RABBI BEN ZION SNEH
Written by R’ Avrohom Hillel Reich based on a lesson and story by Harav Ben Tziyon Sneh Shlita
Rashi explains why the opening verse in this week's Parsha contains the word mishkan twice. Rashi tells us, it is because we must know that in the future, two Batei Mikdash, will be destroyed because of our sins.
But, is this really the place to bring up such a subject?
Klal Yisroel are starry-eyed newlyweds, a lifetime of hope and devotion ahead, why the austere hint of a checkered future at this time?
The Baal Elef HaMagen explains by way of a parable.
R’ Reuven needed to visit Africa. It was the late 1800’s, and the area was mostly uncharted territory.
He feared losing any valuables to bandits along the way. Instructing his family to help him prepare for the journey, they were to make sure that nothing of any worth was packed along with his luggage, only essentials.
Imagine his surprise when at the first rest stop after entering the continent, he noticed a valuable diamond ring that his family had neglected to remove from his suitcases.
Hiding the gem in a carefully concealed place in his carry bag, he went onward.
The trip was successful, but mere days before his return, he contracted a dangerous disease common to the desert climate.
Terribly sick, he was unable to secure a trustworthy doctor to cure him from this disease, for lack of funds. It was then that he remembered the diamond ring that had been “mistakenly” packed.
Using this ring for its value, he pawned it safely in order to employ the services of the finest doctor.
Recovering slowly but surely, he was eventually well enough to earn enough money to redeem the ring and head back home again.
In King David’s instruction to Assaf, the conductor was instructed to call the psalm of the Temple’s destruction a mizmor, a song of joy. The Talmud asks, wouldn’t it be more appropriate to call it a kinah, a mournful dirge?
The answer given helps us shift our perspective from one of gloom and doom to eternal gratefulness.
Assaf was encouraged to sing shira, to rejoice that Hashem’s anger was only vented on the wood and stones of the Bais Hamikdash and not on the Jewish people themselves, who though exiled, will one day return to their former glory.
Similarly, although Reuven’s careful plans were not adhered to, potential tragedy was averted by what seemed to be a misguided moment, and this “mistake” saved his very life.
Ultimately, there are no mistakes. Everything that occurs is for our ultimate good
The events of the last five months have been terribly tragic, and so very hard for us to bear – the deaths, the hatred, the fear and the search for meaning. The only way we can possibly get through this difficult period of our history is to remember that Hakadosh Baruch Hu, our loving Father, wants only the best for us. Every single thing that happens to us, no matter how disturbing it appears, is uniquely designed to not only save us from harm, but carries with it an unlimited bundle of goodness and love.
With this realization, the more blessed our lives will be. It is the only way we can view the events that are shaking our world.
Have a beautiful Shabbos!
