TORAH 4 TEENS

BY TEENS NCSY ISRAEL

Yehuda Bessner Jerusalem Chapter Director (Interim)

The MishkanWithin our Hearts

I always seem to find the Parshiyos regarding the Mishkan some of the hardest to connect with. With all of its complexities and tiny details involved, it may often feel tedious and difficult to fully understand. Moreover, this disconnect could also be attributed to it seemingly being solely historical in nature, and not something that is relatable to our times. Nonetheless, these Parshiyos still happen to make up about one fifth of the entire Torah, more than any other topic or Mitzvah. The fact that the Torah has such a focus on this subject, I believe, is of no coincidence. We must therefore search for a deeper understanding of what the Mishkan represents, and how we can genuinely connect to it nowadays.

Already in last week’s Parsha, the

Abarbanel introduces the Mishkan by first dispelling the notion that Hashem needed the Mishkan to be built as a physical place for Him to dwell. Rather, he explains that the Mishkan’s purpose was to in fact be a symbol for Bnei Yisrael in order to remind them that Hashem is indeed always dwelling among the nation; it’s impractical to believe that Hashem who is not physical would need something physical to reside in. This concept is highlighted in many Psukim associated with the Mishkan, including some from our Parsha such as, ‘לארׂשי ינב ךותב יתנכשו’ ‘I shall dwell amongst Bnei Yisrael’ and then ‘םכותב ינכשל’

‘...to dwell amongst them’- reiterating that the principle purpose of Mishkan is to signify the relationship we have with Hashem in that he dwells among us, and not in it.

This being the case, we can now properly understand that the Mishkan is not simply a historical relic, but rather it imparts a fundamental message to all generations. This idea is in fact explained beautifully by the Alshich HaKadosh who says that Hashem’s dwelling is really amongst each and every Jew, and not limited to the physical building that once was. It is up to each and every one of us to build a Mishkan within our hearts, one that we are constantly working on through Avodas Hashem. Everything that we do should be with a Kodesh mindset, and in doing so strengthen our inner ‘Mishkan’s, and enable our relationship with Hakadosh Baruch Hu to flourish.

Liam Ratner 12th Grade, Jerusalem

The Importance of Details: Lessons from Parshat Tetzaveh

Parshat Tetzaveh presents a detailed account of the Bigdei Kehunah and the consecration of Aaron and his sons as the first kohanim of the Jewish people. The Torah describes in great detail the garments that the kohanim were to wear, the materials that they were made from, and the significance of each item.

One example of the attention to detail in this parsha is the Choshen worn by the Kohen Gadol, which contained twelve precious stones, each representing one of the twelve Shvatim of Bnei Yisrael. Rebbi Yochanan Ben Zakai teaches that the Choshen was intended to bring honor to the Kohanim and to distinguish them from the rest of the people, inspiring them to be more beautiful and holy.

Another example is the Mitznefet worn by the Kohen Gadol on his head, which had a golden plate inscribed with the words “Kadosh LaHashem”. This plate was a symbol of the Kohen Gadol’s dedication to Hashem and his role as a mediator between Hashem and the people. As Rabbi Shimshon Raphael Hirsch explains, the Mitznefet was intended to inspire the Kohen Gadol to maintain a higher level of holiness and purity in his service to Hashem.

These examples remind us of the importance of attention to detail and the significance of even the smallest aspects of our service to Hashem. We should be inspired to put effort and Kavanah to every aspect of our spiritual lives, recognizing that even the smallest details can have profound meaning and significance.

In conclusion, Parshat Tetzaveh should inspire us to recognize the importance of the details and effort that go into every aspect of our service to Hashem. By taking inspiration from the Bigdei Kehunah and their symbolism, we can strive to maintain a higher level of Kedusha and purity in our service to Hashem and to put effort and proper Kavanah into every aspect of our spiritual lives.

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