Tezaveh-2016
· The Parsha describes the clothing worn by the Kohane Godol and the finishing touches of the Mishkan.
· URIM VE TUMIM
· The Kohane Godol wore the Choshen - a breast-plate with 12 stones embedded in it. Behind the back of the Choshen was a pocket where the Urim VeTmim was placed.
· Shemos 28:30 – Place into the Choshen the Urim VeTumm –
· Rashi – This is the inscription of the Shem Haforish (Explicit Name). It was placed into the back folds of the Choshen. It caused letters on the stones to light up in answer to questions.
· Yuma 73a – Describes how the Urim ve Tumin were used.
o How did they inquire of the Urim ve Tumim? —
o The questioner faced the Kohane Godol, who directed himself to the Shechina.
o One shouldn’t ask in a loud voice.
o One shouldn’t ask two questions at the same time.
o Although the decree of a Navi can be revoked, the decree of the Urim ve Tumim cannot be revoked.
o Why was it called ‘Urim ve Tumim’?
§ ‘Urim’ because its words are enlightening.
§ ‘Tumim’ because its words are fulfilled
o How did it work? —
§ R. Yochanan said: The letters popped out.
§ Resh Lakish said: The letters joined each other to form words
o No Kohane could use the Urim VeTumim if the Shechina did not rest on him.
· Baba Basra 122a – Describes how Yehoshua and Eleazar, the Kohane Godol, divided up Eretz Yisroel among the tribes.
o Eleazar was wearing the Urim ve Tumim, while Yehoshua and all Bnei Yisrael stood before him.
o An urn containing the names of the 12 tribes, and an urn containing descriptions of the boundaries were placed before him.
o Animated by Ruach Hakodesh, Eleazar gave directions, exclaiming: ‘Zebulun’ is coming up and the boundary lines of Acco are coming up with it.
o Animated again by Ruach Hakodesh, he gave directions, exclaiming: ‘Naphtali’ is coming up and the boundary lines of Gennesar are coming up with it.
o And so was the procedure with all the tribes.
· There are many examples in Tanach were the Urim VeTumim were consulted about important decisions.
· TZITZ
· Shemos 28:36 – You shall make a Tzitz of pure gold, and engrave on it the words “Kodosh LaHashem”…It should be worn on Aharon’s forehead and it will bring Kaporah (atonement)
· Psachim 77 – The Tzitz is Meratzeh (grants forgiveness) when the Kohane Godol is wearing it (according to one opinion). If the majority of the Jews are Tomey, they can still bring Korbonos if the Kohain Godol is wearing the Tzitz.
· SHECHINA OVER THE ARON KODESH
· 29:42 – I will meet with you in the Ohel Moed where I will speak to you. I will meet with the Bnei Yisrael there, and the Ohel Moed will be sanctified BeKvodi (with My Glory).
· Rashi – I will set a time of meeting to speak to you there. …Similar to a king who sets a meeting place where he will address his servants.
· Rashi - Bekvodi – My Shechinah will rest in it.
· Last week’s Parshah Terumah 25:8 – They shall make a Mikdash, and I will then dwell in their midst.
· Succah 5a – How the Shechina came down to speak above the Ark Cover, but not below 10 tefachim, also Moshe & Eliyahu not all the way up to Shamayim, up to 10 tfachim.
o And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the ark-cover
o R. Yossi said, the Shechinah didn’t descend all the way to earth, nor did Moshe or Eliyahu ever ascend to Shamayim, as it is written, ‘The Shemayim is the Shemayim of the Hashem, but the earth He gave to the sons of men’.
o But didn’t the Shechinah descend to earth? It says, And Hashem came down to Har Sinai? — That was above ten tefachim from the summit.
o But doesn’t it say, And His feet shall stand that day on Har Hazasim? (Zecharia)— That will be above 10 tfachim.
o But doesn’t it say, And Moshe went up to Hashem? — That was to a level lower than 10 tfachim from Shamayim.
o But doesn’t it say, And Eliyah went up by a whirlwind into Shamayim? –That was to a level lower than 10 tfachim.
o But doesn’t it say, Moshe seized hold of Hashem’s throne? The throne was lowered 10 Tfachim from Shamayim so that Moshe could grab hold of it.
· BAS KOL
· Moed Katan 9a –
o The Jewish people celebrated when Shlomo Ha'Melech finished building the Beis ha'Mikdash.
o They celebrated for seven days prior to Sukkos (Melachim I 8:65). The Jewish people didn’t fast on Yom Kippur that year because of the celebration of the Chanukas ha'Mikdash.
o Hashem indicated that he was pleased with their decision, by sending a Bas Kol to proclaim that they were all destined to eternal life in Olam ha'Ba.
· SECOND BAIS HAMIKDOSH NOT ON THE SAME LEVEL
· Yuma 21b – There were five things that were in the first Bais Hamikdosh but not the second Bais Hamikdosh. Three of them:
o the Shechinah
o Ruach Hakodesh
o the Urim-ve-Thummim
· Shabbos 33 - The punishment for murder is the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash and the Shechinah leaving Eretz Yisrael - If the people will Metamay the land, they won’t be able to dwell in it and the Shechinah will leave.
·
· THIS IS ALL SEEMS LIKE SCIENCE FICTION
o Urim Ve Tumim – that gave answers
o Tzitz - that gave atonement
o The Shechina - that talked from above the Aron Kodesh
· FIRST POINT - IT DIDN’T PREVENT PEOPLE FROM SINNING
o After all the supernatural miracles described here, in the next Parsha is the sin of the Egel, the Golden Calf
o Right after the first Bais Hamikdosh was built, after Shlomo Hamelech died, Yeruvam Ben Nevat took most of the Jewish People away, and he set up Golden Calves to entice them, and he prevented them from coming to the Bais Hamikdosh
· SECOND POINT - HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO US TODAY
· We can bring the Shechina to our lives every day.
· Brochas 6 –
o How do you know that if ten people pray together the Shechina is with them? It says: ‘Hashem stands in the congregation of Hashem’.
o How do you know that if three are sitting as a Bais Din the Shechina is with them? It says: In the midst of the judges, Hashem judges.
o How do you know that if two are sitting and studying the Torah together the Shechina is with them? It says: Those that fear Hashem speak with each other, and Hashem hears.
o How do you know that even if one man sits and studies the Torah, that the Shechina is with him? It says: In every place where I cause My name to be mentioned I will come to you and bless you.
· Rambam (Hilchos Beis ha'Bechirah 6:14,15): The Kedushah of the Azarah and Yerushalayim is permanent, because their Kedushah comes from the Shechinah, which is not Batel, did not cease.
· The Zohar says (Shemos 5b): "The Shechinah never departed from the Western Wall of the Temple”
· CONCLUSION - This Parsha talks about great supernatural miracles in the Mishkan
o The Urim VeTumim
o The Tzitz
o The Shechina talking above the Aron Kodesh
o Hashem setting a meeting place to talk with the Jewish People
· We can bring the miracle of Shechina into our lives by:
o Davening in a Minyan
o Going to the Kotel
o Learning Torah