary; (8.) the writing, meaning the form of the letters which were engraved upon the two tablets; (9.) the inscription upon the two tablets. The letters went entirely through the stones, yet they could miraculously be read from all four sides; and (10.) the tablets (of the Ten Commandments), which were made of sapphire.
Difficulties in Understanding the Mishnah
In this chapter of Pirkei Avos, the Sages teach us several lists, which are grouped by number. First, we find seven lists, each consisting of ten items. At the very beginning of this chapter, we read that "the world was created with ten utterances." In other words, the first list that the Mishnah teaches us pertains to the Creation of the world. It then goes on to say that "There were ten generations from Adam to Noach." We see that the Mishnah follows the story of Creation with a second list of ten regarding the "crown" of Creation, i.e., the first man. The Sages are teaching us these lists in chronological order; the same is true of the other groups of ten listed in our chapter.
The famous Maharal asks that our Mishnah, which is the last of the ten items, seems to be the exception to this rule. The first Mishnah discusses Creation. It would seem that our Mishnah, which lists those items created after the sixth day, should be the following teaching. Why is this not so? Why is our Mishnah pushed off until the end of the list?
The Explanation
This can be explained as follows. Everything that was listed before our Mishnah is within the realm of nature. It is all connected to the Creation of the world. Even miracles are within the scope of Creation; they are a part of the "chain" of Creation, employing which G-d created (and continues to make) the world. The Holy Temple and the ten miracles which occurred there regularly were also a part of nature, albeit in its ultimate perfection. We are taught that Hashem created this world to have "a dwelling place below." One's dwelling place, his residence, is where his actual being is open for all to see. That is where his essence is revealed. The meaning of "below" is a world where no one would recognize Hashem's presence within Creation—a world where we would see the Creation, without extrapolating the presence of a Creator.
The difference between our Mishnah and the ones preceding it is not just a difference in quantity. There is also a difference in quality. The miracles described in our Mishnah transcend nature entirely. They leave no doubt whatsoever that they are supernatural.
The fact that these ten items are completely and undeniably beyond nature is the very reason that they were created on Friday at twilight.
The Halachic meaning of twilight is the time between sunset and nightfall. Day and night are opposites, yet this period can connect both of them. To connect two opposites, one must be on a level that is greater than both. "Day" and "night" are the most significant expressions of nature. We can see this from the Torah's description of Creation, "And it was evening, and it was morning, one day."
In our Mishnah, the meaning of twilight is far greater. Here we are talking about the twilight of Friday. It does not merely connect day and night; it connects the six weekdays, meaning the act of Creation, and Shabbos, that which transcends Creation. From this, we can see that it is a time that is totally beyond nature. Therefore, it was the time when Hashem created those items that transcend Creation.
We are eagerly awaiting and working toward the days of Moshiach. This is a time that will be a constant Shabbos; we will always be permeated with a light which is beyond the limitations of nature. May we reach that time now!
(Adapted from the Sichah of Shabbos Parshas Behar-Bechukosai, 5723)
