For the Week of February 16th – 22nd; I Adar 16 – 22; parasha Vaykahal

We would like people to be aware of some of the Jewish things and thoughts taking place in Harrison NY.

In less than a month Purim will be here.  It starts after the Sabbath on March 15th and continues until dark on Sunday March 16th.  The Young Israel of Harrison will be reading the Megillah, the Book of Esther on Saturday Night and Sunday morning.  Sunday morning after the Megillah reading, there will be a Purim carnival for children and refreshments for adults.  All are welcome and there is no charge.  For more information visit www.YIOH.org.

Recently a number of stories have appeared in the media relating to issue of young women, some whom are not from orthodox backgrounds, wishing put on tefillin during services at their modern orthodox high school’s daily services.  In an effort to clarify what modern orthodoxy has to say on this issue, the Young Israel of Harrison will be sponsoring a lecture and holding a discussion presented by its spiritual leader Rabbi Yaakov Bienenfeld.  The lecture is entitled “Wrapping it Up-The Halacha of Women donning Tefillin.”  It will be held on this coming Tuesday night, February 25th at 7PM at the Young Israel of Harrison, 91 Union Avenue, Harrison NY.  The lecture is open to all.

Those are some of the Jewish things taking place in Harrison, here is a Jewish thought.

This week we read the Tora portion (“parasha”) known as “Vaykahal” (Exedous 35:1-38:20).  There are several valuable lessons we can learn from this week’s parasha.  One such lesson is as follows.

In this week’s Tora reading we are told how the people brought more than sufficient materials for construction of the Tabernacle used in the Wilderness known a the “the Mishkan.”  Both those involved in the construction and Moshe seem concerned that more material than necessary was being brought.  Why would that be the case?  The answer may be hinted to us by the juxtaposition of the description of the Mishkan’s construction and the laws of the Sabbath.  Recall that when G-d first provided the people with Manna, Moshe told the nation to only take what they needed for a given day but on Friday to take a double portion to have food for the Sabbath.  Those people who took extra during the week found the extra spoiled by the next day.  Those that failed to take extra on Friday found themselves without on the Sabbath.  Both actions represent a lack of faith in G-d’s ability to provide for the people’s needs.  Moshe did not want a repeat of this occurrence.  Moshe wanted the people to bring only what was needed for the immediate construction of the Mishkan and not to hoard material in case some item would be needed at a later date.  Moshe wanted the people to understand that G-d will always provide for the future.  Moshe wanted the people to have, and to manifest, faith in G-d.  So why is there no criticism when the Tora states that: “the materials were sufficient for all of the work that was to be done and there was extra.” (Shemot 36:7)?  The difference may be that hoarding for personal needs displays a lack of faith but generosity in contributing for potential future communal needs shows a love for one’s brothers and sisters which is to be encouraged.

The Young Israel of Harrison, New York (YIOH) is a Modern Orthodox synagogue offering an intimate religious and communal experience.  Sabbath morning services begin at 9 am, mincha/maariv services on Friday and Saturday vary with sundown, and services on Sunday morning are held at 8 am.  For those who would like more information or would like to spend Shabbos in the area, visit the Young Israel of Harrison’s website at www.yioh.org or email Yiohnews@aol.com

Rabbi Bienenfeld gives weekly Talmud and Chumash classes at 7:00 pm on Monday and Tuesday evenings, respectively.  Please check the calendar posted on YIOH.org to confirm the schedule.

© W. Fraenkel 2014