Vaiakhel - 09/03/2024

AND THEY CAME, EVERY ONE WHOSE HEART STIRRED HIM UP. This is said with reference to the wise men who did the work, for we do not find the use of this phrase, “the stirring up of the heart,” in connection with those who merely brought the donations; Scripture rather mentions “generosity of heart” with reference to them. Now the reason for using such a phrase, whose heart stirred him up, is because they undertook to do the work, although there was no one amongst them who had learned these crafts from an instructor, or had trained his hands at all to do them. Rather, a person who felt in his nature that he knew how to do such skills, his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Eternal to come before Moses and say to him, “I will do all that my lord speaks.” I have already mentioned this in another section. Thus Scripture is stating that there came before Moses every one whose heart stirred him up to undertake the work, and every one whom his spirit made willing brought the offering. Then Moses said to all of them that G-d had called by name Bezalel, and Oholiab. Afterwards Moses called them and every wise-hearted man to come before him, and he gave them the whole donation [brought by the people so that they could proceed to do the work].

MEN AND WOMEN. The meaning of al nashim (and women) is, with women. Al here is similar to al (with) in with (al) the bread of the first-fruits for a wave-offering (Lev. 23:20). There are many other such instances.

ויבואו האנשים על הנשים, together with the women who were contributing voluntarily. The men accompanied the women to indicate that the women had their approval.

“And the chieftains of Israel brought close” (Numbers 7:2) – why did the chieftains come with alacrity to bring [their gifts] first, whereas they were slothful in the construction of the tabernacle and only brought the onyx stones and the stones for setting last? Because when Moshe said, “All the generous hearted ones should bring offerings to the Lord for the construction of the tabernacle,” and did not say [it] to the leaders, it was bad in their eyes that he did not tell them to bring [it]. They said, “Let people bring what they will bring, and we will fill in what is missing.” The entire Jewish people rejoiced and happily brought every gift, and did it with alacrity. See what is written, “And the men came along with the women” (Exodus 35:22) – as they were pushing each other and men and women were coming mixed together. And they brought all of the gift in two mornings, as it is stated (Exodus 36:3), “they continued to bring freewill offerings to him morning after morning (literally in the morning, in the morning)”; and it is written (Exodus 36:6), “And the material was sufficient.” After two days, the chieftains sought to give a gift, but they were unable. For Moshe had already commanded, “and they had a call go out in the camp (to stop), etc.” So the chieftains were distressed that they had not merited [to contribute] to the gifting of the tabernacle. They said, “Since we did not merit in the gifting of the tabernacle, let us give the garments of the high priest.” This is that which is written (Exodus 35:27), “And the chieftains brought onyx stones, etc.” The Holy One, blessed be He, said, “[About] my children who showed alacrity, let it be written that they brought and there was left over; and [about] the chieftains who were slothful, let a letter be lacking from their name.” As, in fact, “And the chieftains,” is written lacking a yod. When the tabernacle was completed, they came first and brought an offering with alacrity. That is that which is written, “And the chieftains of Israel brought close, etc.” They said, “Behold it is the time that we shall bring sacrifices with joy, that the Divine Presence has descended upon the work of our hands.” Since the tabernacle was done and it was not lacking anything, they said, “What can we bring?” They went and brought carts upon which the tabernacle could be carried. And who gave them this advice? The tribe of Yissachar. As this is what they told them, “Is this tabernacle that you made to fly in the air? Rather, donate carts that you should carry it in them.” That is why it is written, “And the chieftains of Israel brought close” – since they were consoled about that which they did earlier. “And the chieftains of Israel brought close” – I understand [from this] that they were commoners and were appointed. [Hence] we learn to say (Numbers 7:2), “the heads of their fathers’ houses” – and not [just], the heads of fathers’ houses. Moreover [their fathers] were also tribal chieftains – that is that which is written, “these were the chieftains of the tribes.” [Hence] they were chieftains who were sons of chieftains. “These were the chieftains of the tribes” – these were the ones who were appointed over them in Egypt: “And the overseers of the Children of Israel were beaten” (Exodus 5:14). “They were the ones who stood by during the counting” – for the counting of the encampments, as you say (Numbers 1:4), “Along with you, there shall be one man for each tribe, etc.”

MISHNAH: As Avot melachot são 40 menos 1. Semear; Arar; Colher; Agrupar feixes; Debulhar; Dispersar; Catar; Moer; Peneirar; Preparar massa; Assar. Tosquiar a lã; Lavar a lã; Desembaraçar a lã; Tingir a lã; Fiar; Tecer; Dar dois nós; Tecer dois fios; Separar duas linhas; Atar; Desatar; Coser dois pontos; Rasgar para costurar dois pontos. Caçar um cervo; Abater; Raspar o couro; Curtir o couro; Alisar o couro; Demarcar o couro; Cortar; Escrever duas letras; Apagar para escrever duas letras. Construir; Demolir; Acender fogo; Apagar o fogo; Martelar; Transportar algo desde um ambiente a outro. Estas são as avot melachot, 40-1.

HALACHÁ: "Estas são as avot melachot, 40-1". De onde tiramos da Torá as avot melachot? Rabi Shmuel bar Nachman em nome de Rabi Ionatan: Correspondem às 40-1 melachot na Torá. Vieram perante Rabi Acha: Todas as vezes que aparece melachot, são duas... Rebi Iossei beRebi Bun em nome de Rebi Shmuel bar Nachamani: Correspondem às 40-1 vezes que estão escritas no Mishkan 'avoda' e 'melachá". Rebi Iossei ben Chanina disse: Não está dito "Está é a palavra" e sim "Estas são as palavras". Davar, divrei, devarim. Daqui são as avot e as toledot.