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The Assembling of the Assembly
By Avi Lazerson
The Torah Portion of Va-Yakhel starts by Moses calling the Jewish People to together. After assembling all of the Jewish Nation, Moses speaks, "These are the words which the Lord has commanded that you should do them...
Although the simple meaning of the text concerns the building of the Miskon, the temporary dwelling place of the prescence of G-d, the verse may be interpreted in another vein.
The Hebrew word devarim can mean words or things. Together with the preceding verse which pertains to the assembly of the Jewish People, and Moses assembled the Jewish People, saying: These are the things which the Lord has commanded that you should do them. The verse takes on a new meaning.
Here the meaning becomes: the things to do is the assembly. For the Jewish people to gather together is a great thing. Nothing compares to the gathering of the Jews in their homeland and living together in peace. When Jews can live together in harmony, they bring a holiness down upon themselves from above. Even the angels descend to witness the prescence of the G-d's holiness on His children.
Like a father who has many children of various personalities and likings. Each child different from the next. What gives the father happiness? When his children, in spite of their differences, can live together in peace and harmony.
Our Father in heaven, also derives tremendous pleasure when His children, diverse though they may be, can dwell together in peace and social harmony.
May we merit to see the ingathering of the exiles from the four corners of the earth and the rebuilding of the Holy Temple.
Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom !
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