Parshas Vayakel - "What Do We Want Our Names to Be?"

Quickie/Funfact: Shemos 35:2 "On six days, work may be done, but the seventh day shall be holy for you, a day of complete rest for Hashem; whoever does work on it shall be put to death."

Rav Baruch Simon Shlit"a quotes in his sefer, Imrei Baruch, a Shl"A HaKadosh (Meseches Shabbos P'Ner Mitzvah O'9) that has to do with the way that we greet each other on Shabbos. The Shl"A comments that it is most appropriate that when a person greets a friend on Shabbos he not greet him in the same way that he would greet his friend during the week (Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Night). Rather he should try to say "Shabbat Shalom" in order to specifically be mikayeim the mitzvah of "Zachor es Yom HaShabbos". Furthermore it is specifically fitting to finish off the greeting with the word "Shalom" because Shabbos is a day of peace. It is the responsibility of every person to distance himself from anger as much as possible on Shabbos.

(Shemos 35:30) "Moshe said to the Children of Israel, See Hashem has proclaimed by name, Betzalel son of Uri son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah."

The Midrash Tanchuma on this weeks Parsha says that whenever a person takes part in a abundance of mitzvos he acquires a name for himself. The Midrash continues to explain that a person is given three names within their life time. One name is given by ones parents, one name is given by ones friends, and one name is given based how a person distinguishes himself in life. No person could be more exemplary of this midrash other than Bitzalel, he created a great name for himself and therefore merited to build the Mishkan.

Bitzalel acted skillfully by preparing to erect the Mishkan by acquired wisdom, understanding, and knowledge from Hashem. For the verse says, (Shemos 35:31-32) "He filled with Godly spirit, with wisdom, insight, and knowledge, and with every craft. To weave designs, to work with gold, silver and copper." Nonetheless it is the Jewish belief that a person cannot accomplish anything that he was not destined to initially accomplish. From Bitzalel's birth he was destined to be a vessel that was to be utilized for the good of Klal Yisrael in order to build the Mishkan. Nonetheless a person cannot become something that they do not bring upon themselves. Bitzalel honed his skills and used them to serve Hashem and for the betterment of Klal Yisrael.

Rav Eliezer Simcha Weiss notes that according to the Midrash each person has three names: The first is given from one's parents, the second is given by one's friends, and the last which a person makes for himself. Bitzalel was not his first or his second name, rather Bitzalel was his third and most important name, it was the one that he had made for himself because of his many merits during life.

Although we can change our legal names, when we are in the earliest stage of infancy our parents give us a name that we identify ourselves with. Often times our friends will give us an additional name that somewhat represents a few of our character traits and the surroundings in which we dwell. Our real name however, is the name that we create for ourselves. The name that we create based on the way that we chose to lead our lives.

Bitzalel chose to live in the shade of G-d, thus he merited having an honorable name. What do we want our names to be?

Have a Fantastic Shabbos.......or should I say SHABBAT SHALOM!

SHAAABOS YOOM MENUCHA!

At the time of Matan Torah, Hakadosh Baruch Hu called down to Klal Yisroel and he said, “My child! I have a great present to give to you, but I will only give it to you if you keep my Torah and its Mitzvos.” Klal Yisroel responded curiously, “Ribbono Shel Olam! What conditional present do you have for us that we can only receive if we keep your Torah?! Hashem answered, “Olam Haba [The World to Come]”. Klal Yisroel anxiously responded, “But how are we supposed to aspire for something that we cannot comprehend? Please, show us an example.” Accepting his nations proposal Hashem answers, “This is Shabbos, for it is 1/60^th of Olam Haba, for Olam Haba is entirely Shabbos." - Osios DiR'Akiva

People get discouraged by the concept of Olam Haba, they feel that it is too distant from reality and that it is an unattainable goal. The truth of the matter is, that if we picture attaining Olam Haba as being similar to the way that one attains Shabbos (1/60^th of Olam Haba), then it makes Olam Haba all that much more feasible.

Shabbos is the paradigm of completion. After six days of creation the entire world was seemingly lacking nothing. During these days even the angels were created (See Ramban). One Shabbos came however, the world realized that something in fact had been missing, Menucha (rest).

Breishis Rabba brings a parallel mashal to the story of creation. There was once a king who made a complete and extravagant wedding. He even made a pristine canopy that was perfect for the ceremony and the later wedding festivities. Nevertheless, something was still missing, the Kala (bride), who was eventually subject to walk under it. The same was the story of the world during creation. It seemed that after six days the world was complete, lacking nothing! Then Shabbos came, and they came to a stunning realization; Shabbos was what the world needed to be truly complete. This day of Sabbath, is the crux of an existential but yet spiritual existence, only through it can the Shechina dwell in this world in order to weekly complete the creation of the world.*

* Michtav Mi'Eliyahu, Beginning of Krach Beis

Aiding G-d in the Creation of the World

On Friday night it is customary to say, “Vayichulu Hashamayim Vihaaretz” both in shul as well as over a cup of wine. The question is however, why is this paragraph in specific so essential to Shabbos that it has to be said so many times?

The purpose of saying these specific psukim preceding the actually bracha on the wine is because these verses are testimony that Hakadosh Baruch Hu created the world in six days and that he rested on the seventh.

The Zohar on Parshas Vayakhel even goes so far as to say that one, who says these words, has atoned for his sins. It is written in the Or Zaruah, that one says it three times because the word “asher” is written three times in the passage. This “asher” is corresponding to the passage of Parah Aduma which also has the word “asher” written three times. We therefore derive from here that anyone who says “Vayichula” three times will be atoned from all of their sins.

It is written in the Gemara (Shabbos 119b) however, that one who says, “Vayichulu…” has not necessarily atoned for his sins but he has in fact acted as a partner with Hakadosh Baruch Hu in the creation of the world.

It can therefore be seen that saying Vayichulu on Friday night is an extra special prayer that is essential in the observance of Shabbos. It is therefore understandable as to why an emphasis is placed on saying it.

Petting a Pet on Shabbos

The Gemara Shabbos 128b says that one is not allowed to move animals on Shabbos. In the Halachik jargon, animals are considered to be like sticks and stones (Muktza Machmas Gufo) which are not permissible on Shabbos. Being that there is no conceivable use for them on Shabbos it is therefore Assur to utilize them.

This ruling is quoted by the Shulchan Aruch O.C. 308:39 and most later poskim, and no distinction is drawn between farm animals and household pets. Some pokim (Kaf HaChaim and others) even include “playful” animals in this prohibition.

Other Poskim however DO make a distinction between farm animals and household pets. Their opinion is that a pet is considered like a household item, similar to a toy or a picture, and therefore is not classified as muktzeh.

A proof for this, is mentioned in the Gemara when talking about when a person’s hands are wet on Shabbos. One of the remedies listed is wiping them on an animal’s tail.

If people choose to be lenient in this matter, they definitely have whom to rely upon(R' SZ Auerbach).

(R' Moshe Feinstein had conflicting views which requires a deeper analysis)

The Mishna Brura 305:70 and the Chazon Ish say that if a pet is in distress, one may be lenient and move it or carry it.

* Nothing that is said in this post should be done LaMaisa without first discussing it w/ an official Rabbinic Authority.