Hammer Time by Rabbi Shalom Hammer
 Terumah 5766

Parshat Truma introduces the Klei Hamishkan which serviced the tabernacle and also related intrinsic philosophical messages to Bnei Yisrael.

Two of the Klei Hamishkan that stood in the Azara, the antechamber outside the Kodesh Hakadashim, were the Shulchan and the Menora. The Shulchan was adorned by the Lechem Hapanim, loaves of bread, while the flames of the Menorah burned continuously. Rav Shlomo Aviner explains that these utensils exhibited a conceptual partnership. Man must process wheat in order to produce bread, and therefore the Shulchan with the Lechem Hapanim, represented Avoda, the impact man can have through his work. The Menorah, on the other hand, is representative of the Torah as the Passuk says,
“Ki ner mitzvah vetorah or”.

Bnei Yisrael’s obligation is to combine both of these concepts, Torah VeAvodah, in order to promote development. However, both the Shulchan and the Menorah faced the direction of one room, the Kodesh Hakadashim which contained the Aron Kodesh exclusively. The Aron Kodesh held in it the Luchot Habrit. This emphasizes the primary focus and confirms that the essential ingredient towards Kedusha is exclusively Torah.

The Aron Kodesh was transported by the Badim-poles. These poles were never removed from the Aron even when it rested for long periods of time in the Mishkan. The Meshech Chachma explains that the poles were demonstrative of our obligation to carry the Torah and incorporate it into our lives in all activities. Therefore the poles were never removed because of the obligation to learn and infuse Torah constantly.

Meila is using Hekdesh improperly. It prohibits someone from taking an item that is reserved for the Mishkan, and using it for a mundane purpose. Hashem’s presence, the shechina, illuminated the Mishkan. The light of the Menorah guaranteed that Bnei Yisrael would benefit only from the Menorah as opposed to Hashem’s illumination, which would translate into Meila. The Menorah provided the Mishkan with light and consequently, reminded Bnei Yisrael of Hashem’s continuous presence.

The Mishna in Avot states,
“Yafe Talmud Im Derech Eretz”.
One interpretation of this Mishna is that we are obligated to combine both the secular world within the framework of the Torah world and consequently sanctify both through the philosophy of Torah Veavodah. The Klei Hamishkan induce this message but continuously remind us that this sanctity is achieved only when Torah remains the essential ingredient.

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Rabbi Shalom Hammer lives in Israel and is currently on shlichut serving as Rabbi of Beth Jacob Congregation Columbus Ohio. Rabbi Hammer is a member of the IDF Rabbinate and is a popular teacher in many institutions in Israel for both Israeli and American students. Rabbi Hammer’s unique experiences have enabled him to lecture and serve as a Scholar in Residence in many communities throughout the United States.
Rabbi Hammer can be reached at 614-542-7644 or shalom@bjcolumbus.org

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