Shemos, 26:28: “The center crossbar shall go through the middle of the beams, from one end to the other.”
Targum Yonasan, Shemos, 26:28: “…from the tree that Avraham planted in Be’er Sheva.”
Midrash Tanchuma, Pekudei, Os 11: “…HaKadosh Baruch Hu planned to mix the simcha of the Mishkan with the simcha of the day that Yitzchak was born, because he was born on the first of Nissan.”
Shemos, 26:15: “And you will make the planks for the Mishkan of standing cedar trees.”
Rashi, Shemos, 26:15, Dh: V’asisa: “…Yaakov Avinu planted cedar trees in Mitzrayim and when he died, he commanded his sons to bring them with them when they left Mitzrayim and he told them that in the future, HaKadosh Baruch Hu would command them to make a Mishkan in the desert from cedar trees, ‘see that they will be ready in your hands’…”
In Parshas Terumah the instructions for the Binyan HaMishkan were given. The Ramban[1] makes an interesting point – he writes that the Mishkan existed in the world in a different form in the time of the Avos. He explains that with the Binyan HaMishkan the Jewish people reached the level of the Avos whose Ohalim were equivalent to the Mishkan. Rashi[2] also makes this point – he writes that a cloud representing the Shechina was permanently attached to the Ohalim of Avraham and Yitzchak in the form. Based on these ideas, the Chikrei Lev[3] asserts that in order for the Mishkan to be able to dwell in this world, it was necessary for it to have the techunos (characteristics) of each of the Avos.
He then outlines how the Mishkan is connected to each Av:[4] He begins with Avraham Avinu – the Targum Yonasan[5] teaches that the briach hatichon – the central beam in the Mishkan – was from the tree known as Eishel Avraham in Be’er Sheva where Avraham would offer food and shelter to guests and bring them to recognition of HaShem. How did this beam reach the Jews in the desert? The Targum Yonasan relates that when the Jews crossed the Yam Suf, Malachim cut the tree and threw it into the sea and it was floating on the water. A Malach then announced that this was the tree that Avraham planted in Be’er Sheva. The Jewish people took the beam and made it in the briach hatichon. It miraculously fit into the Mishkan by folding like a snake and when the Mishkan was taken down it would unfold. The Chikrei Lev explains that it was through that tree that Avraham unified humanity with HaShem in this world, and therefore the wood of that tree was the central plank of the Mishkan that served as a unifying point to serve HaShem.
The connection between the Mishkan and Yitzchak Avinu takes a different form. The Midrash Tanchuma notes that the Mishkan was established davke on the day that Yitzchak was born. Yitzchak was the pillar of Avodas HaShem, therefore the Mishkan, the central focus of Avodah had to draw from his merit.
With regard to Yaakov Avinu, Rashi cites the Midrash that brings that Yaakov planted Cedar trees in Egypt so that the Jewish people would bring them with them to use them for the beams of the Mishkan. Yaakov represents Emes and the Mishkan taught about the truth of HaShem’s existence and presence in the world.
We have seen how the Avos do not just provide the foundation for the Jewish people, but that they also provide the foundation of the Mishkan through their varying contributions to bringing HaShem into the world. One interesting point that emerges from here is the emphasis, with regard to Avraham Avinu of his role increasing Kavod Shamayim as opposed to his more commonly discussed trait of Chessed. This teaches that in truth, the source of all his Chessed and efforts to bring mankind closer to HaShem emanated from a love of HaShem more than even his great love of others.
One Rav involved in Kiruv Rechokim once noted that people think that Kiruv Rechokim is primarily in the realm of Bein Adam L’Chaveiro in that it helps the person spiritually. However, Rav Noach Weinberg zt”l used to stress more the aspect of Bein Adam L’Makom and how HaShem is in such pain at the Chillul HaShem that millions of Jews have no connection to their Father in Heaven.[6] With this attitude, questions about whether there is a halachic obligation in Bein Adam L’Chaveiro to secular Jews are moot[7], as HaShem wants all His children to return to Him. This is why Avraham’s contribution to the Mishkan was rooted in Bein Adam L’Makom as much as the other Avos.
We have seen how the Avos brought awareness of HaShem into the world and that this was the foundation to the Hakamas HaMishkan. May we merit to emulate them.
SHORT VORT, Rabbi Moshe Kormornick. Published by Adir Press. $9.99 in stores worldwide and online here
Whether you are looking for something meaningful on the Parsha, an uplifting thought for Yom Tov, or have been asked to speak at a Simcha – “Short Vort” is the book for you! With over 140 incredible short vorts packed with stories and valuable life messages, you will never be lost for something inspiring to say.
Rabbi Moshe Kormornick is a popular writer whose words are enjoyed by thousands of readers every week.
