Understanding the Parsha according to the teachings of the Rebbe
QUESTION: Why is the making and counting of the vessels an important fulfillment (and not just a necessary precursor) to the purpose of the Mishkan, making a home for G-d in this material world?
ANSWER: A home implies a place that is a receptacle to one’s presence. The construction stage (as opposed to the implementation stage) accomplishes the great task of taking the material world and preparing it as “vessels” to serve HaShem. Making our environment (and ourselves) “vessels” for G-dliness is, in a certain sense, a greater feat than actually bringing G-dliness into our lives. (לקוטי שיחות כרך כה, עמ' 424)
QUESTION: ויעל עליו את העולה ואת המנחה (שמות מ,כט) Just like the first 7 days, on the eighth day Moshe offered all the korbanos for the congregation including the Korban Tamid. Why does the verse not mention that Moshe offer this korban?
ANSWER: The Korban Tamid implies not just a daily service at two different times each day, but a constant avodah which occurs throughout the day. This is the service of a Jew to constantly offer oneself to G-d. This service of consistency comes to all Jews from the main essence of Moshe (a place beyond his name). (לקוטי שיחות כרך ו, עמ' 225)
QUESTION: ובהעלות הענן מעל המשכן יסעו בני-ישראל (שמות מ,לו) What do the journeys of the Jews have to do with the Mishkan? And why does the journey to the Land of Israel have to be when the clouds (the Shechina) leave the Mishkan?
ANSWER: Both questions have the same answer. The purpose of the Mishkan and of all of creation is that the Jews “journey” when the “clouds” are removed. The purpose to do the Will of G-d is when all is hidden and not apparent revealed. This is the Will of G-d that in the time of darkness and Galus, is exactly when we strive to fulfill our holy purpose and travel to the final Geulah. (לקוטי שיחות כרך טז, עמ' 475)
QUESTION: Why did Moshe only count the weight of the items donated and not their value?
ANSWER: Moshe accounted for the general items donated by weight משקל (physical worth) but not by their value ערך (spiritual); Mishkan mainly involved with the physical accounting of deeds. For a person, “weight” is the physical deed, and “erech” is the intentions; Moshe adds “weight” even to those Mitzvos done without proper intention. (לקוטי שיחות כרך כו, עמ' 272)
QUESTION: What does Parshas Pekudei provide that is not in the previous three Parshios regarding the Mishkan?
ANSWER: Terumuh/Tetzvaeh reflects the command from above (arousal from above). Parshas VaYakhel reflects the actualization of the deeds by created beings (arousal from below). Parshas Pekudei is the summation, the drawing down of G-d’s Glory (the connection between G-d and the Jews) (לקוטי שיחות כרך ג , עמ' 933)
