In last week's parsha, the Jews enthusiastically pitched in to donate materials to build the Mishkan. They gave so much that Moshe had to tell them to stop bringing things! This week, we wrap up the account of the building of the Mishkan, which was the final step the Jews needed to take to be deserving of complete forgiveness for the sin of the golden calf.
A Job Well Done
Everything for the Mishkan was finally ready! Betzalel, Ahaliav, and everyone who helped them had worked hard, and what they made was absolutely beautiful. Tall, majestic beams of strong wood, intricately woven and embroidered curtains, shining gold and silver everywhere!
Moshe was the ultimate fundraiser - highly successful and absolutely honest. He wanted to make sure that the people knew that he didn’t take even one bit of gold or silver for himself. So, he figured out exactly how much of each material was donated, and reported the amounts to all of the Jewish people. He also told them the parts of the Mishkan for which each item was used.
Then Moshe asked everyone to bring him the things they had made.
"Beautiful!" he exclaimed, when he saw their handiwork. "You have done a wonderful job! Everything is exactly as HaShem commanded. May the Shechina - HaShem's holy presence - rest upon the Mishkan you have made!"
Now For the Tricky Part
It was the 25th day of Kislev, in the Jewish year 2448, when the work for the Mishkan was completed.
HaShem said, "Moshe, don't put the Mishkan together quite yet. Wait three more months, so that the building will be completed in the month of Nissan."
But even though HaShem did not choose the 25th of Kislev to be the day of the dedication of the Mishkan, He set aside that date for another holiday - Chanukah - which celebrates the rededication of the Second Beit HaMikdash!
Nissan was the perfect month for a happy event like dedicating the Mishkan, because it is a month of joy. It was in Nissan that Avraham and Sarah learned that they would have a son - it was in Nissan that the Jews went out of Egypt - and it is said that it will be in Nissan that the future redemption will come.
Moving In
Moshe spent eight days working on the Mishkan, and on the eight day, which was Rosh Chodesh Nissan, Moshe finished setting it up. The tall, wooden beams for the walls were actually much too heavy for a person to lift and stand on end, but HaShem told Moshe to go through the motions anyway? and the beams miraculously placed themselves into position!
Then Moshe brought in all of the furnishings for HaShem’s house. He put the luchot into the Aron and placed it in the Kodesh Kodashim. He brought in the Menorah and lit its lamps. He brought in the Shulchan and placed 12 loaves of bread on it. He brought in the Mizbach and burned sweet-smelling spices on it. He brought in the Mizbeyach and sacrificed a burnt-offering and a meal-offering. He hung the beautiful curtains inside and outside. He set up the special washing-basin, which the Kohanim would use to wash their hands and feet. And finally, he gave the special, holy garments to the Kohanim and the Kohein Gadol.
Now, the Mishkan was complete!
As soon as the Mishkan was standing, HaShem sent down clouds to completely surround it. There was even a cloud filling the inside of the Mishkan! The clouds were a sign to the people that HaShem’s presence now rested there.
Those weren’t the only clouds that HaShem sent. His Clouds of Glory were back again! When the Jews had made the golden calf, HaShem had taken the Clouds of Glory away, but now that HaShem had forgiven them and the Mishkan was built, the Clouds were back as a sign of HaShem’s love and constant presence.
The Meaning of the Mishkan
The Mishkan was HaShem’s house in the desert. But what does that mean?
The Hebrew word Mishkan comes from the root letters shin-kaf-nun, meaning to rest, which is also the root of the word Shechina, HaShem’s presence. This connection shows that the Mishkan was a special place for the Shechina to rest, in other words, a house for HaShem.
It was there, in the Mishkan, that the Jewish people would always feel HaShem’s presence, as they continued their 40-year journey through the desert wilderness, toward Eretz Yisrael!
CHAZAK CHAZAK V'NITCHAZEK!
We say the words “Chazak, Chazak, V’nit’chazek” when we complete the public reading of each book of the Torah in the synagogue. It means: "Be strong, be strong, and we will all be strengthened!"
