39 melachot

This week’s parsha begins with Hashem warning Bnai Israel to observe Shabbot and to refrain from the 39 melachot- creative activities- that were used to create the Mishkan. Generally speaking, we tend to think that ‘work’ is forbidden on Shabbot. However, we see the verse doesn’t state work- avoda- but rather it states melacha- creative activity. So what is a creative act you ask? Any type of activity that creates a change that is effective for the purpose of improvement. Even more so, a melacha is an activity that improves the world Hashem created.                       

Essentially, Shabbot is a day where we cease to create. Rather, we should spend the day taking pleasure in the spiritual and physical accomplishments we created during the week. Shabbot is a day of deep contemplation that allows us to deepen our belief in Hashem. Moreover, this Shabbot we should all recap on the many accomplishments we have made throughout the week and take pleasure in them all. Shabbot Shalom!

           

DID YOU KNOW? GENEROSITY

 

The parsha continues with Moshe calling together Bnai Israel to give them the instructions to build the Mishkan. Moshe told them that Hashem’s shechina- G-d’s presence- would rest in the Mishkan, showing that Hashem had forgiven them for the sin of the golden calf. When Bnai Israel had heard they had been forgiven, they were elated! They immediately donated as much silver, gold, and their personal jewelry as possible. Because of those donations, they had made amends of the guilt they felt for contributing their jewelry for the golden calf. Moreover, the women who refused to hand over their jewelry to create the golden calf donated all the jewelry they possessed to the Mishkan. The Jews had continued their donations to the Mishkan to a point that Moshe had to tell people to stop giving! From this, the Midrash tells us that the Jews acquired the character trait of generosity.

            Even today, we can see how this trait has become internalized in the Jewish nation. The Midrash characterizes the Jewish people as being compassionate, bashful, and a nation that performs chesed- performing good deeds and assisting others. From this, we should all continuously strive to live up to this midda- character trait- and make sure we channel our generosity according to the will of the Torah and Hashem.